Tottenham Hotspur have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at White Hart Lane this evening.
Spurs dominated the first half, but they were unable to find a way past a stubborn Seagulls backline in what was a goalless opening 45 minutes.
Substitute Erik Lamela gave Spurs the breakthrough 10 minutes after the restart, however, before Harry Kane sealed victory 20 minutes later.
Read how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the League Cup fourth-round meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at White Hart Lane.
Managers Mauricio Pochettino and Sami Hyypia come into this game under pressure having seen their respective teams booed off at the weekend, although a place in the quarter-finals of this competition – which is up for grabs for the winner this evening - will no doubt buoy supporters.
Kickoff in North London is less than 30 minutes away, so let's take a look at how both sides line up.
TEAM NEWS!
TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Vorm, Naughton, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies, Dembele, Stambouli, Lennon, Kane, Townsend, Soldado
BRIGHTON STARTING XI: Walton, Calderon, Dunk, Hughes, Chicksen, Ince, Holla, Forster-Caskey, LuaLua, McCourt, Colunga
Spurs welcome Federico Fazio back into their starting lineup following the conclusion of the summer recruit's suspension, while Kyle Naughton has recovered from injury. Ben Davies, who has openly admitted that he is a little frustrated not to have featured more for Tottenham this season, is given another opportunity to impress in the League Cup at full-back. Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane have been selected up top.
Kazenga LuaLua returns for the visiting side following suspension, although Sam Baldock is cup-tied so will have to sit out once more. Craig Mackail-Smith and Bruno were both injury doubts heading into the match, and while the former makes the bench, the latter misses out completely. Andrew Crofts and Dale Stephens remain on the sidelines.
UPDATE! Incidentally, it has been confirmed that kickoff at White Hart Lane this evening has been pushed back by 15 minutes, meaning that we will now get underway at 8pm.
Can the hosts maintain their goalscoring run in the League Cup this evening?
BENCH WATCH!
TOTTENHAM SUBSTITUTES: Friedel, Dier, Chiriches, Chadli, Lamela, Mason, Paulinho
BRIGHTON SUBSTITUTES: Ankergren, Greer, Gardner, Bennett, Mackail-Smith, Teixeira, O'Grady
Plenty of quality options for Spurs to call on should they need to, with Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela and Paulinho among their substitutes this evening. Ryan Mason made a huge impact when introduced in the last round, but he has to make due with a place on the bench for this one. As already mentioned, Mackail-Smith has been struggling with a hamstring injury and therefore is only fit enough for place among the visiting side's backups, along with Aston Villa loanee Joe Bennett.
Well it's a strong looking Spurs side on the face of it, and that is not too surprising when you look at the position that manager Mauricio Pochettino is currently under. It all started so well for him after making the move to North London from Southampton in the summer, winning his first four games in all competitions before the wheels slowly started to come off.
It has by no means been a disastrous start for Tottenham, although supporters will certainly demand more from their side having won just three of their opening nine Premier League games. Victory here will see the Lillywhites progress into the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup, however, which will surely lift some of the weight of Pochettino's shoulders - for the time being at least.
As for Brighton, Hyypia is arguably under even more pressure coming into this one with his team hovering just above the relegation zone in the Championship. Remember, this time last year the former Liverpool man was flying high in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, and now, well, he isn't.
This competition has over Hyypia some respite in fact, with Brighton's only victory in their last 11 games coming against Burton in the last round. In the league they have failed to win in 10 games stretching back to August but, much like Spurs and Pochettino, a win here will make the world of difference to morale on and off the field.
A quick reminder that kickoff has been pushed back to 8pm this evening...
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: In the last six meetings between these two sides, Spurs have won four, lost one and drawn one. They have only previously faced off once in this competition before, meanwhile, that coming back in the 1982-83 season when Brighton succumbed to a 2-1 defeat over two legs in the second round.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Spurs looked for all the world as though they would be crashing out of this competition at the first hurdle last time out, overcoming Nottingham Forest 3-1 following a nervy 70 minutes or so. Mason made a huge difference when introduced, though, turning the game on its head with his side's first goal, before Soldado and Kane wrapped it up late on.
Brighton have had to overcome Burton Albion (3-0), Swindon Town (4-2) and Cheltenham (2-0) to get to this stage, and although their league form has been poor so far this season, they will no doubt feel confident that they can produce an upset to maintain their cup run. This the furthest stage that the Seagulls have reached since 1980 - can they now go one better?
PREDICTION: Brighton will be coming up against a much-changed Tottenham side, although the quality is still there to see. Many of these players will be fighting for a starting spot, and this game provides a perfect opportunity for the hosts to lift the pressure off the shoulders of manager Pochettino. Therefore, I'll back Spurs to come out on top 3-1.
KICKOFF! Referee Mark Clatterburg, who has himself been in the news a fair bit today, gets proceedings underway at White Hart Lane.
A bit of a false start from Brighton following a fowl throw in the opening stages. The visitors are sporting a luminous orange strip, by the way, while Spurs are in their traditional white shirts, blue shorts combo.
Spurs win themselves a corner which they fail to make the most of, but Stambouli is on hand in a deep position to force the ball back up the field. He picks out Davies on the left, and the Welshman manages to loft a ball into the box, which Christian Walton does well to handle.
SHOT! Spurs are dominating the ball in these early stages, winning a few corners and seeing a few shots blocked on the edge of the box. The best opening fell to Townsend inside the area following a smart one-two with Lennon, although he couldn't quite find the net through a sea of bodies.
It's Brighton's turn to press now, winning themselves a couple of quick-fire corners which ultimately fade out. Spurs used their opposition's set-piece to their advantage, in fact, springing a counter-attack which culminated in Lennon very nearly playing in Kane on the overlap, but the chance was thwarted by a covering defender. Good flow to this game early on.
Walton was very nearly left red faced after completely misjudging the flight of a cross into the box, although one of his defenders was on hand to clear away. A shot came in from the edge of the box, but it did not test the 18-year-old.
PENALTY APPEAL! Just a small shout for a penalty from Kane who went down inside the box, although replays show that there was minimal contact on him from Calderon. Clattenburg got that decision spot on.
Spurs looking the better side in the opening 13 minutes, but we're still goalless at White Hart Lane...
SAVE! Tottenham just continuing to up the pressure, constantly plugging way at the Brighton backline. The latest bombardment on goal came from the boot of Vertonghen, who unleashed a strike from all of 25 yards, forcing Walton into a save down low. It was a pretty simply stop to make, but it will no doubt give him a real confidence boost.
SHOT! Half a chance for LuaLua, Brighton's first of the game, who just allowed the ball to bounce too many times inside the box which forced him into a wide shooting position. It didn't stop him getting a strike away, though, yet he failed to test Vorm.
CLOSE! A steady spell of possession from the home side over the past few minutes, without any killer passes to carve open the opposition. The closest they have come to scoring came when Davies's cross from the right nearly caught Walton out, but the youngster managed to recover in time to push the ball behind.
This game is almost a replica of Tottenham's last fixture in this competition against another Championship side in Forest. On that occasion the visitors grew into the game before taking the lead, catching Pochettino's charges somewhat by surprise. Could we see something similar here?
Brighton unable to keep their foot on the ball at the moment, although Spurs have hardly done enough to take the lead themselves. The Premier League outfit just need to up the tempo once more like they did in the early stages.
PENALTY APPEAL! Not a lot of action at either end of the field over the past few minutes, as Brighton just look to string a few passes together in the middle of the park. The visitors managed to win a free kick deep in their own half which was swung into the area, and there was a Brighton penalty shout when Naughton appeared to handle the ball inside the box, but Clattenburg waved play on once more.
Lennon does well to ghost in between two opposition players inside the box, latching onto a ball into the box from Soldado on the right, but he couldn't quite guide it goalwards with the bottom of his foot.
YELLOW CARD! Federico Fazio, returning tonight following suspension, is the first man to enter the referee's book.
SAVE! The Seagulls looking more of a collective unit now to ask questions of Spurs, but it is still the home side who look more threatening when they come forward. Kane saw his shot blocked inside the box, yet Soldado latched onto the rebound which forced Walton into a decent save down low at his near post.
The resulting corner fell nicely into Lennon's path, but his volley was an absolute shocker. Brighton have survived the pressure.
Another half chance for Tottenham, which this time falls to Soldado at the back post with the Spaniard opting to go for a spectacular volley. He failed to get his effort on target in the end, striking it well over the bar.
Tottenham have not made the most of having the ball around the opposition box in this half, with plenty of frustrating, sloppy passes in the final third. Half time is just five minutes away, and I wouldn't bet against it remaining goalless up until that point.
Just following on from that previous point, Dembele looked to play in Soldado with a through-ball, but the Spaniard couldn't quite latch onto it. Some promising play in the opening 45 minutes from Tottenham, but ultimately very frustrating.
SHOT! A teasing ball into the box from Davies is headed behind by Dunk for a Spurs corner, and having worked it short Stambouli is set up for a long-range drive. His effort was poorly struck, though, flying well wide of goal. Moments later Kane couldn't quite bring down a lofted past at the back post, which perfectly sums up how this first half has panned out.
SAVE! Kane opts to shoot from a free kick around 10 yards outside the penalty area, which is right down the throat of Walton in the end.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM 0-0 BRIGHTON
There's no denying that Spurs were the dominant side in that first half, but they need to step it up another gear in the second half if they are to break down a stubborn Brighton defence. Both sides had an appeal for a penalty kick turned down, although it was Brighton's shout which certainly made more sense.
It would have been very harsh had it been given, with Naughton trying to get his arm out of the way. In terms of chances for the visitors, LuaLua's angled-drive aside, they have struggled to threaten Spurs at the back.
As it was, Davies's cross/shot was the closest either side have come to finding the breakthrough, yet we can surely expect that to change in the second half. It's unlikely that Pochettino, or indeed Hyypia, will make any changes, although something different may be needed should it remain the same on the hour.
The home side dominating the shot count as well as overall possession, but we are all square at the interval...
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! We're back underway at White Hart Lane, and there is indeed news of one change to bring you; Lamela replacing Lennon. Could that prove to be the sub which sparks Spurs into life in the attacking third?
Same old story in the early stages of this second half, I'm afraid. Brighton struggling to keep hold of the ball, while Spurs lack ideas when they have the ball around the opposition box. This game is still delicately poised, and the longer it goes on the more confident Brighton will become of pulling off n upset.
CHANCE! Tottenham come within inches of taking the lead! Naughton swung in a beauty of a cross from the right, and while Kane narrowly missed it at the front post, Soldado looked as though he would connect at the back, but it wasn't to be.
Spurs have knocked the ball around brilliantly in midfield for 52 minutes, yet have struggled to find a killer ball. That doesn't look like changing any time soon unless it is from a Davies or Naughton cross.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-0 BRIGHTON (LAMELA)
Well that has made me eat my words. Some superb link-up play between Soldado and Lamela culminates in the latter being played in on goal, and he coolly steered the ball beyond Walton to put the hosts ahead. If last week's goal was all about individual brilliance, this one was more of a collective effort.
Spurs just enjoying a little purple patch, as Kane fired wide from distance. That goal should change the dynamic of things now, with Brighton being forced to pile more men forward.
Another fine Naughton cross causes some real danger in the Brighton defence, but Dunk just bout does enough to clear the ball behind. The resulting corner comes to nothing, however, not for the first time this evening.
SAVE! Out of nowhere LuaLua managed to work a yard of space down the left, fizzing a delightful cross into the box which was not pounced on by a player in orange. Spurs instantly pushed up the field, and following just a few passes the ball was at Soldado's feet inside the box, yet his strike was pushed behind by Walton.
Tottenham still looking very assured when in possession, but the difference now is that they do not need to force the issue. There's a more relaxed feel to their play, yet it must be remembered that there is still just the one goal in it.
BRIGHTON SUBS: Forster-Caskey and McCourt are replaced by Gary Gardner and Joao Carlos Teixeira with a little over 20 minutes left to play.
SHOT! Brighton still forming a solid structure when defending, which must be somewhat frustrating for the hosts. Incidentally, the attendance has been confirmed at White Hart Lane this evening as a little over 33,500, as Soldado gets away another shot on goal which is easily handled.
PENALTY APPEAL! Soldado has done well to collect the ball out wide this evening, and he does so again only for his tired pass to be thwarted in the centre of the pitch. A lucky bounce sees the ball land in the path of Stambouli on the edge of the box, though, and he slides it through to Soldado who is then bundled over, but yet again Clattenburg is having none of it. It looked to be the right call.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-0 BRIGHTON (KANE)
Harry Kane bags his eighth goal of the season to put Spurs on the brink of another League Cup quarter-final. It was by no means a classic goal, but they all count, certainly against this stubborn Brighton outfit. Townsend's cross was turned goalwards by Soldado, and after Walton parried the ball Kane was left to fire home from close range to surely secure the win.
The game had become very stretched up until that second goal, and although Brighton didn't cut out any clear-cut chances, they certainly gave their opponents a little warning that it was still not over. Kane's goal looks to have changed all that, however, and it is now just a case of the Premier League outfit seeing the game out.
Enough to earn a starting spot on the weekend, I wonder?
TOTTENHAM SUB: Townsend's evening comes to an end, with Chadli introduced for the final nine minutes or so.
Even at this late stage with the Lillywhites sitting off a little, Brighton are unable to string together enough passes in threatening positions. It's been a disappointing performance from Hyypia's men on the whole, although as are the fine margins of football, if they had held on for another 35 minutes or so at 0-0 it would have been the perfect gameplan.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Kane leaves the field to a standing ovation; Paulinho the man to come on. Spurs just need to keep the ball ticking over for these final five minutes or so.
SAVE! A sloppy pace from Paulinho in the middle of the field allows LuaLua to charge at the Spurs backline, before playing in Colunga. The Spanish striker forced Vorm into making a rare save, with the former Swansea City stopper remaining strong between the sticks.
BRIGHTON SUB: The final chance of the evening sees LuaLua leave the field in place of Mackail-Smith, who has been nursing a hamstring injury.
A decent looking ball into the box had to be dealt with by Fazio, and that is exactly what he did to divert the ball behind and avert the danger. Three minutes to go in North London.
CLOSE! Chadli had a load of space to run into, and he carried on running until he reached the 18-yard box before curling an effort narrowly wide of the target.
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Mark Clattenburg signals the end of the game, meaning that Tottenham comfortably progress through to the quarter-finals. They had to wait 55 minutes to make the breakthrough, but from then on in it was all one-way traffic.
That's all from me, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you all the reaction you need from White Hart Lane.
