Poch relief after Dele snuffs out Barnsley
A COMPETITION sponsored by an energy drink delivered a sleep-inducing atmosphere to wembley as Tottenham forced their way past Championship strugglers Barnsley.
More than 60,000 empty seats created a hushed mood and Spurs were frustrated for more than an hour by a combination of well- organised opponents and lack of imagination.
Dele Alli made the breakthrough 20 minutes into the second half, converting a low cross from kieran Trippier to secure a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The attendance of 23,926 was slightly down on Tottenham’s crowd for a tie at the same stage of the competition last year against Gillingham at white Hart Lane.
wembley’s imposing size made it feel very different but a quiet night was fine by Mauricio Pochettino.
‘The performance was good,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘There were a lot of positive things to take and the opportunity to go to the next stage of the competition. we’re happy.
‘It’s difficult for the fans to come to every game but thank you to them. They’re behind us and I appreciate that.
‘Barnsley defended very well. It was difficult to create chances. we could not shoot on target for the first 60 minutes and that speaks well about the work of our opponents.’
Pochettino also praised stand-in goalkeeper Michel Vorm for a save to deny Ike Ugbo in the opening seconds of the second half. ‘He kept us alive,’ said the Argentine, who made changes last night, although there was no shortage of Premier League experience in the side he selected.
Alli, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen started and there was a debut for Juan Foyth, a teenage centre half signed for £8million from Estudiantes in Argentina. The 19- year- old almost marked the occasion with a goal, climbing to meet a corner from Trippier and glancing narrowly wide.
After 40 minutes under pressure, Barnsley almost stole into the lead before half-time. Liam Lindsay rose unchallenged but missed the target.
Vorm saved from Ugbo and Brad Potts fired wide before Alli’s goal put the home team in control. ‘ The one cross we didn’t defend properly, he taps in,’ said Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom. ‘In the end the pressure did tell, but they didn’t open us up too much.’