Ahmed Hossam (Mido) scored as he came on very late in Spurs Carling Cup semi-final clash with the Arsenal . The Egyptian made a difference as he turned the tables and scored the equaliser for Tottenham Spurs to keep their hopes alive. Spurs were behind by a goal when Mido equalised from a powerful header but two extra time goals ended the game in a win for the homeside.

Follow up:

Things got off to an ominous start for the Tottenham when news fed through that Aaron Lennon had been dropped after suffering through illness all day.

England winger Aaron Lennon was left on the bench for Tottenham due to illness with Martin Jol opting for Steed Malbranque and Hossam Ghaly on the flanks.


But midway through the first half it became apparent confusion over the original teamsheet meant Lennon could not play any part, leaving Tottenham with just four substitutes.


Jol started with Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe in attack, with Egypt striker Mido on the bench.
Keane had a great opportunity after 10 minutes. The Irish international broke the Arsenal offside trap and latched onto Michael Dawson's long through ball but Almunia was off his line quickly to smother.

Three minutes later, Kolo Toure missed a golden chance to put the hosts ahead. Denilson's shot was fumbled by Paul Robinson into the path of the onrushing Toure but his instinctive prod went wide of the upright.


Adebayor and Jeremie Aliadiere both missed the target when well placed as Arsenal looked to gain the upper hand.


At the other end, Malbranque met Ghaly's cross with a firm header that skipped off the turf but narrowly wide of Almunia's right-hand post.
There was an early flashpoint as the second half got underway. Ghaly and Abou Diaby went down in a heap in the penalty area and scuffled as they got to their feet. A number of players ran in to intervene before referee Alan Whiley pulled out yellow cards for both .


As the game continued, Walcott appeared the hosts' best outlet but time and again the teenager failed to take the right option when well placed.


And with 62 minutes gone, the 17-year-old was replaced by Rosicky with Arsene Wenger looking for a bit more quality in the final third.




Before Walcott had left the pitch, the Gunners were forced into another change when defender Armand Traore went down injured, Gael Clichy taking his place at left-back.


It was no surprise that Rosicky was involved in the opening goal. His powerful shot was parried by Robinson but the Spurs defence failed to clear their lines. The ball broke again for the Czech midfielder who played in Adebayor to slot past the visting keeper with ease.


As Adebayor celebrated with Thierry Henry, who was not even in the squad for the game, Arsenal brought on Cesc Fabregas to try and seal the tie. The visitors responded and replaced Malbranque and Ghaly with Mido and Tom Huddlestone.


And just as Rosicky's introduction had an immediate impact, so did the appearance of the Egyptian target man. Denilson commited a foul out on the left and Ahmed Hossam (Mido) rose to nod home Jermaine Jenas' perfect free-kick.


With Spurs needing to score in extra-time to have any chance of progressing to the final, the first period saw the hosts continue to dominate possession.


And right at the end of the first 15 minutes, Spurs substitute Ricardo Rocha made a hash of an attempted clearance, allowing Aliadiere to fire into the roof of the net to send the Gunners to Cardiff.


The inspirational Rosicky put the tie beyond doubt with eight minutes of added time remaining, weaving his magic in the Spurs penalty area before firing against a post only to see the rebound deflect off Chimbonda and just over the line.


Game Card :



Arsenal: Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore (Clichy 63), Walcott (Rosicky 63), Denilson, Silva, Diaby (Fabregas 79), Aliadiere, Adebayor.


Booked: Denilson, Diaby.


Goals: Adebayor 77, Aliadiere 105, Chimbonda 113 og.


Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Gardner (Rocha 73), Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Hossam Ghaly (Huddlestone 80), Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (Ahmed Hossam (Mido) 80), Defoe, Keane.


Booked: Jenas, Gardner, Hossam Ghaly, Zokora, Defoe.


Goals: (Ahmed Hossam (Mido 85.


Att: 55,872


Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).




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