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Tottenham claimed a late home win to give them a narrow lead against Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The first half was overshadowed by a series of injuries that slowed down the game, the first and most worrying of which occurred just minutes after kick-off, when Rodrigo Bentancur had to be carried off on a stretcher after falling in the penalty area.
A nervy, drawn-out half followed in which neither team could overcome the other, but Tottenham started strongly in the second, with Pedro Porro coming painfully close to putting the hosts ahead.
Dominic Solanke thought he was the one to finally break the deadlock in the 77th minute, but after his goal was disallowed by VAR, it was up to Swedish star Lucas Bergvall to play the hero with his 86th-minute winner, moments after he Almost received a second yellow card for a risky tackle on Kostas Tsimikas.
Here, JAMES SHARPE checks who shined and who struggled on both sides in north London on Wednesday night.
Tottenham claimed victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Affected by injury, Ange Postecoglou’s team was able to keep the Premier League leader calm at home
Referee Stuart Attwell played an unexpected starring role when he became the first referee to speak in a stadium into a microphone.
Tottenham (4-3-3)
Antonin Kinsky – 8
A shaky moment on debut, when he nearly let Gakpo’s long-range shot twist beneath him, he pulled off a stunning save on the death of Nunez in an excellent debut.
Pedro Porro – 6
He missed two big chances to put Spurs ahead when the ball was stolen from Alisson. Excellent deep pass for the disallowed goal to Solanke.
Radu Dragusin – 6
He saw a great early attempt saved but cleared Alexander-Arnold’s goal line in the second half.
Archie Gray – 7
The 18-year-old continues to look so calm and unflappable out of position in a depleted Spurs backline. He kept Jota quiet.
Just a few days after signing for the club, Antonin Kinsky distinguished himself in goal for Spurs.
Radu Dragusin was the skilful assistant to his new teammate with a great goal-line clearance.
Pedro Porro wasted two good chances but almost helped Dominic Solanke get Spurs’ first
Djed Spence – 7
He has always looked to break through Tottenham’s flank and will take Salah out of his pocket at some point on Thursday.
Lucas Bergvall – 8.5
Supreme performance and deservedly scored the winning goal… but should he have been on the field to score it?
Yves Bissouma – 6.5
Physical presence but often too physical and was booked for an unnecessary foul on Jota in the first half.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
He was stretchered off at the start of the first half after an awkward fall while trying to head a shot, but gave the go-ahead to Ange Postecoglou as he left the field.
Dejan Kulusevski – 6
He often picked up the ball in dangerous positions, but had a rare night where his final ball fell short.
Dominic Solanke – 8
He never fails to make a change for his team, thought he had scored but was offside and then set up the winning goal.
Bergvall may have been lucky to still be on the field, but he made the most of his time there.
Solanke was close to being the hero of the night until his potential winner was ruled out.
Ange Postecoglou may be assured of crucial opening victory, but he lost yet another player
Heung-min’s son – 6
Celebrating his new contract by running a lot, trying to get balls into the area but without success.
Substitutions
Brennan Johnson (by Bentancur, 15) 6.5
Timo Werner (by Son, 76) 6
Manager
Ange Postecoglou – 6.5
He fell to his knees when Porro missed both big opportunities and will be devastated to lose another player to injury.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Alisson – 6
Brilliant low save early on to deny Dragusin from close range but was twice robbed of the ball by Bergvall, who then buried the winner.
Conor Bradley – 7
He replaced Alexander-Arnold and seized his opportunity, never ducking a tackle and making the most passes of any Liverpool player before leaving. Is Madrid calling?
Alisson was lucky with Porro’s early chance, but not so lucky with Bergvall’s.
Conor Bradley rose to the occasion and replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in London.
Jarell Quansah – 5.5
He felt the wrath of Van Dijk early on for being careless with the ball before going off injured just before the half-hour mark.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
He spent most of the night reading the riot booklet to the indifferent defenders around him, but he himself purred as usual.
Kostas Tsimikas – 6
He summed up Liverpool’s sloppiness at the end of the first half when he passed a simple ball in for a throw-in.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
He has been Liverpool’s midfield all season, but for once he had little control and looked like he needed a break.
Alexis MacAllister – 6.5
Probably Liverpool’s best midfielder, but that wasn’t asking much and he broke through on the hour.
Kostas Tsimikas cuts a sloppy figure but will stare at Bergvall’s entrance for some time
Alexis Mac Allister was Liverpool’s standout midfielder, but he was unable to make a difference.
Mo Salah – 5.5
He fired a shot wide from the edge of the area and put another over the bar. Maybe he’s human after all.
Curtis Jones – 6
He looks clean and composed on the ball but was ignored time and time again as Tottenham and Bergvall ran through the Reds.
Cody Gakpo – 6
He was in the form of his life for Slot’s team and was once again a constant threat down the left, although he was unable to find the final ball when needed.
Jack – 6
He was usually very good at coming in and connecting play, but he was very careless with the ball and was substituted on the hour.
Substitutions
Endo (for Quansah, 30) 6.5
Núñez (by Jota, 60) 6
Alexander-Arnold (by Bradley, 60) 6.5
Diaz (by Gakpo, 60) 6
Konate (for Mac Allister, 80) N/A
Mo Salah has been enjoying a phenomenal season but failed to shine in north London
Cody Gakpo is still in great shape, but he couldn’t save the ball when needed.
Arne Slot cut an animated figure on the touchline as he watched his team squander possession.
Manager
Arne Slots – 5.5
He was usually so calm and collected, but he was a lively figure in the dugout as his team continued to waste possession, the substitutes doing nothing.
Referee
Stuart Atwell – 6
Almost booed from north London when Solanke’s disallowed goal had to be announced over the loudspeakers, Liverpool were furious that Bergvall was not shown a yellow card in the run-up to the winning goal.