Ange Postecoglou took another step towards his ambition of ending Tottenham’s trophy drought with a dramatic EFL Cup quarter-final victory over Man United.
With Marcus Rashford again excluded from the visitors, United traveled to north London on Thursday looking to build on their momentum in the competition.
In the end, individual errors proved costly for Ruben Amorim’s team, and Dominic Solanke took advantage of a poor save by Altay Bayindir to give his team the lead.
However, Spurs were not immune to errors, despite running out of the traps with a pair of goals early in the second half, as two errors from Fraser Forster gave United hope of a comeback.
But what big money flop was pathetic? Who showed composure far beyond his years for Spurs? And which United defender was in the sea?
Mail Sport’s JAMES SHARPE was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to provide his expert analysis on both teams.
Tottenham booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a win over Man United
Tottenham 4-2-3-1
Fraser Forster – 4.5
Oh dear. He had nothing to do for most of the game and then wasted too much time on the ball to gift United a second goal… and hope.
Pedro Porro – 7
He got a bit of Ange’s mind after the Rangers game and was benched against the Saints, but he was impressive here, his deflected shot forcing a save from the United goalkeeper for Tottenham’s first goal.
Radu Dragusin – 7
Tottenham’s only fit centre-back is built like a Viking and defends like one too. Strong, physical, he headed everything and easily took the ball away from Hojlund when danger loomed.
Archie Gray – 7.5
The 18-year-old has played in all defensive line positions this season, as well as in midfield, and you can see why. Composure on the ball far beyond his years.
Fraser Forster gifted United two goals to get them back into the game in the second half.
Full-back Djed Spence has been impressive since breaking into the team two games ago.
Djed Spence – 7.5
He waited two and a half years for his first start at Southampton, got it and backed it up again here. He had Mazraoui toasted throughout the match and played a magnificent ball to Solanke for the third.
Paper Kill Sarr – 6.5
The weakest of the Spurs midfield pivot. He created a couple of chances but was booked for a foul on Fernandes as United looked to break Tottenham’s high line.
Yves Bissouma – 8
A dynamic performance from the Spurs midfielder. An excellent block to deny Eriksen an equaliser, he made five tackles and created two chances in the first half alone.
Dejan Kulusevski – 8
Four goals in his four games after a blocked Maddison cross reached him 47 seconds after the restart. It also forced a smart save from Bayindir in the first half. He looked dangerous every time he received the ball.
Yves Bissouma put in a dynamic performance in midfield, blocking five shots and creating two for his team.
Dejan Kulusevski scored again here and now has four goals in four games for Tottenham
James Maddison exudes confidence and struts with his classic swagger.
James Maddison – 7
Brimming with confidence after his brace against the Saints and walking around with that classic Madders swagger. His cross forced a failed clearance for Kulusevski’s goal.
Heung-min’s son – 7.5
A true collector’s item for the Spurs captain, who scored Tottenham’s fourth consecutive goal after a corner kick. He had also played at Maddison in the run-up to the second.
Dominic Solanke – 9
He reacted quicker to pounce on Porro’s rejected shot to put Tottenham ahead and then left Martínez for dead for his second. He always takes a turn, it’s easy to see why Ange loves him.
SUBS
Bergvall (for Maddison, 79 min) 6
Johnson (for Solanke, 90 min) N/A
Reguilón (by Spence, 91 min) N/A
COACH: Ange Postecoglou – 6.5
He fielded a strong team but should have made changes sooner as United began to come back.
Manchester United 3-4-2-1
Altay Bayindir – 4.5
He palmed Porro’s deflected shot straight at Solanke and then fluttered into Son’s corner and saw it go over his head.
Leny Yoro – 6
The 19-year-old was probably the pick of United’s defense but, let’s be honest, that’s not saying much. He made some decent innings but nothing more.
Victor Lindelof – 5.5
He suffered injuries throughout his United career and left the pitch in one tear after another. He headed straight down the tunnel.
Altay Bayindir was at fault for two of Tottenham’s goals and let his chance down
Leny Yoro was the choice for United’s defense in the capital, but that doesn’t say much
Lisandro Martínez – 5
Sensational in United’s victory in the Manchester derby, but here everything is at sea. The botched punt fell to Kulusevski in the second and was then dominated by Solanke in the third.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5.5
He doesn’t look like a winger, Spence was too quick for him most of the night and was appropriately booked for bringing him down.
Christian Eriksen – 6
He came close in the first half with a free kick blocked and fired into the roof of the net, but not enough to make his mark on the game.
Manuel Ugarte – 6.5
There was a fine line between being a physical presence and a clumsy and he too often fell on the wrong side of the line with two clumsy fouls on Maddison, but he did well to block a dangerous Kulusevski cross and made plenty of tackles. 6.5
Diogo Dalot – 6.5
United’s most natural full-back and looks set to thrive with the added attacking responsibilities under Amorim. He always moved forward and created frequent opportunities.
Antony was repeatedly ignored with ease – Marcus Rashford can’t be that bad
Bruno Fernandes waved his arm a lot and was finally booked late.
Antonio – 4.5
An early cruncher from Bissouma set the score. They stole the ball from him three times and he always dodged it with ease. A pathetic tackle attempt on Spence. What does it offer? Surely Rashford can’t be that bad.
Bruno Fernandez – 5.5
Many arm movements and exaggerated reactions, according to what finally earned him the referee’s warning for complaining about Tottenham’s fourth goal due to a foul on the goalkeeper that was never made.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
I barely smelled it. He couldn’t finish a good cross from Fernandes, he was surpassed by Dragusin and took advantage of the attempts he had.
SUBS
Jonny Evans (for Lindelof, 45 min) 6
Amad (for Antonio, 55min) 7
Zirkzee (to Hojlund, 56 min) 7
Mainoo (by Eriksen, 56) 6
Garnacho (by Ugarte, 71min) 6
Not used: André Onana, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro,
COACH: Rubén Amorim – 6.5
Ruthless again by leaving out Rashford again but he made too many changes and the game only changed after the substitutions.