Tottenham Loses to Stoke City in Penalties 7-6, Bids Out of Carling Cup

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp wanted to use this Carling Cup matchup against Stoke City to have an extended look at reserve players that rarely get opportunities in league games. He didn't know just how extended a look he'd get.

On the heels of a missed penalty shot by Massimo Luongo, Tottenham went into Britannia Stadium, ended regulation time 0-0 and lost to Stoke City in penalty kicks 7-6.

Redknapp used much (but not all) of the squad from last week's Europa League game against PAOK, and fans of both sides got to see just how much depth both rosters have. Turns out, it was Tottenham's, but only by a hair.

The match started with Redknapp invoking a 4-4-2 formation, a departure from the 3-3-4 Tottenham took to Greece last week. He started seven reserves, including third-team goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

It was a slow game, as you'd expect from one including so many substitute players, but Stoke City had several chances during the match. Spurs defender Younes Kaboul cleared many away from danger beautifully. Sebastien Bassong, who showed he is working well towards taking over for Ledley King, was also one of the reasons why Stoke City didn't score in regulation. 

One of the questions on my article previewing this match was, "Does Heurelho Gomes still deserve to start?" After losing his starting job to new acquisition Brad Friedel and long-time Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, Gomes is unhappy in Tottenham and wants a transfer.

Yes, his performance came against Stoke City reserves, and he did lose it for Spurs in penalties. But a clean sheet is a clean sheet, especially when it's over the course of a 120-minute afternoon. He had four saves, but he will be remembered this afternoon for not being able to stop a single shot during the penalty shootout.

As the game got into extra time, Tottenham slowed down offensively, only managing one off-target shot on goal. Stoke City looked slow in extra time, having used their last substitution in the 66th minute, and it was the perfect opportunity for Spurs to take advantage.

In penalties, Tottenham made all their chances except for forward Roman Pavlyuchenko. The Russian forward may hit the transfer market in January and didn't do anything for his transfer value by missing an easy kick.

One notable absence was 18-year-old Harry Kane. Many thought Redknapp would start the young forward, or at least give some significant playing time. Instead, Redknapp opted to take a look at another young player, midfielder Andros Townsend, when the time came to make the last substitution.

In the end, it was reserves taking penalty shots against reserve goalkeepers. It's really not an indication of who's the better team. Both teams were lackluster on offense and both keepers played well enough to get them to extra time. Stoke City won the game and will advance in the Carling Cup, but Redknapp is very obviously concerned with the Premiership.

Tottenham's next test will come against Wigan Athletic this Saturday.