Tottenham won a chaotic seven-goal thriller to advance into the Carabao Cup semi-finals at the expense of Manchester United where goalkeeping mistakes were frequent. Six goals in the second half arrived with half of those coming directly from unforced errors.
Spurs opened the scoring early on through Dominic Solanke with Dejan Kulusevski going close to doubling his side's advantage. The Swede did eventually grab a goal though as he turned home a loose ball following a Son Heung-min pullback.
Solanke then grabbed a second with a strong run and emphatic finish beyond Altay Bayindir. Just as the Lilywhites looked to be cruising into the semi-finals, a mistake by Fraser Forster, moments after making an excellent save, allowed Joshua Zirkzee to pull one back.
The Spurs goalkeeper was also at fault for United's second as he took too long to clear which allowed Amad to slide in and block the ball into the roof of the net. Nerves were eased with just a few minutes to play however, when Son Heung-min's corner flew straight over the head of Bayindir and in.
A header from Jonny Evans deep into added time gave United some very late hope but no further goals followed. With Spurs into the last four, where they will face Liverpool, football.london has taken a look at their next five fixtures and those awaiting their main rivals where it is unlikely things will get any easier.
Tottenham's next five fixtures in all competitions
December 22 vs Liverpool (H) at 4.30pm - Premier League
December 26 vs Nott’m Forest (A) at 3pm - Premier League
December 29 vs Wolves (H) at 3pm - Premier League
January 4 vs Newcastle (H) at 12.30pm - Premier League
January 12 vs Tamworth (A) at 12.30pm - FA Cup
Verdict
Tottenham have a number of challenging fixtures on the horizon which includes fixtures against two of the top four.
This weekend Spurs return to Premier League action as they welcome leaders Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Following that, the busy Christmas schedule comes into play as just four days later Ange Postecoglou's side travel to high-flying Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day
A home clash against Wolves follows just before 2025 begins with the Lilywhites as huge favourites. Tottenham are back on their own patch a few days later with Newcastle as the visitors before beginning their FA Cup campaign against non-league Tamworth.
Manchester United's next five fixtures in all competitions
December 22 vs AFC Bournemouth (H) at 2pm - Premier League
December 26 vs Wolves (A) at 5.30pm - Premier League
December 30 vs Newcastle (H) at 8pm - Premier League
January 5 vs Liverpool (A) at 4.30pm - Premier League
January 12 vs Arsenal (A) at 3pm - FA Cup
Aston Villa's next five fixtures in all competitions
December 21 vs Manchester City (H) at 12.30pm - Premier League
December 26 vs Newcastle (A) at 3pm - Premier League
December 30 vs Brighton (H) at 7.45pm - Premier League
January 4 vs Leicester City (H) at 3pm - Premier League
January 10 vs West Ham (H) at 8pm - FA Cup
Newcastle's next five fixtures in all competitions
December 21 vs Ipswich Town (A) at 3pm - Premier League
December 26 vs Aston Villa (H) at 3pm - Premier League
December 30 vs Manchester United (A) at 8pm - Premier League
January 4 vs Tottenham (A) at 12.30pm - Premier League
January 12 vs Bromley (H) at 3pm - FA Cup
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