Jose Mourinho urged Tottenham to kick on after Son Heung-min fired them into the League Cup final with the decisive goal in a 2-0 win against Brentford on Tuesday.

Moussa Sissoko put Mourinho's team ahead in the semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But Tottenham were still searching for the knockout blow against spirited second tier Brentford until Son netted with 20 minutes remaining.

Tottenham will face Manchester United or holders Manchester City, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday, at Wembley on April 25.

It will be the club's first domestic final since losing the 2015 League Cup showpiece against Chelsea, and their first final in any competition since the 2019 Champions League defeat against Liverpool in Madrid.

"The final is now in a pocket for three months, we have to wait for the final so we have to focus on what we have coming up," Mourinho said.

"We have the FA Cup, the Premier League, the Europa league, so let's forget the final for now. But when April arrives we have to be ready and to fight for the trophy."

Mourinho, appointed in November 2019, is hoping to lead Tottenham to their first major trophy since the 2008 League Cup.

He has already won the competition four times, landing his first silverware in English football in 2005 with Chelsea, where he won it twice more before a further success at Manchester United in 2017.

Mourinho is the third manager to reach a League Cup final with three different clubs, following Ron Atkinson and Ron Saunders.

"This is a game that takes us to a final. Of course we are very, very happy with this," Mourinho said.

"We didn't play brilliantly, sometimes wrong decisions, sometimes one more touch, not with that soft control that allows you to play fast but the game is always under control against a team that will probably be in the Premier League next year."

The Tottenham boss had labelled Brentford's visit to north London as the biggest game of his reign, so it was no surprise he picked Son and Harry Kane in a team featuring five changes from Saturday's Premier League win over Leeds.

<h2>- Crucial moment -</h2>

Brentford, fourth in the Championship, had already beaten four Premier League clubs in Southampton, Newcastle, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion to reach their first domestic cup semi-final.

But Tottenham needed just 12 minutes to take the lead as Sergio Reguilon's pin-point cross from the left evaded Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock and found Sissoko, who finished his burst into the six-yard box with a powerful header into the top corner.

It was the French midfielder's first goal since December 2019, ending a barren run that had stretched to 36 matches.

Tottenham pressed hard for a second goal and Son's long-range drive forced a good save from David Raya, who had to stretch to tip away Lucas Moura's deflected header just before half-time.

Son flashed a volley just wide from Sissoko's cross, but Tottenham escaped in the 63rd minute when Ivan Toney's equaliser was disallowed by VAR.

When Pinnock's header was clawed away by Hugo Lloris, Toney stabbed in the rebound from close-range, only for the Brentford striker's celebrations to be curtailed when his knee was seen to be in an offside position.

That tight decision proved the crucial moment as Son struck in the 70th minute.

Kane fed Tanguy Ndombele and the midfielder's defence-splitting pass teed up Son, who fired high into the roof of the net for his 16th goal of the season.

Brentford's Josh Dasilva was sent off in the 84th minute for a studs-up foul on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg that left the furious Tottenham midfielder with blood running down his shin.

Jose Mourinho urged Tottenham to kick on after Son Heung-min fired them into the League Cup final with the decisive goal in a 2-0 win against Brentford on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho urged Tottenham to kick on after Son Heung-min fired them into the League Cup final with the decisive goal in a 2-0 win against Brentford on Tuesday. Moussa Sissoko put Mourinho's team ahead in the semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But Tottenham were still searching for the knockout blow against spirited second tier Brentford until Son netted with 20 minutes remaining. Tottenham will face Manchester United or holders Manchester City, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday, at Wembley on April 25. It will be the club's first domestic final since losing the 2015 League Cup showpiece against Chelsea, and their first final in any competition since the 2019 Champions League defeat against Liverpool in Madrid. "The final is now in a pocket for three months, we have to wait for the final so we have to focus on what we have coming up," Mourinho said. "We have the FA Cup, the Premier League, the Europa league, so let's forget the final for now. But when April arrives we have to be ready and to fight for the trophy." Mourinho, appointed in November 2019, is hoping to lead Tottenham to their first major trophy since the 2008 League Cup. He has already won the competition four times, landing his first silverware in English football in 2005 with Chelsea, where he won it twice more before a further success at Manchester United in 2017. Mourinho is the third manager to reach a League Cup final with three different clubs, following Ron Atkinson and Ron Saunders. "This is a game that takes us to a final. Of course we are very, very happy with this," Mourinho said. "We didn't play brilliantly, sometimes wrong decisions, sometimes one more touch, not with that soft control that allows you to play fast but the game is always under control against a team that will probably be in the Premier League next year." The Tottenham boss had labelled Brentford's visit to north London as the biggest game of his reign, so it was no surprise he picked Son and Harry Kane in a team featuring five changes from Saturday's Premier League win over Leeds. - Crucial moment - Brentford, fourth in the Championship, had already beaten four Premier League clubs in Southampton, Newcastle, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion to reach their first domestic cup semi-final. But Tottenham needed just 12 minutes to take the lead as Sergio Reguilon's pin-point cross from the left evaded Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock and found Sissoko, who finished his burst into the six-yard box with a powerful header into the top corner. It was the French midfielder's first goal since December 2019, ending a barren run that had stretched to 36 matches. Tottenham pressed hard for a second goal and Son's long-range drive forced a good save from David Raya, who had to stretch to tip away Lucas Moura's deflected header just before half-time. Son flashed a volley just wide from Sissoko's cross, but Tottenham escaped in the 63rd minute when Ivan Toney's equaliser was disallowed by VAR. When Pinnock's header was clawed away by Hugo Lloris, Toney stabbed in the rebound from close-range, only for the Brentford striker's celebrations to be curtailed when his knee was seen to be in an offside position. That tight decision proved the crucial moment as Son struck in the 70th minute. Kane fed Tanguy Ndombele and the midfielder's defence-splitting pass teed up Son, who fired high into the roof of the net for his 16th goal of the season. Brentford's Josh Dasilva was sent off in the 84th minute for a studs-up foul on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg that left the furious Tottenham midfielder with blood running down his shin.

Son, Sissoko send Spurs into League Cup final

Manchester United will face bitter rivals Manchester City in the League Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 2-0 win at Everton, while Tottenham joined them in the last four with victory against Stoke on Wednesday.

United dominated for long periods of their quarter-final at Goodison Park, but it took until the 88th minute before Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker's fourth goal for United since joining on a free transfer in October came at the same venue where he opened his account for the club last month.

Anthony Martial bagged United's second goal in stoppage time.

"Cavani's finish wasn't bad! He is a quality striker. We know when we defend well we have got players to win us the game," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

"The spirit in the camp is good and this will give us a boost going into the Christmas period."

After a rocky period that raised questions about Solskjaer's future following their exit from the Champions League, United have recovered their equilibrium.

They are third in the Premier League and have won their last three matches in all competitions.

United last lifted silverware when they won the Europa League in 2017.

Solskjaer, who won nine major trophies as a player with United, took charge at Old Trafford in 2018 and saw his side lose in three semi-finals last term.

He now has a chance to go one better this season after United were drawn to face holders City in the last four.

United were beaten by City at the same stage of the competition last season and Solskjaer said: "We are in the semi-finals, so we are one step away.

"It is the worst game to lose, a semi-final. We are going to do everything we can to get to that game in a good state."

Tottenham and second-tier Brentford will meet in the other semi-final, with the matches to be played over one leg in the week commencing January 4.

Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were the only United players to retain their places after the 6-2 rout of Leeds at the weekend, with Paul Pogba returning to the starting line-up.

With just two minutes left before a penalty shoot-out, Martial slipped a pass to Cavani, who drove a superb strike past Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen from the edge of the area.

Martial then slotted home with virtually the last kick.

Cavani's goal came after he had flicked a hand in Yerry Mina's face earlier in the match, but there was no VAR available to potentially punish him.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "The rules were that VAR was not in this game, if the referee decided that Cavani didn't do anything wrong we have to accept it. Full stop."

<h2>- Alli blasted -</h2>

Jose Mourinho accused Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli of creating "problems" for his own team during their 3-1 win against Stoke.

Wales forward Gareth Bale made the most of a rare start to put Mourinho's team ahead at the Bet365 Stadium.

But Alli was at fault when his flamboyant flick was intercepted in the build-up to Jordan Thompson's equaliser for Stoke.

Alli's latest mistake drew an angry response on the touchline from Mourinho, who rebuked the star before substituting him minutes later.

Ben Davies put Tottenham back in front with his first goal since 2017 before England captain Harry Kane sealed Spurs' place in the semi-finals.

But it was Alli's public dressing-down that took the spotlight, with the England international's wretched season hitting a new low in his first start since November 26.

"Yes, for me a player that plays in that position is a player that has to link and create and not to create problems for his own team," said Mourinho, who has exiled Alli for long periods this season amid talk of a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"In that situation, an objective counter-attack would probably end with a goal, and it ended with a counter-attack behind our defenders. So yes, I am upset."

Manchester United will face bitter rivals Manchester City in the League Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 2-0 win at Everton, while Tottenham joined them in the last four with victory against Stoke on Wednesday.

Manchester United will face bitter rivals Manchester City in the League Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 2-0 win at Everton, while Tottenham joined them in the last four with victory against Stoke on Wednesday. United dominated for long periods of their quarter-final at Goodison Park, but it took until the 88th minute before Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock. The former Paris Saint-Germain striker's fourth goal for United since joining on a free transfer in October came at the same venue where he opened his account for the club last month. Anthony Martial bagged United's second goal in stoppage time. "Cavani's finish wasn't bad! He is a quality striker. We know when we defend well we have got players to win us the game," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. "The spirit in the camp is good and this will give us a boost going into the Christmas period." After a rocky period that raised questions about Solskjaer's future following their exit from the Champions League, United have recovered their equilibrium. They are third in the Premier League and have won their last three matches in all competitions. United last lifted silverware when they won the Europa League in 2017. Solskjaer, who won nine major trophies as a player with United, took charge at Old Trafford in 2018 and saw his side lose in three semi-finals last term. He now has a chance to go one better this season after United were drawn to face holders City in the last four. United were beaten by City at the same stage of the competition last season and Solskjaer said: "We are in the semi-finals, so we are one step away. "It is the worst game to lose, a semi-final. We are going to do everything we can to get to that game in a good state." Tottenham and second-tier Brentford will meet in the other semi-final, with the matches to be played over one leg in the week commencing January 4. Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were the only United players to retain their places after the 6-2 rout of Leeds at the weekend, with Paul Pogba returning to the starting line-up. With just two minutes left before a penalty shoot-out, Martial slipped a pass to Cavani, who drove a superb strike past Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen from the edge of the area. Martial then slotted home with virtually the last kick. Cavani's goal came after he had flicked a hand in Yerry Mina's face earlier in the match, but there was no VAR available to potentially punish him. Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "The rules were that VAR was not in this game, if the referee decided that Cavani didn't do anything wrong we have to accept it. Full stop." - Alli blasted - Jose Mourinho accused Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli of creating "problems" for his own team during their 3-1 win against Stoke. Wales forward Gareth Bale made the most of a rare start to put Mourinho's team ahead at the Bet365 Stadium. But Alli was at fault when his flamboyant flick was intercepted in the build-up to Jordan Thompson's equaliser for Stoke. Alli's latest mistake drew an angry response on the touchline from Mourinho, who rebuked the star before substituting him minutes later. Ben Davies put Tottenham back in front with his first goal since 2017 before England captain Harry Kane sealed Spurs' place in the semi-finals. But it was Alli's public dressing-down that took the spotlight, with the England international's wretched season hitting a new low in his first start since November 26. "Yes, for me a player that plays in that position is a player that has to link and create and not to create problems for his own team," said Mourinho, who has exiled Alli for long periods this season amid talk of a move to Paris Saint-Germain. "In that situation, an objective counter-attack would probably end with a goal, and it ended with a counter-attack behind our defenders. So yes, I am upset."

Manchester rivals to clash in League Cup semis

tottenham-hotspur-vs-brentford

Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford, News on Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford, stories on Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford, articles on Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford stories at Wion, Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford news, Tottenham Hotspur Vs Brentford latest news

tottenham hotspur-vs-brentford

Son, Sissoko send Spurs into League Cup final

Manchester rivals to clash in League Cup semis