Tottenham booked their place in the Fourth Round of the League Cup as Dele Alli’s second-half goal secured a nervy 1-0 win over Championship Barnsley.
After a goalless draw with Swasea in the Premier League at Wembley on Saturday, Mauricio Pochettino will have wanted a significant response from his players on Tuesday night.
And while the strong side named by the Argentine did secure a win, at times they looked to have run out of ideas.
As Paul Clement's side did at the weekend, Paul Heckingbottom’s Barnsley came to the national stadium and looked to frustrate their hosts, sitting deep and leave little room with which to work.
In Pictures | EFL Cup Third Round
Spurs were once again a little unlucky in front of goal, with debutants Juan Foyth and Fernando Llorente both going close in the first half, however, they did look a little off the pace and arguably low on confidence as Barnsley held firm.
It wasn’t until past the hour mark when Spurs finally found a way through as Kieran Trippier’s pace got him to the by-line following a corner, allowing him to square for Alli who really couldn’t miss.
It’s a second win of the season under the arch for the north Londoner’s and Pochettino will be hoping just under a month on the road will be long enough for talk of any curse or hoodoo to fade.
