Spurs sunk in Stoke shoot-out
STOKE (0) vs TOTTENHAM (0)
Stoke win 7-6 on penalties
TEENAGE midfielder Massimo Luongo missed in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out as Tottenham crashed out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle.
Roman Pavlyuchenko and Stoke’s Jermaine Pennant also failed to convert spot-kicks as the shoot-put ended 4-4, following a goal-less 120 minutes.
Manager Harry Redknapp made eight changes to the Spurs side that thrashed Liverpool on Sunday for his third match in the space of six days.
His opposite number Tony Pulis also fielded seven fresh faces as he too looked to manage a Europa League campaign alongside the usual domestic competitions. Fatigue and unfamiliarity told in a clash of few chances. Stoke defender Robert Huth headed over their best opportunity of the first half, while at the other end Spurs youngster Tommy Carroll could not keep his volley down.
Redknapp threw on England striker Jermain Defoe in search of a winning goal, but it was Stoke forward Jonathan Walters who had the best opening when he missed when one-on-one with Heurelho Gomes in extra-time, sending the tie to penalties.
The shootout went on for a mammoth 16 kicks, with both sides proving accurate from the spot. Defoe, Andros Townsend, Vedran Corluka and Younes Kaboul kept Spurs level, in response to penalties from Walters, Glenn Whelan, Marc Wilson and ex-Spurs forward Peter Crouch.
In sudden death Jake Livermore and Carroll succeeded in responding to Stoke efforts from Matthew Etherington and Matthew Upson, but Australian Luongo, who turns 19 on Sunday, was thwarted by Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.