Son celebrates his goal
Tottenham eventually edged a seven-goal thriller
Tottenham have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after they beat Manchester United 4-3 in a dramatic clash.
Spurs took the lead after just 15 minutes when Dominic Solanke pounced to tuck home a rebound following some poor goalkeeping from Altay Bayindir. And Tottenham doubled their advantage early in the second-half, with Dejan Kulusevski firing past Bayindir after a lacklustre clearance.
Solanke then quickly made it 3-0 with an excellent goal, but Spurs ended up gifting United a lifeline through Fraser Forster. The veteran goalkeeper made two horrific errors that allowed substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo to score, piling the pressure back on Spurs for the final 20 minutes.
However, the pressure relented when Heung-min Son scored directly from a corner to restore Spurs' two-goal cushion. Jonny Evans did make it 4-3 in added time when he headed home from a corner, but it was too late for United as they crashed out of the competition.
Here are five talking points from north London...
Why Tottenham fans released yellow balloons during Man Utd clash
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Man Utd fans make feelings clear with Marcus Rashford banner in away end at Tottenham](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manutd-fans-banner-marcus-rashford-34348663)
Still no Rashford
Marcus Rashford's absence from the matchday squad cast yet more doubt over his Old Trafford future, with the forward admitting ahead of the game that he felt "ready for a new challenge" after being axed for the 2-1 win over Manchester City last weekend.
Amorim did insist he wants Rashford to stay and when asked about his continued absence ahead of the game, the Portuguese said: "It's selection. The players I feel are ready to cope with the demands of playing a strong game. I try to visualise that all week and then make my selection.
"It's always the same, with every player - not just Marcus. In the end, I have to make a selection and I did that." And with some fans also unveiling a banner calling for him to leave the club, it remains to be seen if there is any way back for Rashford.
Man Utd fans unveiled a banner highlighting their feelings on Marcus Rashford
Bayindir's error
Backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has only played for United in the Carabao Cup so far this season but he failed to make the most of his opportunity against Spurs, with the 26-year-old at fault for the first goal.
Solanke fired Tottenham ahead in the 15th minute after Bayindir parried a long-range effort from Pedro Porro into his path. "The goalkeeper has to push it wide, not into the danger zone," fumed United legend Gary Neville while commentating for Sky Sports.
"Although you can argue the Man Utd defenders are sleeping, they could have helped him [Bayindir] out. Solanke finishes it really well, he does what all good strikers do but sniffing where the ball may end up, but it is a gift."
Altay Bayindir was at fault for Tottenham's first goal (
Image:
Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Solanke's excellent record continues
Dominic Solanke continued his brilliant run of form against the Red Devils, with the England international netting a brace.
The striker has now scored five goals in his last four appearances against United and he is a part of a thrilling Spurs attack alongside James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son that can cause most teams nightmares on their day.
"Solanke then pretty does pretty much what he wants and Man Utd just cannot get near Spurs' front players," Neville said after Solanke's second. "I said earlier that every one of their attackers would get in the United side."
Dominic Solanke starred for Tottenham (
Image:
Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
"Appalling" Martinez
Lisandro Martinez was at fault for Tottenham's second goal, with Neville branding his defending "appalling".
Martinez tamely attempted to clear the ball away from danger after James Maddison crossed it into the box, but his effort fell straight to Kulusevski who took full advantage. "A blistering start to the second half from Spurs, but Martinez's clearance is appalling," Neville fumed.
"It is wimpish, unlike Kulusevski's finish. Amorim has been let down by two mistakes and you just cannot get away from the fact the players are not at a high enough level."
Fraser Forster made two huge errors ( Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Don't Miss
Forster's nightmare
Tottenham looked as though they had one foot in the semi-finals when Solanke put them 3-0 up, but two horrific errors from Fraser Forster gifted United a way back into the game.
On both occasions Forster, who has had an extended run in goal for Tottenham with Guglielmo Vicario out injured, failed to properly clear the ball after he was closed down and allowed Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo to score easy goals.
"This is one of the most Tottenham things you'll see," Neville said after the second goal. "What are they doing? Oh Fraser, he thinks he's got time, he thinks he's got an age, but Amad closes down with unbelievable tenacity. It's brilliant from Amad but awful from Spurs."
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