Tottenham vs Sheffield United: Score, Grades, Reaction from Capital One Cup Game

Tottenham Hotspur hold a slim lead in their Capital One Cup semi-final following a 1-0 victory over visiting Sheffield United in the first leg Wednesday night at White Hart Lane.

Spurs were the better side throughout but struggled to break down their third-tier opponents, despite holding a decisive edge in possession. Following a scoreless first half, Tottenham finally went ahead in the 74th minute as Andros Townsend converted from the penalty spot.

The second leg is scheduled for next Wednesday at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane. If the two-legged semi-final remains level after 90 minutes of the second leg, the teams will play extra time to determine the winner.

The reward is a trip to Wembley to play for silverware against Liverpool or Chelsea in the final on March 1. Tottenham will see it as a chance to make clear progress in manager Mauricio Pochettino's first season.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, will still feel they have a chance to advance, despite the first-leg deficit, with Tottenham facing a potentially tricky trip north for the second leg.

Kick-off was delayed 15 minutes due to traffic problems in North London, per Tottenham's Twitter account.

Henry Winter of the Telegraph indicated that Sheffield United's bus arrived at the ground later than planned because of the congestion:

Once it began, the match saw few chances in the first 20 minutes. But as half-time neared, both sides began to produce moments of danger.

In the 22nd minute, United's Jamal Campbell-Ryce flashed a shot off target across the face of goal. Two minutes later, Tottenham's Eric Dier forced Blades goalkeeper Mark Howard into a save with a flicked header from a Townsend free-kick.

Spurs came close in the 34th minute as Christian Eriksen picked out Emmanuel Adebayor's run into the box with a long, high ball over the top. Adebayor did well to pull the ball down but ballooned his shot well over the bar.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The next chance was United's. In the 40th minute, Stefan Scougall blazed wide of the near post after Louis Reed won possession in the attacking third. 

In first-half stoppage time, Dier had another chance to open the scoring with a header but this time flicked his attempt off target.

The stalemate continued after the break, Spurs holding the majority of possession but struggling to find openings against Sheffield United's defence. At the 65-minute mark, the hosts introduced Roberto Soldado and Mousa Dembele in an effort to freshen their attack. 

Spurs won a penalty in the 73rd minute, when Sheffield United defender Jay McEveley handled the ball in the box. Townsend converted the spot-kick one minute later, confidently stroking his low shot into the bottom corner past Howard.

Tottenham were finally ahead, but their task wasn't quite finished yet. Sheffield United pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but despite exerting some pressure in the final 10 minutes, the visitors never came close to scoring a goal of their own.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Michel Vorm	6.6
Kyle Walker	7.4
Eric Dier	7.9
Jan Vertonghen	7.2
Ben Davies	7.2
Benjamin Stambouli	7.4
Ryan Mason	6.4
Andros Townsend	7.6
Harry Kane	7.7
Christian Eriksen	6.9
Emmanuel Adebayor	6.2
Roberto Soldado (for Adebayor, 65')	6.4
Mousa Dembele (for Mason, 65')	6.4
Paulinho (for Stambouli, 75')	6.3

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Mark Howard	6.1
Ryan Flynn	6.4
Chris Basham	6.6
Jay McEveley	6.4
Robert Harris	7.5
Michael Doyle	6.4
Louis Reed	6.5
Jamal Campbell-Ryce	6.4
Stefan Scougall	6.1
Jamie Murphy	6.9
Marc McNulty	5.9
Jose Baxter (for McNulty, 83')	6.2
Kieran Wallace (for Scougall, 87')	6.0

Reaction

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen (Sky Sports via BBC Sport): 

"

We wanted to keep a clean sheet and score a couple of goals, but one was not too bad. The clean sheet is very important. Sheffield United are a good team and I have much respect for them.

"

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino (Sky Sports via BBC Sport):

"

It was a tough game. I am happy for the result but we need to play the second leg in Sheffield and win. Sheffield United played very aggressive in the first half and cut every action, played narrow and deep and it was difficult.

Now we need to look forward and try to win the second game. It will be a difficult game, they played well and we need to go and be focused.

"

Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough (Sky Sports via BBC Sport):

"

We are still in the tie, although disappointed with the deficit. I thought we were comfortable at 0-0 and it is a mistake.

In the first half we were good and caused them problems. It is difficult to have the belief you can get a goal when you come here but I can't fault their work ethic or spirit.

We are in it, you heard the noise 4,000 fans were making and when 25,000 are in our place next week, it is going to be special. We are going to give it everything we can.

"