Solanke puts Spurs through despite Forster's blunders

Like a song that changes time signature for the hell of it, like a friend that inexplicably blanks you, like a match report that noodles away for ages instead of just telling you what happened, Tottenham Hotspur remain medically incapable of doing things the simple way.

- Jonathan Liew

This is becoming a kind of mania, a disorder, a cry for help. What is this? Who are you really? And, you know, can you not?

For all this, Ange Postecoglou's side are Carabao Cup semi-finalists, the latest plot twist in a season in which nobody can really agree whether things are going well or not. Great football. But also some terrible football. But also, two games from a trophy. But also, 10th in the Premier League. But also two goals for the brilliant Dominic Solanke. But also two goals basically given away by Fraser Forster.

At least Tottenham's late fourth goal, curled in direct from a corner, buried any illusions that Ruben Amorim may have harboured about the scale of the shambles still awaiting him. For all their new energy, Manchester United still look deeply uncomfortable in defence, deeply disturbed by teams who make them turn and run. For an hour Spurs ripped them up, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison running amok, Yves Bissouma a pillar in midfield.