The pressure on Ange Postecoglou will ease momentarily after Tottenham scored a memorable 4-3 win over Manchester United to qualify for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
In a bid to win their first trophy since 2008, Spurs came through in a wild game but almost gave it away after leading 3-0.
A goal from a Son Heung-min corner in the 88th-minute wrapped it up as Spurs tried to hold off a dramatic comeback from United.
United had pulled it back to 3-2 and was pushing for an equaliser when Son whipped in a curling right-footed corner which rebounded off a rival player and beat goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates Radu Dragusin and Yves Bissouma after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Getty
Jonny Evans scored again for United in stoppage time, but Spurs held on for the win that had looked all but certain shortly after halftime.
Having gone ahead through Dominic Solanke's goal from close range in the 15th, Tottenham took control after the break.
Dejan Kulusevski doubled the lead a minute after the restart and Solanke fired in his second in the 54th.
United head coach Ruben Amorim made a triple substitution — bringing on Joshua Zirkzee, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo.
It quickly had an impact with Zirkzee forcing Fraser Forster into a flying save and then capitalising on a loose pass by the Tottenham goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Ange Postecoglou celebrates. Getty
Forster was guilty of another mistake in the 70th when his attempted clearance was closed down by Diallo and ricocheted over the line.
United increased the pressure, but the 88th minute goal gave Spurs a cushion again — and it proved to be the decisive strike after Evans' late header reduced the deficit again.
