Advantage Spurs as Postecoglou’s side secure a narrow first leg win

Tottenham will hold a one-goal lead over Anfield in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final after narrowly beating the Premier League leaders in north London on Wednesday.

A goal from 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall four minutes from time made the difference in a thrilling encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, the game was marred by what appeared to be a very serious injury to Rodrigo Bentancur in the first half, which resulted in the midfielder being taken to hospital.

Spurs had never been held to a goalless draw during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure and it looked like the game was going that way before Bergvall scored and only Arne Slot’s side suffered their second defeat of the season bestowed.

It was Tottenham’s first win since the EFL’s round of 16 victory over Manchester United.

Victory in the first leg! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ktX5W2OTjA

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025

Before the game, Postecoglou had cited his side’s long list of absences as a reason for their dip in results in recent weeks, even going so far as to say that Salah would find it difficult to be productive in such an injury-ravaged team.

And Spurs were dealt another blow when the returning Bentancur had to be carried off the bed after just six minutes and taken to hospital for treatment. .

Despite the change and the resulting long delay, it was Postecoglou’s team that got off to the best start. Meanwhile, the league leaders were careless in possession of the ball.

Alisson had to be alert to keep out Radu Dragușin’s early effort, while Dominic Solanke shot narrowly wide from Son Heung-min’s cross.

Liverpool also had to make a change in the first half after Jarell Quansah was replaced by Wataru Endo.

The Reds then had a few more half-chances as the half drew to a close thanks to Salah and Cody Gakpo, but none of these attempts really worried Spurs new signing Antonin Kinksy.

“An incredible time to score your first goal for the club!” 🎙

Lucas Bergvall gives Spurs the lead after the 85th minute of the first leg! 💥 pic.twitter.com/NxZxPt9vLH

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 8, 2025

After the break it was Liverpool’s shot-stopper at the center of the action as Alisson was almost overwhelmed by Bergvall as he attempted to play from the back.

The Brazilian escaped the first challenge, but Bergvall came back again and forced the ball into the path of Pedro Porro, whose first shot was blocked, but who then missed the follow-up.

Kinsky was called into action again when he parried from substitute Darwin Nunez. Dragusin then cleared off the line from Trent Alexander-Arnold – another Slot substitute – as the game began to open up.

With just under 15 minutes left, Spurs thought they had taken the lead when Porro’s pass found Solanke, who evaded the Reds’ defense.

However, the video referee determined that the former Liverpool player was offside.

Ten minutes later the hosts scored a decisive goal. After another pass from Porro, Solanke fended off Ibrahima Konate before passing the ball to Bergvall, who finished well from just outside the box to score his first goal for Spurs.

The visitors were frustrated that Bergvall was even on the pitch to score after he avoided a second yellow card for a foul on Konstantinos Tsimikas just before goal.

In the end, the Swede’s goal was enough to give Spurs a narrow lead ahead of the second leg at Anfield on February 6th.