Spurs stride on as Chelsea are stunned
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Article summary
English League Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur FC continued their superb form to beat Liverpool FC 4-2 and reach the quarter-finals but Chelsea FC were knocked out at home on penalties by second-tier side Burnley FC.
Article top media content
Article body
Three-goal burst
Tottenham had won four games and drawn one since Redknapp took over last month and added another victory tonight eleven days after a 2-1 Premier League home defeat of Liverpool. The key was a three-goal burst in six minutes late in the first half with Roman Pavlyuchenko's strike followed by two from Frazier Campbell. Damien Plessis headed Liverpool back into the game just after the break only for Pavlyuchenko to swiftly score again. Sami Hyypiä made reduced arrears but although Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was injured his team held on.
Chelsea fall
Chelsea followed fellow UEFA Champions League contenders Liverpool out of the competition despite leading Burnley at half-time through Didier Drogba's first goal of the season. Ade Akinbiyi equalised for the second-tier visitors and they won 5-4 on penalties after John Mikel Obi's effort was saved by Brian Jensen.
Blackburn through
Blackburn Rovers FC won 2-1 at Sunderland AFC but had to withstand a home barrage before going ahead on 65 minutes thanks to substitute Roque Santa Cruz. Phil Bardsley put through an own goal five minutes later to double his side's deficit and although Kenwyne Jones immediately pulled one back an equaliser was not forthcoming. Spurs, Burnley and Blackburn join Arsenal FC, Manchester United FC, Stoke City FC and second-tier duo Derby County FC and Watford FC in the quarter-final draw on Saturday, with a UEFA Europa League berth on offer for the eventual winners.