Tottenham Hotspur vs. Hull City: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Ahmed Elmohamady, who conceded a harsh penalty over the weekend at White Hart Lane, was unlucky a second time away to Tottenham Hotspur, as his saved penalty saw Hull eliminated from the Capital One Cup by an unconvincing Spurs side that had to go the distance to ensure progression to the semifinals.

Tottenham, who employed a strong squad against the Tigers Wednesday, started well and went ahead after barely a quarter-hour, when Gylfi Sigurdsson dragged Kyle Naughton’s through-ball past two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable drive that beat Eldin Jakupovic to the near top corner.

But it was Hull who settled more quickly following the goal, and by the end of the opening period, they had developed a foothold in the match. Elmohamady, Robert Koren and George Boyd all made themselves dangerous in the attacking goalmouth as the first half drew to a close.

Spurs, meanwhile, just couldn’t produce a final ball for a second goal and would rue their wastefulness shortly after the restart when Curtis Davies helped Hull level the scoreline at a goal apiece.

Elmohamady’s accurate delivery was headed to the far post by Davies, and while it should have been dealt with by Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel, the former United States international carelessly directed it into the back of the net.

Neither side was able to create much of anything until the whistle blew on normal time, but nine minutes into the first extra period, Paul McShane put Hull in front with a superb header from Boyd’s corner kick.

Eight minutes later, Mohamed Gedo quite nearly gave the guests a two-goal cushion when his goalmouth effort failed to hit the target. He and his teammates would end up ruing the miss when, less than 60 seconds later, Harry Kane equalized for Spurs.

Pushing off his marker after accepting Jermain Defoe’s pass, the Spurs substitute waited patiently for a suitable angle before hammering a low, hard effort that beat Jakupovic at the far post.

It was the goal that would send the match to penalties, and after Kyle Walker converted an eighth successful spot-kick for Spurs, Elmohamady’s effort was stopped by Friedel, ending a marathon match that no doubt had both sets of supporters on the edges of their seats by the time it finished.

Key Player Grades

Gylfi Sigurdsson: A

He scored a spectacular opener and also converted his penalty in a successful showing for Tottenham on Wednesday. While Defoe and Erik Lamela struggled throughout the encounter, the Iceland international made himself his side’s most consistent attacker against a plucky Hull side that quite nearly escaped White Hart Lane with a result.

Jermain Defoe: C

He fed the ball to Kane for Spurs’ extra-time goal, but on the balance of the night, the striker was well near anonymous, pacing the goalmouth for through-balls that rarely came. When they did, however, he either failed to hit the target or found himself offside.

Paul McShane: A-

Substitutions
Player	Grade
Friedel	B
Walker	B+
Kaboul	A-
Vertonghen	A-
Naughton	A-
Dembele	B-
Paulinho	C+
Lamela	C-
Eriksen	B-
Sigurdsson	A
Defoe	C
Chiriches	B+
Chadli	B
Kane	A

McShane’s was an inspired performance—the Republic of Ireland international scoring a headed goal that briefly put Hull in front and also converting his penalty. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t to be for the defender on this night.

Substitutions
Player	Grade
Jakupovic	B-
Rosenior	B
Bruce	B
Davies	B+
McShane	A-
Meyler	C
Koren	B
Elmohamady	B-
Quinn	C+
Graham	C-
Boyd	B+
Proschwitz	B+
Gedo	B+
Mclean	B-

What’s Next?

Tottenham are through to the quarterfinals of the Capital One Cup and will face West Ham in the competition in December. Next up for them, however, is a Sunday trip to Everton, after which they’ll host Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.

Hull, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from the defeat when they host Sunderland Saturday. The following week they’ll be away to Southampton.