Courtesy: Google
On Thursday, December 19, Tottenham defeated Manchester United in a high-scoring EFL Cup quarter-final by 4-3, to take another big step towards their first trophy in over 16 years. At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, manager Ange Postecoglou’s side were 3-0 up at the hour mark, but within a spell of just over seven minutes, their lead was cut down to one, but the vital late goal from Son Heung-min proved to be enough for them to book a place in the semi-final of the EFL Cup.
In the first half, Dominic Solanke opened the scoring for Tottenham in the 15th minute, while his second goal in the 54th minute made it 3-0 after Dejan Kulusevski had put his name on the scoresheet at the beginning of the second half. After the hour mark, Manchester United started to make a comeback with a goal from Joshua Zirkzee in the 63rd minute before the high-flying Amad Diallo made it 2-3 for Manchester United in the 70th minute.
Son Heung-min's goal put the EFL Cup quarter-final beyong Manchester United
When it seemed like Manchester United would get an equaliser to set-up a grandstand finish in the EFL Cup quarter-final clash against Tottenham, a Son Heung-min goal in the 88th minute knocked the wind out of their sails. Jonny Evans made it 3-4 in the second half injury time for Ruben Amorim’s side, but it didn’t prove to be enough as the hosts managed to hold on to their slender lead, to make the cup semi-final under Ange Postecoglou.
Shortly after the quarter-final round of matches in the EFL Cup were completed, the draw for the semi-final round was confirmed as Tottenham are set to host Liverpool at home in the first leg before travelling to Anfield for the second leg. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, Arsenal will be taking on Newcastle in the first leg at the St James’ Park before hosting them for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
A potential North London derby at the Wembley Stadium between Tottenham and Arsenal, to crown the new winners of the EFL Cup early next year seems like a real possibility at this stage of the ongoing 2024-25 season.
