The Carling Cup

[FrediKanoute]

Ok, so it lacks a little of the polish of the champions League, Premieship and FA Cup's but it is still a gateway to European football, so rightly or wrongly it is important. Anyway, the 1st leg's of the Semi's have just been completed with Chelski beating Everton 2-1 at home and archrivales Arsenal and Spurs fighting out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

As a Spurs diehard the Carling Cup this year unfortunately represents the only real way in which we're going to see European Action next year, given our poor league position, the fact we have drawn Man U in the next round of the FA Cup (assuing we beat Reading in the replay) and if we manage to get past Slavia Prague in our first knock out game of the UEFA Cup, we face PSV Eindoven.......

Already being in a semi means and having drawn away from home means that Spurs are 1 win away from a final, which will be agianst their other arch rivals Chelski. As a pathway into Europe its a steal for teams outside of the top 4 hence the reason it is targeted so much. Also it finishes early. The final is in March, so the winner knows in advance of the rest of the season that they will be playing European football.....a big plus when scrapping it out at the end of the season.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The Carling Cup

So Chelsea go to Goodison with a slender advantage. I don't see the Toffee's away goal counting for too much as Chelsea will probably nick one themselves. If Chelsea do score Everton are going to have to score at least 2 goals to take it to extra time. Can't see that happening, so it's Chelsea in that leg for me.

The North London Semi, currently poised on a knife edge after a 1-1 draw at The Emirates. Whilst Spurs WILL progress if they keep Arsenal goalless I just can't see it happening that way. I think Arsenal will score a goal as will Spurs. I can see this going to penalties & how ironic would it be if Robbie Keane were to tuck away the winning spot kick?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The Carling Cup

Ok, so it lacks a little of the polish of the champions League, Premieship and FA Cup's but it is still a gateway to European football, so rightly or wrongly it is important. Anyway, the 1st leg's of the Semi's have just been completed with Chelski beating Everton 2-1 at home and archrivales Arsenal and Spurs fighting out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

As a Spurs diehard the Carling Cup this year unfortunately represents the only real way in which we're going to see European Action next year, given our poor league position, the fact we have drawn Man U in the next round of the FA Cup (assuing we beat Reading in the replay) and if we manage to get past Slavia Prague in our first knock out game of the UEFA Cup, we face PSV Eindoven.......

The other way to get to Europe is to actually win one or two of these games.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: The Carling Cup

I should have told you Fredi that I caught a plane to London from Porto with the Spurs supporters in Feb 07 after they had defeated Braga the night before.

Boy had those guys had a hard night at it, and basically had not stopped drinking. I've never been on a rowdier plane.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The Carling Cup

Spurs 5 Arsenal 1 (agg. 6-2)

Who would 'ave thunk it 'eh?

A comprehensive shellacking of the Gunners at the hands of local rivals Tottenham Hotspurs.

Spurs dominated from start to finish & thoroughly deserve their place in the Carling Cup Final.

As FrediKanoute might say "COME ON YOU SPURS", afterall they play either Chelsea or Everton.

As Chas & Dave would sing "Spurs are on their way to Wembley"

[FrediKanoute]

Re: The Carling Cup

Spurs 5 Arsenal 1 (agg. 6-2)

Who would 'ave thunk it 'eh?

A comprehensive shellacking of the Gunners at the hands of local rivals Tottenham Hotspurs.

Spurs dominated from start to finish & thoroughly deserve their place in the Carling Cup Final.

As FrediKanoute might say "COME ON YOU SPURS", afterall they play either Chelsea or Everton.

As Chas & Dave would sing "Spurs are on their way to Wembley"

Oh what a night!!!!! Me and a guy from work flagged off early (18:30 pm....beleive me after the hours we've been pulling that's early!) and headed to the Lane.....the buzz inside was fantastic, with both Spurs and Arsenal supports chanting and singing. we were quietly confident, 1-1 at the emierates and the Gooners not playing their full strength team (ie only Gallas, Gilberto, Sagna, though they had cesc and Adebayour on the bench!).

Early on (ie for first 2 minutes) the ball was played almost entirely in Spur's half, with the Gooner's putting together some really slick passing and pushning forward. The a break, a Berbatov flick to Jeans running forward and, bang 1-0..........1-0 after 3 minutes!! we couldn't believe it.

The game continued with arsenal again pushing forward and threatening. Their passing was soooooo slick and smooth and to be honest Spurs looked a little ragged. malbranque on the left just seemed disinteresed and tainio in the middle seemed a little out of depth. A few anxious moments and a Cerny save from a corner before Spurs headed back into Arsenal's half. Can't remember who gave away the free kick, but Jenas lobbed it into the box and Bentner (Gooner) rose with Dawsom and headed the ball into the back of the net.....2-0 Sprs after 25mins.....

De ja vu or what. At the Lane 12 months earlier after 25 mins in the carling Cup semi, Spurs were 2-0, one of which was an own goal. 12 months earlier Spurs had "choked" and coughed up a 2-0 advantage allowing the Gooners back in. Would the do the same again tonight???? Well about a minute or two later it should have been 3 -0, when Berb's raced through and 1 on 1 with the keeper hit the woodwork.....could this be one of those moments in sport (ahla Libba's goal in that awful final???).....certainly the Spurs supports were a little apprehensive at half time...would history repeat?

Second half started similar to the first, Gooners attacking and Spurs valiantly defneding. King and maligned Dawson were like rock's in central defence, impassable. Cesc Fabregas had been brought on early in the first half after Denilison sustained an injury. His magic was blunted however by the dour stopping job put on him by Tainio. the little Fin went wherever Cesc went, stopping his freeflowing passing and taking up the space. Then a break. Spurs streamed forward. Lennon to Keane and it was 3-0....history was not going to be repeated!!!!

The game continued in that fashion, Arsenal dominating possession and Spurs breaking clear. Lennon added Spur's fourth goal and Ramos decided the game was safe. He substituted Berbatov and Keane for Defoe (will he stay or will he go) and Kevin Prince-Boatang. The Gooner's brought on Eduardo (the brazilian Croation....go figure) and Adebayour. The change in attack for Arsenal brought instant results with adebayour splitting the two rocks of Spurs defence and slotting one past Cerny.....4-1...would Arsenal come back......in this way Spurs fans are much like Doggies fans, you can be 10 goals up, but you always have feeling the other side isn;t out of the game. Ramos though saw this and sub'd Lennon for Huddlestone and Spurs regained composure and played out the game with minimal threat from the Gooner's.....even adding a fifth by Malbranque in injury time......

The the celebrations. The Spurs faithful had been singin Che Sera Sera we're off to Wembeley and we beat the scum 5-1 from about the 80th minute mark of the game. They went into hysteric's singin Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur (Man U stole that one) and Oh when the Spurs Go Marching In (whihc is a favourite!!!) as the players did laps of honour clapping the fans, throwing their tops into the crowd and even a team body slide!!!

All in all a fantaistic night......Bring on the 24th of Feb - carling Cup final at Wembley...will be trying mu guts out for tickets!

[FrediKanoute]

Re: The Carling Cup

Spurs 5 Arsenal 1 (agg. 6-2)

Who would 'ave thunk it 'eh?

A comprehensive shellacking of the Gunners at the hands of local rivals Tottenham Hotspurs.

Spurs dominated from start to finish & thoroughly deserve their place in the Carling Cup Final.

As FrediKanoute might say "COME ON YOU SPURS", afterall they play either Chelsea or Everton.

As Chas & Dave would sing "Spurs are on their way to Wembley"

Chase and Dave weren't the only ones singing it last night!!

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The Carling Cup

Just for you FK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZb7TbwZsBA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spxaai2V4gE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVMaIUSeRxA&feature=related

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The Carling Cup

Everton 0 - Chelsea 1 (1-3 on agg)

A wonderful second half strike by Joe Cole was the only goal scored in this 2nd leg clash at Goodison this morning.

It means that Chelsea now go into the final against Spurs, to be played at Wembley on 24 February.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: The Carling Cup

Waiting eagerly for ticket on sale dates to be announced and then hoping like hell I get one!!!! Its almost like a GF!

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: The Carling Cup

I love Robbie Keane, ever since those flying somersaults at the world cup, and Joe Cole always looks a gun to me, very slippery out wide and lots of tricks

Good luck Fredi, hope you crush em!

[FrediKanoute]

Re: The Carling Cup

We beat Chelsea 2-1! Come on Ye Spurs!!!!!!! Cracking game of football, Chelsea score against the run of play in the first half through a Drogba freekick!

In the second half Spurs win a penalty after Wayne bridge handles in the box. I wish Dimitar berbatov was an Aussie because he is sooooooooo cool! Stepped up, sent Cech the wrong way and cool as they come.

Game goes to extra time.......Spurs score in the 6th minute of extra time through Woodgate.......Spurs hold on. didn't get a ticekt and am a little p*ssed b/c been down at pub. Only here b/c work said I had to come back and finish some "irgent" sh*t....on a Sunday