Tottenham overcame Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal courtesy of a first-half penalty from Harry Kane. While Tottenham were the better side in the first half, Chelsea got back into the game in the second half and pushed Tottenham back.
Even though the Blues monopolised possession in the second half, Spurs stuck to their guns and defended resolutely. Tottenham’s back four and midfielders worked tirelessly in the second half to make sure Chelsea were not able to make their dominance count.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino praised the team’s performance and insisted that it is these types of results that help the team become mature.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Pochettino told Football.London, “I think we were very competitive tonight. I am so pleased. We played against one of the best teams in England and in Europe, a team that have been building to win titles.”
“They have unbelievable players. I think to win this type of game is an amazing, huge experience for us, to be more mature.”
The Tottenham manager also said that he was not surprised that the game was very different compared to the last time the sides met in November since this was a knockout competition.
He added, “We were playing a final. Of course, it’s a different approach in the Carabao Cup to Premier League. We must give credit to Chelsea. Unbelievable players and when they need to push they are great players.”
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