Spurs’ head coach Mauricio Pochettino: 'It was difficult to create chances. It was a good test. We need to go to Sheffield to win'

Published: 21 January, 2015
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Capital One Cup, Semi-Final, First Leg
SPURS 1 SHEFFIELD UTD 0

SPURS needed a second-half penalty to scrape a first-leg advantage against Sheffield United last night (Wednesday) in a tight Capital One Cup semi-final.

Andros Townsend scored the vital goal in a finely balanced game that saw the League One giantkillers give a decent account of themselves.

Speaking after the match, goalscorer Townsend said: “They made it extremely difficult for us, they set themselves up well and we could not get through them or past them.”

The match-winner said that he believed Spurs had enough to book their trip to Wembley next week at United’s Bramall Lane ground.

He added: “We have the lead we deserved. In Sheffield they will have to come at us, so we’ll get chances.”

The first half saw United work hard and limit Spurs to a handful of clear-cut chances. Centre-back Eric Dier forced United goalkeeper Mark Howard into a save from a Townsend free-kick, while the returning Emanuel Adebayor was sent through by Christian Eriksen but couldn’t control the ball quickly enough to get a clean shot off.

United also had their moments. Jamal Campbell-Ryce drove narrowly wide, while Stefan Scougall went close from long range.

A double Spurs substitution on 64 minutes saw the misfiring Adebayor replaced by Roberto Soldado, and Mousa Dembele swapped for Ryan Mason. The switch gave Spurs vital extra movement up front.

On 72 minutes, a cross from deep by Jan Vertonghen found Soldado. The Spaniard knocked it past his marker, Jay McElevey, and the United defender handled the ball. Townsend stuck the penalty away cleanly.

Spurs continued to press but could not find another to give themselves the more comfortable cushion. United deserve to still be in the tie as Spurs take a slim lead to Bramall Lane next Wednesday.

Spurs’ head coach Mauricio Pochettino echoed Townsend’s view on his side’s performance, praising United’s determination and underlining the fact the tie is far from over. 

He said: “It’s important to understand what we’re up against. It was difficult to create chances. It was a good test. We need to go to Sheffield to win.”

SPURS: Vorm, Walker, Vertonghen, Dier, Adebayor (Soldado, 64), Townsend, Kane, Eriksen, Stambouli (Paulinho, 73), Davies, Mason (Dembele, 64).
Subs: Friedel, Rose, Kaboul, Lennon, Paulinho, Soldado, Dembele.
Attendance: 35,323