Spurs survive Red Devils fightback in crazy Carabao Cup tie

Heung-Min Son’s goal directly from a corner helped secure a 4-2 win for Tottenham over Manchester United in an eventful Carabao Cup quarter-final tie.

Dominic Solanke’s brace and Dejan Kulusevski’s effort looked like setting up a comfortable evening for Spurs but two errors from goalkeeper Fraiser Forster got United back in the game.

A first sloppy pass allowed Joshua Zirkzee to reduce the deficit before Amad Diallo closed down his clearance to set up a nervy finale.

But United’s hopes of pulling off an extraordinary comeback were dashed when Son scored directly from a corner in another horror moment for a goalkeeper, this time from visiting stopper Altay Bayindir.

Jonny Evans headed another back for United in added time but it was not enough to stop Ange Postecoglou’s men from joining Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle in the semi-finals.

The hosts went ahead through Solanke inside 15 minutes after deputy goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to gather a James Maddison free-kick, with the former Bournemouth striker making no mistake from the rebound.

Solanke scores against Man United for the fourth game in a row! ⚪ pic.twitter.com/KvHcv3C1f4

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Kulusevski then drew a save from United’s stopper, brilliantly turning past a defender before the his sharp drive was parried.

The Swedish forward was at the heart of another close shave for the Red Devils as a smart combination with Heung-Min Song eventually found his way, with his pass blocked by Manuel Ugarte narrowly missing the goal.

And the in-form 24-year-old had his goal, his fourth in as many games, less than a minute into the second half as Maddison’s cut-back was poorly dealt with by Lisandro Martinez, allowing the Spurs man to capitalise on another United mistake.

Dejan Kulusevski doubles Tottenham’s lead, what a start to the second half! ⚡️◻️

🎙️ “The clearance from Lisandro Martinez is quite simply appalling.” pic.twitter.com/6gmXscJ665

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

For the second time this season, Spurs went 3-0 up against United as Solanke sprang the offside trap before cutting inside past Martinez and Evans before slotting home his second with ease.

“They destroyed City and they’re doing the same again against Manchester United!” 💢

Solanke grabs a brace! 💥 pic.twitter.com/QrotOfElbD

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Substitute Joshua Zirkzee produced United’s first chance of note in the second half, heading the ball goalwards and forcing a strong save from Forster.

But the goalkeeper’s joy was short-lived as he carelessly gave the ball away to Bruno Fernandes, who found Zirkzee for an easy finish to reduce the deficit.

“It’s a GIFT from Fraser Forster!” 🫣🎁

Joshua Zirkzee pulls one back for Manchester United! pic.twitter.com/GsNVdXNkQp

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

That goal threatened to unsettle Spurs and galvanise United, with substitute Amad Diallo seeing a deflected effort narrowly miss the post following a succession of corners.

It was soon 3-2 in the most extroadinary of ways and it was all of the hosts’ making. A sloppy set of passes put Forster under pressure before the veteran stopper’s clearance was closed down by Amad and diverted in to send shockwaves around North London.

“This is one of the most Tottenham things you’ll see!” 😱

Amad Diallo takes advantage of a Fraser Forster blunder! 🫣 pic.twitter.com/fShVGyBmNG

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Hearts continued to be in mouths as the final 10 minutes approached, particularly when Forster opted to bizarrely keep out a long-range Amad strike with his feet rather than his hands.

But United’s hopes of an unlikely comeback ended when Son found the net from a rare Spurs corner, with the ball elluding Bayandir in another goalkeeping moment to forget in this Carabao Cup tie.

WOW. WOW. WOW.

Son scores straight from the corner! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KDhNXNL7cp

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Just when you thought the action was over, Evans headed in a third for United but it was not enough to stop Spurs progressing as Postecoglou keeps alive his promise of a trophy in his second season in charge.

This game! 🤯

Jonny Evans heads home for Man United! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/JoteWA9nQO

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024