Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal

Good evening and welcome along to live coverage of the Carling Cup semi-final second leg which sees north London rivals Spurs and Arsenal go head-to-head for a place at Wembley.

Things are all square at 1-1 after the first leg, much to the chagrin of Spurs who should have romped home, Jermain Defore especially guilty of a glaring miss to win the game late on and break the much vaunted hoodoo the Gunners hold over their neighbours.

Right, let's get the stat attack out of the way early on. Most correspondents keep them in their locker and tease them out at pertinent moments in the game but as I'm expecting this one to be an all out blood and guts thriller I'm going to unleash them now so I can concetrate fully on describing the action. Strap yourself in....

Spurs haven't beaten Arsenal since 1999 - that's 21 games. Tottenham haven't won at Arsenal since 1987, also in a League Cup semi-final. The League Cup is the only domestic trophy Arsene Wenger has yet to win. In Wenger's 13 games at White Hart Lane he has won three, drawn nine and lost just one. Arsenal won last season's Carling Cup semi-final 5-3 on aggregate. There....that's better.....

As for the teams, Wenger has added a dash of experience to his youthful line-up in the shape of skipper William Gallas, right-back Bacary Sagna and midfielder Alexander Hleb.

It's pretty much full strength for Spurs: Cerny, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Lee, Lennon, Jenas, Tainio, Malbranque, Keane, Berbatov.

Here come the teams to a wall of sound, mostly chubby cockney wide boy's shouting abuse at each other admittedly....

The original 'look at me, I'm a showman' referee gets us underway. That's Howard Webb by the way.

That's Howard Webb who is going to represent the Premier League at the Euro 2008 tournament I'm reliably informed...

Great atmosphere here early on - the Spurs contingent are right up for this, they can smell an end to the hoodoo.

Good early spell of pressure from the Gunners which ends disappointingly, as Gilberto smashes one high and wide.

GOAL! Its Jermaine Jenas again! He dribbled to the edge of the area, fired across Fabianski and the ball is in off the post. What a start! Spurs 1-0 Arsenal.

The roof nearly lifted off the Lane after Jenas's goal - probably out of surprise as the former England man usually goes to pieces in front of goal.

More bad news for Arsenal, Denilson pulled up in possession and looks like he's tweaked his pork string.

My mistake, how naive of me, Denilson is back on and looks fine all of a sudden. Going down like you are half dead is no barometer these days. Apologies.

Corner for Spurs after good work by Keane.

Sagna clears comfortably from Jenas' corner and Arsenal regroup.

The first threatening move from Arsenal, Bendtner clipping a ball in looking for Denilson, but the youngster had strayed offside.

Lovely interplay between Bendtner and Hleb, a couple of one-two's resulted in a rising shot from the young Dane that just flew over the bar.

Superb challenge by Ledley King as Bendtner released Sagna. How Spurs have missed their skipper...

Its been all Arsenal since the goal, but they haven't fashioned a clear opening as of yet.

Oooh, Berbatov had just wandered half a yard offside as Aaron Lennon's cross picked him out expertly.

End to end stuff now! Walcott nearly jinked into the penalty area before King cleared, then Keane diddled Gallas and squared past Fabianski but Hoyte was on hand to clear.

Well done Michael Dawson and Cerny the keeper, blocking a Walcott run from a Denilson through ball. Dangerous. Spurs clear the corner well.

Cesc Fabregas IS coming on, I'm guessing for the crocked Denilson.

Denilson limps off with a poorly hamstring and the maestro, Fabregas, is on.

Even the formidable Gallas is having his work cut out with Keane and Berba up front. Spurs look threatening every time they thrust forward.

Malbranque has been carded for a nasty lunge on Sagna. First booking of the game.

That's more like it from Jenas as he shanks a through ball intended for Berbatov. Poor.

I should mention another few names on Arsenal's bench - Eduardo, Adebayor and Flamini. There. Nice.

Its got a bit scrappy since the Arsenal change but Spurs have weathered the Gunners' surge after they went in front.

Lovely turn and pass from Fabregas - he's already pulling the strings for the away side.

Spurs hit back and Keane looks for Malbranque but Sagna nods back to his keeper.

Berbatov wins a free-kick off Traore and Jenas can deliver an in-swinger from a dangerous area.

GOAL! Dawson climbs to meet the ball but Bendtner gets the final touch to nod past Fabianski! Spurs 2-0 Arsenal.

I might detest the man but it was a lovely, whipped ball in from Jenas. Dawson rose in front of Bendtner, who was unsighted, and the ball flicked his bonce and hit the net. A dream opening for Spurs.

The Spurs fans have a faint whiff of Wembley in their nostrils now and the noise is immense.

Off the post! Berbatov was clean through, beat Fabianski with his shot but the ball comes back off the upright. Will that come back to haunt the Bulgarian and Spurs?!

At the other end Cerny saves well from a Sagna flick on as Fabregas curled in a free-kick.

Now Berbatov has fluffed a simple ball which would have set Keane clean through! Two minutes for Berba to forget.

Diaby bursts into the Spurs area there and Chimbonda flies in but manages just to get enough on it to concede a corner and not a penalty.

Great clearing header from Dawson but Arsenal are in control at the minute.

WORD OF CAUTION: Spurs have been here before of course, in last season's semi-final. They cruised into a 2-0 lead at the Lane but ended up drawing 2-2.

A vital ten minutes for Spurs who desperately need to get to the break without conceding a goal.

Good spell from Spurs as Berabtov turns Gallas, then Lennon just can't link up with Keane; at the other end Diaby comes inside and whacks one just over from 20 yards.

More great work from Berba who hooks the ball round Traore from Verny's huge kick, his pass can't find his strike partner though.

Now Lennon takes on Traore and beats him to the byline but his cross is collected by Fabianski.

Sagna has given away a free-kick after shoving Malbranque over. A dangerous position, not far from where Spurs scored their second.

Another good delivery from JJ as Dawson wins the header but he got too much on it and the ball sailed over.

Spurs are right up for this, three of their players launching into a challenge as Traore looked to race down the left.

Bendtner is flagged offside there but looked level. Nice ball from Walcott too.

Two very uncharacteristic mistakes from Arsenal, being very careless in possession, neither Berbatov nor Lennon could take advantage however.

Great hustling and harrying from Spurs, forcing Arsenal into panic pass mode. Two minutes added in the first half, and Spurs have a corner on the right.

Lennon wastes the corner, then another chance to cross as it came back to him. Poor.

Jenas robs Gallas there, hurtles into the box but his touch is a little heavy and his shot on the slide hits the side netting. That's half time...

So, 45 minutes for Arsenal to save their Wembley ambitions. How long until we see the big guns Eduardo and Adebayor I wonder?

Arsenal press early on and Walcott looks to get onto Bendtner's ball but just can't reach it.

Now Fabregas tries to unleash a drive but Jenas blocks well. Arsenal have started like they mean business.

GOAL! Robbie Keane breaks away, collects a wonderful ball from Lennon and fires past Fabianski! Spurs 3-0 Arsenal!

Unbelievable action! At the other end Walcott chips across goal, Bendtner's overhead kick cannons off the bar and Fabregas' volley from the rebound in gathered by Cerny!

Now Fabregas is holding up an object that has been thrown at him as he goes over to take a corner. No need.

Another breakaway chance for Spurs! Lennon releases Malbranque who goes clean through but his shot is well saved by Fabianski. It could have been four!

Wow, the first half was very good but the second half has been breathtaking so far. We could have had four goals already!

Nice intricate pasing from Arsenal but they can't find a way through. The ball keeps coming back at Spurs though who are happy to play solely on the break now.

The White Hart Lane wide boys are loving this. 'Cahhmonn yoooo Spuuuurs!'

Fabregas needs to be careful here, he just took a wild lunge at Jenas after giving away possession. Great player, bit of a temper mind.

As my soccernet colleague Dom Raynor points out, the atmosphere at White Hart Lane is akin to a famous European Cup night, not the Carling chuffin' Cup!

Tainio is going off for some treatment after taking a knock.

Just to remind you, if Spurs do hang on this will be their first win over Arsenal since 1999. That, is a long time.

Arsenal are still pressing though and look like they have a goal in them, Hleb touching off to Bendtner there whose shot goes behind for a corner.

GOAL! Spurs are off to Wembley! Another great break, Berbatov feeds Lennon and he fires under Fabianski to clinch a famous Spurs victory. Spurs 4-0 Arsenal.

Arsenal's disgruntled fans are streaming out of the stadium now but at least they can reflect on a great run against their rivals.

Just less than half-an-hour top go. If Arsenal manage to get anywhere near this it'll be the comeback of all time.

The Gunners' frustration is showing now as Hoyte is booked for a horrible lunge on Keane. From the free-kick Berbatov flicks just wide!

Juande Ramos has the luxury of resting a few players now and Keane and Berbatov are off to be replaced by Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jermain Defoe.

And surely too little too late from Arsene Wenger as Eduardo and Adebayor come on for Theo Walcott and Armand Traore.

Gilberto has gone back to play at centre half for Arsenal now as part of their reshuffle.

Arsene Wenger will be devastated should either Adebayor or Eduardo get crocked in the remaining 25 minutes. I'm suprised he's chucked them on to be honest.

Spurs charge forward again on the break but this time Malbranque shoots straight at Fabianski.

First sniff for Adebayor but he was offside when Hleb's slide rule pass found him.

GOAL! Adebayor rifles in a beauty! Making space for himself on the edge of the box at the expense of Ledley King he then hammers a right footer into the top corner. The comeback is on! Spurs 4-1 Arsenal.

Now a yellow card for Jenas as Eduardo streaked forward. If Arsenal can get another one in the next five minutes or so Spurs may start to wobble here....

Arsenal have gone completely gung ho now, effectively playing 2-6-2. Will it pay off or might they leave the door open for more humiliation?

A yellow card for Adebayor there as he upends Jenas. A substitution too, Huddlestone on for Lennon. Ramos is content to shut up shop, and why not..

Its all being played in front of Spurs' penalty area now. Ten men behind the ball for the home side.

By the way, all three of tonight's FA Cup third round replays have gone to extra time, including Bristol Rovers v Fulham. Interesting.

Arsene Wenger looks resigned to his fate now, but it will only be his second defeat at the Lane in 14 games. Not bad eh?

Arsenal are happy to leave just Gilberto back against Defoe now but the Brazilian wins that duel as a long ball looked for the pint-sized striker.

Less than ten minutes left for Arsenal's version of Mission Impossible.

Boateng gives away a free-kick on the edge of the box out to the left wing. A big chance for Arsenal from a nice angle.

Now Arsenal are imploding, William Gallas and Niklas Bendtner are squaring up against one another. Their team-mates seperate them just in time.

Adebayor is lucky to stay on the field there after a hand to the face of Young-Pyo Lee. The Spurs man did make a meal of it though.

The noise returns now as the Spurs fans realise their cup dream is within touching distance. I've not heard at atmosphere like it at the Lane, in fact, I didn't think they were capable of it.

Ramos still looks the epitome of cool in the dug out amid all the unbridled passion surrounding him.

Spurs may face another bogey team in the final as Chelsea take on Everton in the second semi-final tomorrow night.

Another super Spurs move only spoiled by the linesman's flag as Boateng strayed offside.

Good chance for Hoyte there as Eduardo found him in the box, but Chimbonda blocks well.

Ooh, Defoe has missed a sitter! Huddlestone galloped forward, Gilberto's challenge broke the ball towards Defoe who was unmarked ten yards out but he fired three yards wide. Awful effort.

Three minutes of stoppage time is nearly up and Spurs can crank up the party, they're indulging in verse upon verse of 'Que sera sera' at present.

Arsenal's last throw of the dice comes from Eduardo who tries an ambitious volley from 30 yards out. It goes wide and the Gunners are out.

GOAL! That is what is officially known as the icing on the cake! Jenas breaks into a depleted Arsenal penalty area and slides it across for Malbranque to tap into an empty net. Get this, Spurs 5-1 Arsenal!

There it is! A famous, and throughly deserved victory for Spurs - they have finally broken the nine-year curse to beat their arch rivals, and they've only gone and done it 5-1! Good on them I say. Thanks for your company this evening. Until next time....