HERE is an omen Spurs followers can get correctly enthusiastic about — its identify is Jose Mourinho.
For greater than a decade, these everlasting optimists from North London have been desperately trying to find a signal that they could truly win one thing.
Ben Davies restored Tottenham’s lead with 20 minutes remainingCredit score: Reuters
Harry Kane made it 3-1 late onCredit score: Reuters
It has made it a bit embarrassing that every time they’ve appeared shut, Arsenal by some means stumbled their approach to lifting the FA Cup.
However Mourinho was catapulted into White Hart Lane to win trophies and now Spurs actually have a purpose to imagine this might be their yr.
The season will even finish with the primary, which used to assure a pot — till their post-war run led to 2001.
Regardless of being irritated with Dele Alli, Mourinho noticed his group overcome a chilly and moist night time within the Potteries to deservedly beat Stoke within the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
For the Portuguese coach, subsequent month’s one-off shoot-out will likely be his fifth League Cup semi-final. Within the earlier 4, he has gone on to win the trophy.
Tottenham haven’t gained any silverware for the reason that League Cup in 2008 however have been drawn with Brentford.
And Mourinho mentioned: “To win this trophy, we have to win two matches.
“However, in fact, it will likely be two very tough matches.
“Brentford, for me, don’t play like a Championship facet however extra like Premier League. We’re within the semi-finals to struggle.”
Tottenham actually have a greater likelihood of successful the Carabao Cup than the Premier League.
It was massively necessary that after a poor set of outcomes, particularly a draw with Crystal Palace and losses to Liverpool and Leicester, Spurs averted following Newcastle out of the event.
And regardless of making life tough for themselves within the second half, there was nonetheless just one high quality group on this with Harry Winks and Dele — till taking part in an element in Stoke’s leveller — each impressing.
Spurs have been left fuming by Stoke’s equaliserCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
Stoke equalised with their first shot on purposeCredit score: Reuters
Gareth Bale fired Spurs right into a first-half leadCredit score: AP:Related Press
On present type, it appears unlikely Tottenham will likely be leaping on the likelihood of extending Gareth Bale’s mortgage to a second season.
However he made essentially the most of his begin by grabbing the opening purpose.
This meant he scored in successive League Cup appearances, though they only occurred to be eight years aside — the earlier effort was in a 2-1 loss away to Norwich.
Keeper Andy Lonergan, 37, was taking part in his first aggressive sport since showing for Rochdale in League One in March 2019 and he made some first rate saves. However there was not loads he might do about Bale’s opener.
Winks expertly lifted the ball over the house defence and Bale, along with his again to purpose, turned and guided his header into the nook.
Dele Alli was handed a uncommon beginCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
There was no night time off for Harry KaneCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
Making his first begin for a month, Dele had a few good probabilities, and Stoke resorted to some cynical challenges on the midfielder
However he blotted his copy guide by dropping possession, Stoke attacked and Jacob Brown crossed for Jordan Thompson to attain on the far submit.
Spurs’ second purpose got here from Ben Davies, who seized on a clearance by taking one contact earlier than hanging it sweetly from 25 yards. Son Heung-min had a wonderfully good purpose dominated out for offside, which might have been allowed had there been VAR.
Harry Kane sealed the win with a end into the roof of the online — and Spurs have been via.
For Mourinho, he can odor yet one more trophy. And on this state of affairs, everyone knows what occurs subsequent.
Contemplating his file within the League Cup, it will truly be extra shocking if he didn’t win it.
