Eighteen-year-old Lucas Bergvall’s first purpose for Tottenham has given his aspect a treasured 1-0 result in take to Anfield of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool – though it was a controversial winner.
Arne Slot’s Reds have been emphatic 6-3 victors when these groups met within the Premier League in north London in December however this was a tighter, error-filled contest which noticed the top-flight’s two main scorers missing their traditional sharpness within the remaining third – till Dominic Solanke impressively out-muscled Ibrahima Konate for Bergvall to strike on 86 minutes.
Liverpool had appealed for a foul – and potential second yellow – when Bergvall slid in on Kostas Tsimikas a few minutes earlier than he struck. However referee Stuart Attwell waved play on and opted to not later punish the Spurs teenager. Tsimikas was then off the pitch, having acquired remedy, when Bergvall scored.
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Lucas Bergvall scored the winner in opposition to Liverpool, however ought to the Spurs midfielder have nonetheless been on the pitch?
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was incensed. “[The ref] made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. It was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sidelines knew it was supposed to be a yellow. There is a linesman there, a fourth official, there is VAR and a referee, and he doesn’t get a second yellow. I’m not saying this is the reason we lost today, but it was a big moment in the game.”
Solanke had already seen a purpose of his personal chalked off for offside, with the VAR name introduced over the general public handle system by referee Attwell for the primary time. That information was greeted by jeers from the Spurs followers and celebratory cheers from the Liverpool help – however the temper of these supporters switched with Bergvall’s late intervention.
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Dominic Solanke’s purpose was dominated out after nearer inspection by VAR, with referee Stuart Attwell asserting the choice to the gang in a UK first
For Ange Postecoglou and his group, this could possibly be an enormous second of their improvement. Spurs went into the tie already badly depleted and with new signing Antonin Kinsky thrown in for his debut in purpose. They then misplaced Rodrigo Bentancur to a worrying first-half damage which noticed the midfielder stretchered off after which taken to hospital. He later posted a constructive replace on social media, saying ‘All good’.
However with Kinsky impressing in his first recreation, together with a pointy save in second-half stoppage time to disclaim Darwin Nunez, Spurs have been in a position to restrict an off-colour Liverpool. They might have been forward earlier, too, with Pedro Porro seeing a shot blocked after which chipping vast when Bergvall caught Alisson in possession. Nevertheless, Radu Dragusin was wanted to dam Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fierce shot on the road.
Whereas Spurs celebrated what they are going to hope to be a turning level after a four-game winless run, Slot’s aspect have made a sluggish begin to the New Yr, first dropping factors at house to Manchester United within the Premier League and now they depart London with an uphill battle to show round this tie within the second leg on Thursday February 6.
Spurs’ controversial purpose: Why did Liverpool need Bergvall despatched off?
68: Lucas Bergvall was proven a yellow card for a sliding problem on Liverpool’s Luis Diaz.
84: Bergvall slides in on Kostas Tsimikas. Ref Stuart Attwell performs on which results in Darwin Nunez capturing on the right track. Play is then stopped so Tsimikas can obtain remedy however there is no such thing as a punishment for Bergvall, regardless of protests from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
86: Two minutes and 5 seconds after Bergvall’s deal with, he makes the breakthrough for Spurs, whereas Tsimikas is ready on the sidelines to return to the sector after receiving remedy. A Liverpool coach is booked by ref Attwell for complaining concerning the state of affairs. Spurs’ purpose got here straight from an uncontested drop ball.
Postecoglou praises Spurs’ resilience
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Ange Postecoglou made his emotions clear on the Carabao VAR trial, after the referee introduced the choice Solanke’s purpose was dominated out to the gang.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:
“We’re having to deal with adversity all the time. We started the game awfully well, and almost scored just before [the Bentancur injury]. Then we lose a key player in those kinds of circumstances. But all my players are resilient and they keep going, and they did that today.
“It is unimaginable while you assume that we have a few 18-year-olds on the market taking part in out of place. A left-back who’s not a left-back and a goalkeeper making his debut.
“The boys gave everything, we had to work hard. They put on some significant talent and we can’t make those changes. But the guys kept going and we got a deserved goal out of it.”
Slot: I by no means felt we have been going to lose
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Arne Slot admitted he was pissed off that Lucas Bergvall prevented a possible second yellow after which scored the matchwinner minutes after throughout their Carabao Cup semi-final in opposition to Spurs.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot:
“I never felt we were going to lose this game. Spurs started better than us but after that we had control, much more ball possession. If you go down to 10 for a few seconds against a team that can play so good football like Tottenham can [score].
“For those who ever must lose a recreation it is higher when there’s nonetheless a second leg to be performed. It’s miles from ultimate.
“I don’t think we’ll reach that level [of the 6-3 win] in every game we play. We all know how important it is for us and also the Spurs fans to go to the final. We knew it would never be the same game as two weeks ago.”
