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Four-star Spurs stride past Reds despite Gomes errors

12/11/2008

Holders Tottenham Hotspur have beaten Liverpool 4-2 at White Hart Lane to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

The home side overcame a sluggish start to score three goals in seven minutes at the end of the first half which proved to be the difference between the two sides despite two more errors from Heurelho Gomes that gifted Liverpool their two goals.

Spurs had Roman Pavlyuchenko and Fraizer Campbell to thank with each striker grabbing a brace after manager Harry Redknapp chose to leave Darren Bent on the bench.

Both teams named changed line ups from the weekend and that may have accounted for a first 30 minutes that passed without incident.

However, Spurs broke the deadlock towards the end of the first half when Campbell managed to get to the byline and cut the ball back for Pavlyuchenko who was rushing into the six yard box and was able to tap the ball home.

The home side were then gifted a second a mere three minutes later. Liverpool goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri misjudged Jamie O'Hara's cross and instead of collecting the ball clattered into defender Andrea Dossena.

Campbell was the man who edged out the goalkeeper and he finished from a tight angle.

The young striker made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time as Spurs ran rampant at White Hart Lane. Aaron Lennon floated the ball to the far post and Campbell produced a fine header to beat Cavalieri.

Although Liverpool will have been wondering what had hit them during the break they were handed in instant lifeline at the start of the second half.

Gomes was caught in two minds whether to come for a corner and ended up stranded as Damien Plessis took advantage of an open goal.

Just as the Reds had thought they had got themselves back into the game Spurs went up the other end and restored their three-goal advantage.

Didier Zokora scampered down the left flank and centred for Pavlyuchenko who had his second simple finish of the evening.

However, Spurs seemed intent on giving Liverpool a glimmer of hope as they conceded again. Once more Gomes failed to deal with a corner as Sami Hyypia beat the Brazilian to the ball to head home.

The goalkeeper was then injured making a diving save at the feet of Philipp Degen and had to be carried off to be replaced by Cesar Sanchez.

After the long delay Spurs were fortunate not to give away a penalty when Gareth Bale challenged Degen in the box.

Despite having to endure nine minutes of stoppage time the home side held on for the win.