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Can history repeat itself for José Mourinho in the League Cup?
The competition has earned Mourinho his first trophy in his three previous seasons with a Premier League team and he remains on track to repeat the feat with Tottenham.
Juande Ramos’ victory in the League Cup in 2008 remains Tottenham’s only silverware since 1999 and how hit-hungry Spurs fans would love to savor some glory.
Tottenham went pro against the energetic Stoke of Michael O’Neill and showed their class when Ben Davies and Harry Kane scored in the final 20 minutes to reserve their spot in the semi-finals.
It was a bad night for Dele Alli and Mourinho hooked him after his mistake led to the Stoke draw.
Alli waved his arm in frustration at Mourinho and the Spurs retreated as he walked away and a parting of the roads seems inevitable.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
It was a better night for loaned Gareth Bale and he opened the scoring with his third goal since returning from Real Madrid, although he was unable to appear in the second half.
Mourinho will be delighted to be back on the winning track after moving from first to sixth in the Premier League after back-to-back defeats.
He does not have the best memories of Stoke and lost here twice in the space of 10 days, including in the League Cup, in the final weeks of his second stint at Chelsea.
The weather provided one of the usual ingredients for a cup clash and the bet365 stadium was at its wettest and windiest.
But Mourinho was determined not to let the Spurs bother and lined up a strong team, despite making seven changes.
(Image: REUTERS)
Kane, who scored his first Spurs goal against Michael O’Neill when he was Shamrock Rovers boss nine years ago, had a shot blocked before Bale showed his class to open the scoring.
Lucas Moura fed Harry Winks into him and crossed to the center of the area for Bale, unmarked, to launch his header towards the bottom corner.
It was just Winks’ third assist for Tottenham and the first goal that Stoke have conceded in the competition this season.
It was one-way traffic and only Andy Lonergan prevented Tottenham from scoring more.
The veteran goalkeeper made his Potter debut in his first appearance since playing for Rochdale in March 2019 and made a good save with his foot to deny Alli.
Alli was brilliant and beat the unfortunate Tommy Smith in quick succession before landing a 25-yard effort with his right foot, which was saved by Lonergan.
O’Neill transformed Stoke and improved to equalize with his first shot on goal in the 53rd minute.
Steven Fletcher released Jacob Brown down the right and sent a beautiful curvy cross for Jordan Thompson to score his first goal for the Potters at the back post.
Alli lost possession with a flick attempt to allow Stoke to fight back and an unimpressed Mourinho gave him an ear from the touchline before taking him out shortly after.
(Image: REUTERS)
The Spurs rallied and got back in front in the 70th minute when Den Davies picked up Harry Souttar’s cut punt to shoot home from the far post from nearly 30 yards away.
Stoke was defeated and when Thompson lost possession, Moussa Sissoko played in Kane to finish off the third goal with nine minutes remaining.
(Image: REUTERS)
Player Ratings
Stoke (3-5-2): Lonergan 7; Collins 6, Souttar 5, Batth 6; Smith 5, Cousins 6, Thompson 6, Fox 5 (Fletcher 34, 6), McClean 6; Oakley-Boothe 6 (Vokes 79, 6), Brown 7 (Powell 71, 5). Subs: Nna Noukeu, Ince, Shawcross, Fletcher, Tymon.
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6; Doherty 6, Sánchez 6, Dier 6, Davies 7; Hojbjerg 7, Winks 8; Alli 6 (Lamela 66, 6), Moura 7 (Sissoko 66, 6), Bale 7 (Son 46, 6); Kane 7. Subs: Hart, Reguilon, Alderweireld, Vinicius.
THE MAN OF THE MATCH: Harry winks
Can Tottenham win the League Cup? Give us your opinion here.
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