Tottenham’s late turnaround secured a 2-1 win over Championship side Coventry to progress to the Carabao Cup fourth round and keep four trophies available to Ange Postecoglou in his pursuit of second-season silverware.
Postecoglou took some by surprise when he fielded a side full of fringe players, days after making a point of saying that he “always” wins trophies in the second season at his clubs. Ultimately, his stars had to come on to rescue the game.
Coventry were superior side throughout and led until two minutes from regulation time after Brandon-Thomas Asante’s opener just past the hour. They could have been further ahead but Ben Davies stopped Haji Wright’s goalbound shot.
Djed Spence, a half-time introduction who many thought had no future at Spurs before the summer, poked in an equaliser after 88 minutes thanks to his fellow substitute Dejan Kuluseveski’s through ball.
Brennan Johnson then dinked over goalkeeper Ben Wilson, who produced a top save to deny Kulusveski not long before, in stoppage time to seal the win and send Spurs into the next round of the Carabao Cup, breaking Coventry hearts and saving his side’s blushes.
Watch Spurs’ late goals
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Tottenham find a crucial equaliser against Coventry through Djed Spence!
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Brennan Johnson finds a late winner for Spurs, leading to heartbreak for Coventry!
Redknapp: Ange took liberties tonight
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:
“Spurs were so poor and going nowhere fast. Ange will be mightily relieved. But they have to make sure that this is a turning point for them.
“I didn’t like the team he picked. I’m a big fan of Ange but l thought he took liberties tonight.
“He didn’t select a strong enough team but he has got away with it.
“Tottenham were diabolical up until the goals. Coventry were the better team. Ange Postecoglou will be so relieved.
“Tottenham got away with one, they were very, very fortunate.”
Postecoglou: No quick fix for Spurs
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a tough game. Credit to Coventry, I thought they were outstanding. They really took it to us. We had to hang in there somehow and we did. In the end credit to the lads. It was a typical cup tie.”
On the performance: “We weren’t as fluid performance-wise. Some of that is down to Coventry, they played with high energy. In the end I was pleased both for Djed [Spence] and Brennan [Johnson]. They have come on and made the difference for us and made a difference in the game.”
On what Brennan Johnson’s goal will do for his confidence: “Hopefully a great deal. He’s a fantastic young man, a great player. I have a lot of time for him because he works so hard every day. He took his goal well tonight and he made a good impact.”
On how significant the result is for Spurs: “There is no easy or quick fix to where we want to get to and one result doesn’t change that. We showed what we have been missing the first four games, a little bit of spirit to fight and win. We have lacked a little bit of an edge and hopefully tonight gives the boys a little bit of belief.”
Ange Postecoglou congratulates match-winner Brennan Johnson at full-time
Johnson wants the chaos to stop at Spurs
Tottenham goalscorer Brennan Johnson speaking to Sky Sports: “It was really difficult. There wasn’t one part of us that underestimated Coventry. We have played them a few times and know they play good football. At times we let them off too easy and gave them too many chances. We were under some real pressure but we will always keep going.”
On chaos in the game: “That has happened too many times. It has been a bit too chaotic. We gave the ball away too many times, we weren’t too much of a threat. For most of the game we didn’t play forward enough. The goals came from quick play and that’s what we want to do more often.”
On his goal: “It was really nice. It’s a great feeling to score especially so late. To get in the next round is really important. Penalties is a toss of a coin so getting the goal really late was very beneficial.”
When is the fourth-round draw?
The Carabao Cup fourth-round draw will take place live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of Liverpool vs West Ham on Wednesday September 25.
Ball numbers for the draw will be finalised on the morning of Wednesday 25 September.
The fourth round ties will take place week commencing October 28.