Spurs on course

By Chris,
January 6 2009

League Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur look on course to book another trip to Wembley following a 4-1 semi-final, first-leg win over Burnley. Spurs came from a goal behind to comfortably beat their Championship counterparts and put themselves on the verge of another major cup final. United take on Derby County in the other semi-final.

Burnley have beaten Fulham, Arsenal and Chelsea on their way to the semi-final - and travelled to White Hart Lane confident of staging another upset.

Things were looking good for the Lancashire club as Martin Paterson put them ahead after twelve minutes following some great work from Chris Eagles.

Ex-Red Eagles was in rampant form throughout the opening half as the Clarets controlled proceedings.

However, Harry Redknapp's men staged a convincing second-half comeback. Michael Dawson restored parity, before substitute Jamie O'Hara put the home side ahead.

Roman Pavlyuchenko gave Spurs a two-goal lead on 65 minutes, before a Michael Duff own-goal made it 4-1 only three minutes later.

Burnley collapsed after half-time with a series of defensive blunders putting the Lilywhites in the ascendancy. It will take a massive performance from the Championship play-off hopefuls if they are to deny Spurs another trip to Wembley.

The bookmakers are now certain than United will face Spurs in the final - but the Red Devils, likely to be weakened, must not underestimate Derby.