Late goals by Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson helped Tottenham avoid an almighty upset at Coventry in the Carabao Cup.
Spurs were set to follow up Sunday’s painful derby defeat to Arsenal with a 1-0 loss in the third round after Brandon Thomas-Asante fired the Championship side into a deserved lead after 63 minutes.
Moments earlier, Ange Postecoglou’s decision to substitute Lucas Bergvall had been met with boos from the away end.
Ice cold. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/x8nZXzjIH3
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 18, 2024
However, with time running out and Postecoglou’s bold prediction last weekend of always winning silverware in his second season being set to come back to bite him, Djed Spence found an equaliser with three minutes left.
Spot-kicks were still on the cards until Rodrigo Bentancur played through Brennan Johnson, who chipped home in the 92nd minute to earn Tottenham a precious 2-1 win and leave their travelling support singing about Wembley.
This was the first meeting between the clubs in 11 years, but it was a fixture synonymous with the 1987 FA Cup final when Coventry triumphed 3-2 to clinch the only major trophy of their history.
Postecoglou was eager to deliver silverware for Spurs, but made eight changes from Sunday’s north London derby loss.
Fraser Forster was recalled for his first start in more than 12 months and almost gave away a goal inside 60 seconds, but atoned for a poor pass out from the back with a fine save to deny Jack Rudoni from 20 yards.
When Tottenham did eventually settle, they were forced into a 17th-minute substitution when Wilson Odobert went down after a strong challenge from Jake Bidwell.
Johnson was sent on and while the visitors continued to dominate possession, they could not fashion any chances and almost conceded again during an end-to-end 38th minute.
Firstly, Rudoni’s shot from Bidwell’s cross was blocked by Destiny Udogie and Johnson led the Spurs counter-attack but his cutback failed to pick out a team-mate, which resulted in Norman Bassette being sent away only to fire over.
After no first-half shots and a smattering of boos from the away crowd, Postecoglou sent on full-back Spence and two minutes later they did register an effort of note.
Dominic Solanke carried the ball and found Johnson, but his low effort was blocked by ex-Tottenham youngster Luis Binks.
First Spurs goal ✅ pic.twitter.com/iWHQ9LXj92
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 18, 2024
It was not a sign of things to come as after Timo Werner was again dispossessed, Bassette tested Forster with a low strike.
The 24,606-strong crowd could smell blood and wanted a penalty after 56 minutes when Bidwell raced onto Ben Wilson’s pass and collided with Forster, but play continued and Spurs’ stand-in captain Ben Davies slid in to deny Haji Wright’s goalbound effort.
Thomas-Asante lifted over shortly afterwards before Postecoglou’s night went from bad to worse as his decision to bring off the lively Bergvall sparked boos.
Seconds later and the home faithful were on their feet in celebration after Bassette produced a superb cross for Thomas-Asante to slot past Forster.
No immediate reaction was evident as Ellis Simms headed wide soon after for Coventry.
James Maddison did go close in the 77th minute when he controlled Radu Dragusin’s long-range pass but curled wide from range before Ephron Mason-Clark failed to sufficiently connect with Simms’ deflected shot.
As Postecoglou was facing up to a second consecutive early exit in this competition, his blushes were spared when Dejan Kulusevski linked up with Spence, who prodded home for his first Spurs goal.
With three minutes left, Tottenham sensed their moment and in the second minute of stoppage time Bentancur played in Johnson, who rolled the ball past Wilson to ensure the full-time whistle was greeted with chants of ‘Wembley’ from Tottenham’s travelling support.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debuts in the United States with a fresh format, gathering 32 elite clubs for the pinnacle of inter-club competition. This edition spotlights Group D, which brings together the newly crowned UEFA Conference League champions Chelsea F.C., South American powerhouses CR Flamengo (RJ), and African dark horses Esperance Sportive de Tunis. However, Club Leon were banned from...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. One of the best left-backs in the world meeting one of the best wingers in the world.Nuno Mendes came out on top vs. Lamine Yamal Cristiano Ronaldo's impact with Portugal has been heroic Finding players for these teams Man City now Will Gyokeres join United? Only real football fans will get this.. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fu...
Bournemouth agree deal for Kerkez replacementBournemouth have reached an agreement with Rennes for the transfer of left-back Adrien Truffert.Le Parisien claim a deal worth around €17m has been agreed between the two parties and the move is expected to help Milos Kerkez secure his anticipated switch to Liverpool.Man City to send youngster to Lyon in Cherki dealManchester City will send one of...
Arsenal will be in the market for a new left winger this summer, and one of their targets is believed to be Man United's Alejandro Garnacho.The Gunners have been linked with several left wingers in recent months, with the expectation being that a signing will be made to replace one of Gabriel Martinello or Leandro Trossard – neither of whom have overly impressed when called upon over the las...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun claims Grealish has accepted his City career is over, and now Leverkusen are set to enter the race for his services. The 29-year-old is said to be valued at around £40 million ($54.2m), with ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag telling Leverkusen chiefs he could be the 'perfect replacement' for Liverpool-linked Wirtz.THE BIGGER PICTUREGrealish has gone from being a ...
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed terms with Thomas Frank to become their next manager.Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham last week after winning the Europa League for the Lilywhites and ending the club's 17-year wait for silverware, with Spurs releasing an intriguing statement blaming the Australian's dismissal on league form.The club finished 17th in the table last term and are now preparing f...
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plansLiverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has ruled out returning to the Netherlands before calling time on his incredible career.The 33-year-old came through the academy with Eredivisie side Groningen before leaving to join Scottish giants Celtic back in 2013.Van Dijk has since won two Premier League titles and a Champions League, among other tro...
Belgium celebrate De Bruyne's late winnerWales manager Craig Bellamy saw his unbeaten start to life in the hotseat ended after 10 games, but his charges put up a brave fight in Belgium, going down 4-3 to the Red Devils in an unforgettable FIFA World Cup qualifier (WCQ) that saw them fight back from 3-0 down.Despite their manager’s strong record, Wales knew this was going to be their biggest ...
Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack GrealishBayer Leverkusen are the latest club showing an interest in Man City winger Jack Grealish who looks set to leave the club this summer.Grealish, 29, has been left out of Man City’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and is seemingly unwanted by Pep Gauardiola.The England international has struggled to live up to the 3100 milli...
Chelsea dealt major blow in Hugo Ekitike pursuitChelsea are reportedly struggling to agree on a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for striker Hugo Ekitike who they are hoping to sign this summer.Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly value the 22-year-old forward at €100 million, a valuation that Chelsea are currently unwilling to meet.Ekitike had a breakout season in Germany, scoring 22 goals and provi...
- 1 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 2 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 5 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 10 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent