Capital One Cup
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United 

Wednesday, 18th December 2013
by Staff Writer

West Ham United are the final London club standing in this season's Capital One Cup after seeing off Tottenham in tonight's big capital derby.

Following Chelsea's exit 24 hours previously the winners of tonight's tie would fly the flag for London. That honour was bestowed upon West Ham after goals from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga sent the Hammers through the the last four of the competition for the ninth time in its 54-year history.

Sam Allardyce had the last laugh as critics who panned him for making a number of changes to his team were silenced as not for the first time this season, the manager got his tactics just about right here at White Hart Lane.

As was the case against Fulham recently it was a flurry of late, tactical substitutions that won the day for West Ham. Carlton Cole, who ran his socks off for scant reward lasted 65 minutes before being replaced by Modibo Maiga. Mo Diame and Ravel Morrison completed the trio that would chang the game in United's favour.

Having fallen behind to a beautifully-worked, counter-attacking goal from Emmanuel Adebayor two minutes after Maiga's introduction - little more than Spurs had deserved having enjoyed around 70 per cent of possession - West Ham, who had produced little of note finally sparked into life. Diame and Matt Taylor both stung Hugo Lloris' hands, before the Hammers drew level with just ten minutes of normal time remaining.

A long punt from (the outstanding) Adrian was nodded on by Maiga, who was once again looking lively. Matt Taylor's touch and lay-off were sublime and Jarvis applied the finishing touch, smashing the ball high into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

The 4,500 away fans had barely finished celebrating Jarvis' goal when Maiga finally ended his year-long goal drought to send West Ham into the semi finals.

Ravel Morrison, the player Tottenham had feared skipped across the penalty box before releasing Diame to the right of the area. Diame's hanging cross was perfect for Maiga, who twisted his neck to send the ball into the corner and Tottenham out of the competition.

Five minutes of added-on time produced a couple of chances for each side and West Ham had Adrian to thank for one particularly stunning reflex save that maintained United's slender advantage. But it was Maiga who went closest to adding another goal when his 93rd-minute volley crashed off the upright with Lloris well beaten.

Sam Allardyce has now seen his team win at White Hart Lane as often as they've won at home in the Premier League this season. That peculiarity aside, the manager was delighted at another famous victory in N17. "We went all out and got our just rewards in the end because we were the dominant force in the final quarter of the game," he said.

Amidst all the euphoria West Ham later learned that awaiting them in the semi finals are Manchester City, where a Herculean effort will be required to see the Citizens off over two legs. However those are concerns for another day - when hopefully Big Sam will have his full squad available.

"The big disappointment is that we have Manchester City in the semi," he said. "Away from home they haven't been too clever but at home they've been scoring an average of four goals per game. You never know and we'll go and give it our best shot, but we want to see more performances like that and pick up more points in what is the main priority for us, the Premier League."

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Player Ratings

Adrian
Great distribution, great save to preserve our lead in injury time.


Joey O Brien
A lion. A tiger. Some other large cats too. Immense in defence.


George McCartney
"Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be Gorgeous George". Fantastic effort, worked his socks off.


Razvan Rat
Caught out once or twice but had his work cut out.


James Collins
Captain for the night and led by example. Nearly scored with a cheeky back-pass to Lloris that he saw the funny side of.


Alou Diarra
A constant thorn in Tottenham's side, protecting the back four.


Jack Collison
Grew into the game and almost grabbed a late goal with a lovely shot that stung Lloris' hands.


Matt Taylor
Culpable for allowing Defoe to squeeze past him for the Spurs goal but made up for it with an assist for Jarvis' equaliser. Also forced a good save late on.


Joe Cole
The one sour note on a great night. Dreadful passing and looked completely out of sorts.


Matt Jarvis
Contributed little of note until he popped up to score his second of the season.


Carlton Cole
The modern day Iain Dowe. Whilst the quality isn't quite what's required at this level he always gives 100 per cent.



Substitutes

Modibo Maiga
Outstanding. Won the header that led to the first goal, scored the second and rattled the woodwork from 30 yards. That's what we paid millions for.


Mo Diame
His energy and will to push forward drove the Hammers on in that vital final 15 minute period. Great cross for the winning goal.


Ravel Morrison
The player Tottenham feared - and they were right to do so. A major hand in the winning goal.


Jussi Jaaskelainen
Did not play.


Leo Chambers
Did not play.


Guy Demel
Did not play.


Mark Noble
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Adrian, Joey O Brien, George McCartney, Razvan Rat, James Collins, Alou Diarra, Jack Collison, Matt Taylor, Joe Cole, Matt Jarvis, Carlton Cole.

Goals: Matt Jarvis 80 Modibo Maiga 85                .

Booked: Alou Diarra 61          .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Tottenham Hotspur: Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches, Danny Rose, Aaron Lennon, Mousa Dembele, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Andros Townsend, Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermain Defoe.

Subs not used: Brad Friedel, Roberto Soldado, Christian Eriksen, Ryan Fredericks.

Goals: Emmanuel Adebayor (67).

Booked: Emmanuel Adebayor (33).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick.

Attendance: 34,080.

Man of the Match: James Collins.