Published: 31 October, 2013
by DAN CARRIER

The Capital One Cup
Spurs 2, Hull 2
(AET – Spurs win 8-7 on penalties)

SPURS won a place in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup last night (Wednesday) after seeing off Hull in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who earlier had made an error that had let Hull back into the game, was hero of the moment with two penalty saves.

After the match, manager Andre Villas-Boas praised Spurs fans – he had spoken out about the ­tension around the ground after Sunday’s league game against the same opponents and suggested it had affected his players’ confidence.

The supporters reacted and the players produced a night of high drama for them to enjoy.

Villas-Boas said: “The supporters were absolutely fantastic for us. To see us go 2-1 down in extra-time and hear their response was very pleasant. They showed the difference they can make for us.”

The opener came on 15. Gylfi Sigurdsson received a ball on the edge of the box, flipped it past his marker and powerfully smashed it home.

On 54, Hull equalised when a Curtis Davies effort squirted out of Friedel’s hands and rolled in. Hull went into the lead in the first period of extra-time through a Paul McShane header, only for substitute Harry Kane to equalise with just five minutes remaining.

And so it was to penalties. Spurs took an early lead when Friedel saved from Aaron McLean but Erik Lamela fluffed his lines when he had the chance to win it.

At 8-7 Friedel again pulled off a good block, this time from Ahmed Elmohamady, to send Spurs into a quarter-final tie at home to West Ham.