English League Cup semi-final, second leg/Arsenal 3 Tottenham 1 (Arsenal win 5-3 on agg):Unrelenting rivals could not be prised apart in normal time and it took two extra-time goals from Jeremie Aliadiere (105th minute) and Tomas Rosicky (113th) to send Arsenal into the League Cup final.
It looked as if Emmanuel Adebayor's 77th-minute goal had sent them to the first all-London final with Chelsea, but Tottenham regrouped to equalise within eight minutes as the substitute Mido, who nearly snatched outright victory late into the second half, climbed to head home a Jermaine Jenas free-kick.
With away goals not counted until extra-time was over, Arsenal, who drew 2-2 at White Hart Lane, had to steel themselves for a further half-hour of a gruelling affair once Paul Robinson had pulled off impressive saves from Denilson and Kolo Toure. But Arsenal's extra reserves proved the stronger as they went on to outclass their north London rivals in extra-time.
With a place in the final on the horizon, Arsene Wenger immediately brought back Gilberto Silva after suspension and stopped using this tournament to flaunt the next generation of Arsenal talent. Young as the team was, six had started in Sunday's draw with Bolton and four more were on the bench. Thierry Henry alone had been guaranteed a night off.
Martin Jol aimed for a more conservative stance. He had not been able to keep Aaron Lennon in his plans after he was taken ill shortly before the game. He was then named as a substitute and when he could not fill even that role it was too late for Lee Young-Pyo to be allowed to take over those duties. With 14 minutes gone, a Denilson drive flew straight to Robinson but the England keeper did not hold it and Toure, following up, bundled the ball wide.
Wenger employed a 4-3-3 system that stretched Tottenham, with Theo Walcott and Jeremie Aliadiere ready to pull right or left respectively when the ball ran to their flank. The principles were demonstrated after 23 minutes when an overlapping Justin Hoyte crossed low and Aliadiere was in the middle for an effort that ran off target.
Tottenham hinted at incisiveness now and again. Nothing elaborate had been needed to bring about a good opportunity in the 10th minute. A long pass by Michael Dawson saw Robbie Keane run clear, but Manuel Almunia came off his line to block and then challenged again to ensure that nothing more was conceded than a throw-in.
Jol's strategy could have prevailed before half-time. Hossan Ghaly had broken clear on the right after 38 minutes and Steed Malbranque, striving to apply power, sent a header off target.
With the seasoned Rosicky taking over from the teenager Walcott in the 64th minute no one could doubt Wenger's desire to settle matters as soon as was conceivable. And with 77 minutes gone, it was a Rosicky pass to Adebayor, who rolled a finish past Robinson. This time, however, Jol's side did have a response, but to no avail in the end.
ARSENAL:Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore (Clichy 63), Walcott (Rosicky 63), Denilson, Silva, Diaby (Fabregas 79), Aliadiere, Adebayor. Subs not used: Poom, Flamini. Booked: Denilson, Diaby. Goals: Adebayor 77, Aliadiere 105, Rosicky 113.
TOTTENHAM:Robinson, Chimbonda, Gardner (Rocha 73), Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Ghaly (Huddlestone 80), Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (Mido 80), Defoe, Keane. Subs not used: Cerny, Lennon. Booked: Jenas, Gardner, Ghaly, Zokora, Defoe. Goals: Mido 85.
Referee:A Wiley (Staffordshire).
