Tottenham survive shootout as Arsenal cruise through
LONDON: Tottenham survived a penalty shootout to beat Watford in the League Cup third round while Arsenal advanced to the last 16 with a 3-1 win over Championship side Brentford.
Temporarily homeless Tottenham ignored their unfamiliar surroundings to see off Watford after a 2-2 draw at Stadium MK on Wednesday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been playing their home games at Wembley while their delayed new arena is built, but because the national stadium was not ready after the Anthony Joshua boxing match on Saturday, they were forced to borrow Milton Keynes Dons’ ground.
Tottenham fell behind when Nigerian forward Isaac Success struck 40 seconds after half-time.
Christian Kabasele’s foul on Alli in the 82nd minute led to the Watford substitute’s dismissal and a penalty for Tottenham.
England star Dele Alli picked himself up to score the spot-kick before Erik Lamela put Tottenham ahead four minutes later.
Etienne Capoue equalised in the 89th minute, but Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga saved two penalties in the shoot-out.
Then Alli, named captain on his return to the club where he started his career, fittingly scored the decider.
In their first meeting with Brentford since 1947, Danny Welbeck headed Arsenal into the lead after just five minutes at the Emirates and the forward struck again in the 37th minute.
Alan Judge got one back for Brentford with a deflected free-kick in the 58th minute.
But Alexandre Lacazette’s 90th minute goal ensured Unai Emery’s side held on for their sixth successive win in all competitions.
Nottingham Forest eased through with a 3-2 win over fellow second tier side Stoke at the City Ground.