Without Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur defeat Swansea City 1-0
By Leo Howell
Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Tottenham Hotspur are in the midst of big money negotiations over the transfer of world class winger Gareth Bale, but that didn’t hold them back on Sunday afternoon as they defeated defending Captial One Cup champions Swansea City 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
The Spurs took the lead in the 58th minute on a Roberto Soldado penalty kick, and that would prove to be the game winner. But it could have been a much bigger scoreline for the north London side.
Early in the first half, Swansea defender and captain headed the ball against his own goalpost, but got a lucky bounce that prevented an own goal. The follow up shot would be well-saved by Dutch goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Later in the first half, the Swans would catch another lucky break, as midfielder Jonjo Shelvey brought down a Tottenham player in the box for what should have been a penalty. But the referee decided to give a free kick outside the area instead, and the half-time score was 0-0 despite Tottenham having the majority of the chances in the first 45 minutes.
The Swans would hold better possession in the second half, and would get five shots on goal over the course of the game, but Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris was up to the task of stopping each one.
Tottenham may have been without their best player in Bale, but they proved to their home supporters that they can still win against mid-table teams without the Welshman’s services. But the true test will come next weekend, when the Spurs face hated rivals Arsenal.