On this day in 2018: Spurs beat West Ham United in Carabao Cup

Another "what if" competition from the 18/19 season
Fernando Llorente to audaciously finish off West Ham United
Fernando Llorente to audaciously finish off West Ham United / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages
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On this day, six years ago, Spurs overcame West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, winning 3-1 at the London Stadium, despite playing only two days before at home to Manchester City in the Premier League at Wembley.

Owing to that ridiculous, intense schedule, Mauricio Pochettino rotated the side, and opted for a starting line up of; Gazzaniga; Walker-Peters, Foyth, Sanchez, Aurier; Wanyama, Winks; Eriksen, Dele, Son; Llorente.

Meanwhile, N'Koudou, Sissoko, and Skipp came off the bench, whilst Vorm, Eyoma, Marsh, and Lucas were unused substitutes - back in the era where you could not make more than three changes.

After 16 minutes, Spurs took the lead. Dele's pass took a slight deflection off of Angelo Ogbonna and fell into Son's path, who rifled a shot with his left-foot into the near top corner, with an absolutely superb and trademark finish that we have got used to over the years.

West Ham would have their fare share of chances, particularly Michail Antonio, but Spurs held firm and eventually went 2-0 up. Once again, a pass from Dele took a richochet, this time off Arthur Masuaka - and Son was through on goal, keeping his composure to round Adrian and fire the ball into the open goal to make it a brace for himself.

The hosts got one back via Lucas Perez after 71 minutes, but Spurs would soon restore their two goal lead. An inswinging corner from Eriksen found Llorente, who seemed to hook the ball first time with his left foot, into the back of the net. A really impressive improvised finish from the big man.

That would be that, and Spurs would come away as 3-1 winners. Let's take a look at where each player is today.

Gazzaniga is currently playing for Girona, alongside Spurs loanee Bryan Gil. Walker-Peters plays for Southampton, and has been linked with a move back to N17. Foyth plays for Villarreal, and was part of Argentina's World Cup winning squad. Sanchez plays for Galatasaray, and we could see the defender play against Spurs next Thursday.

Victor Wanyama plays for CF Montreal, whose side lost on penalties to prevent making the MLS play-offs. Harry Winks is at Leicester City, and played against Spurs for the first time in August. Christian Eriksen plays for Manchester United, and lost 3-0 to Spurs in September. Dele is currently without a club, though has remained training with Everton to try and regain his fitness.

Heung Min-Son is the only player in the matchday squad who remains at this club until today. Fernando Llorente, who became a cult hero that year, retired in 2023. As for the bench - N'Koudou plays for Damac FC in Saudi Arabia, Sissoko plays for Watford in the Championship, Skipp is at Leicester with Winks.

Vorm has retired, Eyoma has no club after leaving Lincoln, Marsh plays for Larne FC in Northern Ireland, and Lucas is back at Sao Paulo, the club he left for Europe back in 2012.

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