Carabao Cup Semi-Final: Harry Kane Gives Tottenham First Leg Victory Over Chelsea After VAR-Assisted Penalty At Wembley (Photos & Video)

Alan Duffy

9th, January 2019

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A single Harry Kane penalty gave Tottenham a hard-fought 1-0 win in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea at Wembley on Tuesday night.

Chelsea started with Eden Hazard in a central striking role and Bayern Munich target Callum Hudson-Odoi on the right wing.

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Tottenham would open the scoring on 26 minutes, with Kane emphatically converting from the penalty spot to bring up his 20th goal of the season.

The decision came after referee Michael Oliver was given a helping hand by VAR, firstly to judge that Kane was onside before latching on to a through-ball, and secondly to clarify the penalty call, with Blues’ ‘keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga taking out the striker in the box.

After the game, Maurizio Sarri produced a laptop and attempted to use Chelsea’s own real-time footage to show reporters that Kane had indeed strayed offside, though other angles duly proved that the Spurs man was (just) in line.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser, with N’Golo Kanté hitting the post and Hudson-Odoi seeing his effort deflected onto the frame of the goal.

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After the break, Andreas Christensen missed a gilt-edged chance from close range as the Blues continued to press for a vital goal at Wembley.

At the other end, Kane continued to threaten, forcing Arrizabalaga into a good save.

However, the game would end in a 1-0 first-leg victory to the Lilywhites, with this semi very much still in the balance heading into the second instalment.

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