How Tottenham comes back on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals

Tottenham has 90 minutes left to come from a two-goal deficit against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, how do Spurs get back? 

We have seen greater comebacks from less time in the recent history of Tottenham Hotspur, think Amsterdam, thus coming back from being two goals down to Chelsea will be difficult but not impossible. For Spurs to come back they are going to have to make every minute count and play near perfect but it is possible in the Carabao Cup.

Tottenham needs to be brave from the kickoff

in the first-leg at Stamford Bridge Spurs were far too conservative and really allowed Chelsea too much of the ball. The somewhat passive approach from Tottenham doomed the team in the end as Spurs reverted back to their Jose Mourinho era best with two mistakes gifting two goals for Chelsea.

To prevent the same fate and turn the tie, Spurs have to be aggressive and fight to get the ball. Then once Tottenham has the ball they need to look to attack quickly preferably in numbers. The sooner Spurs can start applying pressure and making Chelsea feel uncomfortable the better. If Tottenham sits back as they did most of the first-leg, then nothing will change, so step one is being aggressive and playing from the front foot.

Tottenham needs to take some chances

If there is a weak link anywhere in the Chelsea squad it is in the goal with Mendy at AFCON and Kepa Azzribalaga starting. Kepa is not a terrible goalkeeper but his time at Chelsea has not been great. If Spurs can take some chances and maybe even force a mistake it would not be inconceivable for the pressure to mount on Kepa and Chelsea.

Ideally, Tottenham can score early from some chances and suddenly it will be anyone’s game. In reality, Spurs have nothing to lose and need to play like that. Being brave with their passing and taking some chances at goal can’t hurt.

Spurs cannot quit or give up

If fans following Tottenham have learned anything over the last several years, it is that the game is never really over. Whether it is Tottenham scoring three goals in the final quarter-hour or West Ham, football games need to be played to the final whistle.

Even if things do not go according to plan and Spurs are unable to score early or even concede early, they cannot stop playing. We have seen that when a team believes and keeps working good things can happen.

If Spurs can even just get to penalties, Tottenham does have the edge of having knocked Chelsea out of this same competition on penalties last season.

With 90 minutes left and an opportunity for a shot at glory at stake, anything can happen. If Tottenham believes that and is brave, then anything can.