Stoke City 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur: Jose Mourinho’s side one win from final
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Gareth Bale has scored three goals in three different competitions since returning to Tottenham – the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup
Tottenham moved to within two wins of a first major trophy since 2008 after seeing off Championship Stoke City in the Carabao Cup.
Gareth Bale’s third goal since returning on loan from Real Madrid saw Jose Mourinho’s side take the lead, the Wales forward beating Andy Lonergan with a flicked header from Harry Winks’ wonderful delivery.
Spurs were dominant and should have scored more before half-time but Lonergan, part of Liverpool’s title-winning squad of last season, made good saves to twice deny Dele Alli as well as Harry Kane.
Stoke were much better after the interval and equalised with their first shot on target when Jacob Brown picked out Jordan Thompson to produce a controlled finish past Hugo Lloris.
But Ben Davies’ 25 yard finish in-off the post ensured Spurs regained the lead before Harry Kane lashed home his side’s third goal.
Tottenham join holders Manchester City and Championship Brentford in the semi-final draw which takes place after the fourth and final quarter-final tie between Everton and Manchester United (20:00 GMT kick-off) on Wednesday.
Spurs get the job done
Thirteen months after Mourinho’s appointment, Spurs are within touching distance of a long-overdue trophy after doing the business on a wet and windy night in the Potteries.
They were given a scare when Thompson levelled but their quality saw them over the line as they returned to winning ways after losing top spot in the Premier League.
Mourinho, looking to win the cup for a fifth time with a third different club after three triumphs at Chelsea and one with Manchester United, made seven changes but showed how seriously he rates the competition by starting the likes of Kane and Lloris.
It was Bale who set them on their way, a lovely header from around the penalty spot after a delicious delivery from Winks, who was excellent throughout.
The tie would have been over before half-time but for Lonergan.
But Spurs moved up a gear after conceding thanks to Davies’ first goal since September 2017 before Kane’s 16th goal of the season following Moussa Sissoko’s threaded pass.
After three games without a win, this was a welcome return to winning ways but Mourinho will not be satisfied until he has both hands on the trophy.
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Stoke City
Squad number28Player nameLonergan
Squad number37Player nameCollins
Squad number36Player nameSouttar
Squad number6Player nameBatth
Squad number14Player nameSmith
Squad number24Player nameCousins
Squad number34Player nameThompson
Squad number3Player nameFox
Squad number20Player nameOakley-Boothe
Squad number18Player nameBrown
Squad number11Player nameMcClean
Squad number9Player nameVokes
Squad number21Player nameFletcher
Squad number25Player namePowell
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Line-ups Stoke
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Live Text
Match ends, Stoke City 1, Tottenham Hotspur 3.
90’+4′
Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Tottenham Hotspur 3.
90’+3′
Attempt saved. Sam Vokes (Stoke City) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nick Powell.
90’+2′
Attempt missed. Tommy Smith (Stoke City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Steven Fletcher with a headed pass.
90’+2′
Attempt blocked. Steven Fletcher (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tommy Smith with a cross.
90’+1′
Foul by Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur).
90’+1′
Jordan Cousins (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+1′
Attempt blocked. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Son Heung-Min.
90′
Foul by Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur).
90′
Nick Powell (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88′
Attempt saved. Danny Batth (Stoke City) header from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Harry Souttar.
86′
Attempt missed. Steven Fletcher (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Tommy Smith with a cross following a set piece situation.
85′
Foul by Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur).
85′
Jordan Cousins (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
83′
Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the right wing.
83′
Foul by Nick Powell (Stoke City).
83′
Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
83′
Foul by Danny Batth (Stoke City).
81′
Goal! Stoke City 1, Tottenham Hotspur 3. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko.
79′
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Harry Souttar.
