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Spurs progress into cup semi-final despite early scare

03/12/2008

Carling Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur have progressed into the semi-final of this year's competition after beating Watford 2-1.

Spurs suffered a scare when Thomas Priskin put the home side in front after 12 minutes but goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent won the tie for Harry Redknapp's team.

Watford were the livelier side in the opening minutes of the game as Spurs were forced to defend deep.

The Hornets took and early lead when Jon Harley won the ball down the left flank and fed Tommy Smith. He crossed to Priskin who was in the middle of the box.

Priskin held off the attentions of his marker and fired in a goal from the edge of the penalty area.

However, Tottenham responded well with Aaron Lennon to the fore. He tried to chip Scott Loach but the Watford keeper managed to backpedal and touch the ball over the bar.

Lennon almost stole in again ten minutes later but had his goal-bound effort blocked by Loach. The rebound almost fell to Frazier Campbell but he could not force it home.

Watford were being gradually forced on to the back foot and Spurs almost levelled things when Pavlyuchenko was one-on-one with Loach after a defensive mix up. But the Russian's shot clipped the top of the bar.

On the stroke of half time Spurs got the breakthrough their persistence had deserved. Ross Jenkins upended Jermaine Jenas in the penalty area and Pavlyuchenko made no mistake from the spot.

After the break Harry Redknapp's side continued to enjoy the majority of possession and territory – restricting the Hornets to half chances from set pieces.

Tottenham had a claim for another penalty turned down when Michael Dawson fell to the ground trying to contest a corner.

Soon after that Benoit Assou-Ekotto found himself in space on the left of Watford's penalty area. He drove a low cross along the six yard box but his pass just evaded the on-rushing Pavlyuchenko and Bent.

But Spurs did not have to wait much longer to take a decisive lead. Pavlyuchenko was dispossessed on the edge of the box but the ball broke to Bent.

The England striker worked an angle and although he appeared to slip as he struck the shot it managed to creep in past Loach at the front post.

Having taken the lead Spurs controlled things and although Will Hoskins had a late strike on goal it did not trouble Heurelho Gomes.

Spurs now join Manchester United Derby County and Burnley in the last four of the competition.