[TeKnIcIaN]

Spurs have just pounded Arsenal into the dirt in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final by a whopping 5 - 1! This may crack the confidence of the Arsenal team and cause them to drop some points in upcoming league games. At least, I hope so in my partisan viewpoint.

Of course, it will also give a boost to Spurs before they come visit OT for the FA Cup, but I'm sure we can handle it.

Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal: Rout ends hoodoo

Tottenham ended more than eight years of failure against arch-rivals Arsenal in some style with a resounding 5-1 win at White Hart Lane to book a trip to Wembley in the Carling Cup final.

Not since November 1999 and through 21 previous encounters had Spurs fans been able to laud it over the Gunners.

But following this comprehensive victory against a mainly young Arsenal side which just could not cope with the tenacity of Jermaine Jenas and the pace of frontman Robbie Keane, Juande Ramos will be confident of landing a first trophy in his maiden season at the famous redeveloped venue next month.

Spurs should have put the tie beyond doubt after dominating the first leg at Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago but following a late goal from Theo Walcott, Arsenal still had it all to play for.

However, despite adding experience in the form of captain William Gallas, Alex Hleb and, from the bench Cesc Fabregas and Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor, this proved one game too far for Arsene Wenger's emerging side, who nevertheless still have bigger prizes in their sights.

The tone was set for the evening when Spurs were off to a flyer inside the opening three minutes.

Dimitar Berbatov flicked the ball on to Jenas, who charged towards the edge of the area, before side-stepping Justin Hoyte.

The England midfielder, watched by new national team coach Fabio Capello, then coolly dispatched a low angled strike in off the far post.

This now was set to be a real test of Arsenal's character.

Nicklas Bendtner had a half chance following some neat work around the right side of the Spurs box, but his well-struck effort flew just over.

However, the tie looked all but over after 26 minutes when Spurs moved 2-0 ahead.

Jenas sent in a deep free-kick from the left, which floated into the Arsenal six-yard box.

Michael Dawson jumped with Bendtner and the unfortunate Dane could only guide the ball past his own keeper.

The home fans had waited almost a decade for a taste of success over their bitter rivals and could now sense they were within touching distance of a return to Wembley.

Spurs continued to press and Berbatov dragged his shot against the base of Lukasz Fabianski's right-hand post when he really should have scored after the Bulgarian was put clean through by the busy Jenas.

Spurs, though, had been here before - they were 2-0 up in the first leg of last season's Carling Cup semi-final only to eventually surrender their home advantage and then bow out at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal almost found a lifeline when a near-post free-kick was headed goalwards by Bacary Sagna but Radek Cerny produced a fine one-handed reaction save to show just why he is keeping out England's number one Paul Robinson.

Abou Diaby cut inside and blazed a 25-yard effort just over as the Gunners aimed to make Spurs pay for their careless finishing.

The hosts, however, continued to look dangerous on the break as neither side looked ready to let up on the relentless tempo ahead of the half-time interval.
The next goal would be crucial - and it was Spurs who secured safe passage to Wembley two minutes after the restart.

Berbatov flicked the ball onto Aaron Lennon in the centre circle. His exquisite pass with the outside of the boot split the visitors' defence as Keane ran on into the box.

The Republic of Ireland striker sent a half-volley towards the bottom right corner from just inside the box, which bounced up in front of Fabianski and flew into the net.

Arsenal almost produced a swift reply but Bendtner saw his acrobatic effort hit the bar, before Fabregas, on for the injured Denilson in the first half, then smacked the rebound straight at Cerny.

Steed Malbranque had a great chance to make it four when he went racing clean through, but this time the young Pole stood his ground to make a decent save and quickly recovered the loose ball from under Berbatov's feet.

The Wembley chants began to ring out around White Hart Lane as the hour mark approached.

Their short journey across north London on February 24 was confirmed when Lennon got in on the overlap down the right from Keane's quick pass and slammed in a low drive through Fabianski's legs.

With the tie now safe, Ramos gave Berbatov and Keane a rest as Jermain Defoe and Kevin-Prince Boateng went on after 62 minutes.

Wenger took off the ineffective Walcott, introducing Adebayor while Croatian forward Eduardo replaced full-back Armand Traore.

The Togo frontman pulled one back with 20 minutes left, linking up with Eduardo to smash home a 16th goal of the season from the edge of the box - but this time Spurs would not be denied a long-awaited victory as Malbranque netted a fifth in stoppage time.
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[funkdoctorspock]

Wasn't able to watch the match today.

Quick questsion. Was this Arsenal's usual first team starting XI or was it there usual CC starting XI?

Because that definitely makes a massive difference. As good has the CC starters/players have been for Arsenal's CC runs over the 2 years, there is a massive, massive difference in quality to that of there regular starting/first team players.

[RobsonLegend]

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

Quick questsion. Was this Arsenal's usual first team starting XI or was it there usual CC starting XI?

It was mainly their "cup lineup," although Fabregas came on early with Edmilson getting hurt, and Adebayor played a part as well. Gallas started. So did Sagna, Hleb, and Gilberto.

This can go one of two ways for Spurs: either it'll be the start of some great run for them, or they'll have a downer at their next match. Guess which one I'm hoping for?

[Mila]

I cant say that it was Arsenal's typical Cup Squad. They had Gallas, Gilberto, Fabregas (afeter the first 15 mins), Hleb and Adebayor.
They started the game very well, Walcot had some decent runs, and Bendtner had some attempts. They imposed a fast pace.

But 4 mins and they were caught with a rathr unexpected Jenas goal.
Then another one, and own goal by Bendtner.
From this point on the game was pretty much over. Arsenal were all over the pitch, with no good idea where to begin.

An important win for Spurs.

An even more important defeat for the Gunners - and the spat Adebayor had with Bendtner, the boody nose he gave the Dane - that spoke volumes about their team unity.

[macca247]

glad arsenal got stuffed thats them out the quadruple bring on spurs sunday i say