Carling cup semi (2nd leg) Spurs vs Arsenal

[bandini]

Spurs dominated the first leg, but the Gunners grabbed a late goal. King is back; Robbie Keane is on target; Jermaine Defoe is the captain and Cerny is in for Robinson. Crazier things have happened than Spurs knocking out Arsenal and reaching the cup final...

COME ON YOU SPURS!!

Boss Juande Ramos is set to recall Ledley King and Robbie Keane to his starting line-up as Tottenham look to progress past arch-rivals Arsenal and into the Carling Cup final.

Ramos handed Jermaine Defoe the skipper's armband for Saturday's victory over Sunderland as King and Keane were rested, while Paul Robinson remained on the bench against the Black Cats.

Radek Cerny has not made a mistake since taking the number one jersey off Robinson and the former Leeds goalkeeper is set to continue his unwanted stint on the sidelines against the Gunners amidst reports he is deeply concerned over his future at Spurs.

Keane, who came off the bench against Sunderland and scored his 100th goal for Spurs, is likely to partner Berbatov in attack while Michael Dawson is likely to partner King at the back.

Berbatov is eagerly anticipating the second leg, with the tie poised at 1-1.

He told Bulgarian Darik radio: ``The clash with Arsenal promises to be the match of the year for us.

``We're confident we can go through but it's going to be extremely difficult because they are a top-class team.''

Meanwhile, Spurs are set to sign Gilberto from German club Hertha Berlin - bringing an end to their recent policy of targeting younger players.

The Brazilian is a left-back who can operate in midfield and at 31 will be one of the most experienced members of Juande Ramos' squad when the paperwork is completed for his move.

Gilberto's contract with Hertha expires in the summer and he could be signed either immediately if a deal is agreed or on a pre-contract for next season.

``I'm accustomed to winning trophies with Brazil but now I'd like to do the same at club level,'' he said over the weekend.

He was included in the 2006 World Cup squad for Brazil and scored in the victory over Japan, cutting in from the left and drilling his finish into the far corner.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed William Gallas will lead the side for tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Tottenham.

Philippe Senderos (nose) has joined Johan Djourou (groin) on the sidelines, so Justin Hoyte or Gilberto are set to fill in at centre-back.

Theo Walcott is set to return, having not been involved at all in the win over Fulham on Saturday, while Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner should also both feature after being unused substitutes at Craven Cottage.

Striker Robin van Persie (thigh) is not yet match fit, while Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are all away at the African Nations Cup.

Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski believes Arsenal's youngsters have the character required to progress to the final.

The tie is delicately poised a 1-1, but with Spurs holding what could prove to be a crucial away goal and Fabianski said: ``We were losing at home, and before we scored the equaliser we didn't have many chances. It didn't look like we could get a goal, so perhaps the tie switched at the moment Theo scored.

``Our young team showed again that of course we have a high technical level, but also we have a great character.

``With the character we have, we have to be optimistic going into the second leg. We have to prepare well.''

The former Legia Warsaw stopper declared: ``All I am thinking about at the moment is my next aim - to beat Spurs and get into the final at Wembley.

``Yes, that's a dream, but I just want to play more games, wherever that is, so that means winning the semi-final.

``Of course, though, Wembley means something special, everybody knows about it. It just gives me another reason to want to win the semi-final.''

source: soccernet.com

[nvn04]

Haven't been able to watch the game, but 2-0 to Spurs at halftime. Goals from Jenas and a Bendtner own goal. We came back from 2-0 down at White Hart Lane in the Carling Cup last year, but I don't think we'll see a repeat. The streak of not losing to Spurs has to end sometime, so the Carling Cup's not a bad place for that to happen.

[bandini]

Spurs have played pretty solidly in the first half. Berbs was unlucky with hitting the post although maybe he was actually offside anyway. Anyway it's been a solid half for Spurs and hopefully the 2nd will go the same way. They must tighten up at the back in the last 20 minutes though. That's when we always screw up and you can't let a team like the Gunners get late goals. They're too strong.

[NJ10]

Game over. Keane makes it 3.

[bandini]

FANTASTIC. THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS OF MY LIFE. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

[Dellas]

Brilliant finish by Lennon...well done Tottenham.

[Dellas]

How did Adebayor not get sent off??? he did exactly what Essien did against Derby and Essien got a straight red, Adebayor doesn't even get a yellow

[NJ10]

Walcott & Hoyte are terrible. Those two justify Wenger's faith in young foreigners.

[bandini]

omg what a game. A special thanks to Oliver Kahn for sharing the joy with me over MSN while we watched the game.

Final score Spurs 5 - 1 Arsenal

Jenas [3] 1-0
Bendtner (og) [27] 2-0
Keane [48] 3-0
Lennon [60] 4-0
Adebayor [70] 4-1
Malbranque [90] 5-1

WE'RE IN THE FINAL. ABOUT TIME!!

[unitedfan]

I think Spurs might just look on that as a fairly good result

Now I backed you to win, but by 4 goals? That was very impressive. You seemed to learn lessons from the first leg, you knew you had the energy to push them deeper and deeper, and at home that really worked out its best.

A brilliant win.

[Olzy]

the crowd scenes were special.

great performance.

Jenas who Im not usually a huge fan of had a brilliant game so much energy.

[Vargas_4]

I saw the game. Spurs deserved it, really. They were organized and very disciplined. They were very lethal in every counter attack.

What shocked me was to see Arsenal so disorganized. The back four were running around crazy and the midfield never really supported them. This is where Arsenal's young lads's lack of experience really showed.

Bottom line, the team who played better won today.

[Sven]

Ramos was pure gold.

[Trim]

Watched the whole match, damn, that was unbelievable.

Unbelievable Spurs... Their batteries recharged to 100%. What a strong side yesterday.

They thrashed Arsenal badly, they were very organized, very motivated, very efficient. Counter attacks worked perfectly.

Congratulations, totally deserved win.

[Werdna]

I've seen a few of Tottenham's games recently and they have had a result like that in them just waiting to pop out!

Fortunately for them it was when the fans would have most wanted it!

<<i wouldn't be surprised if this jumpstarted Spurs' season!