We take a look at the action in the Semi-Final first legs of the 2014/15 Capital One Cup.
Andros Townsend scored the only goal of the game as Tottenham Hotspur overcame Sheffield United 1-0 in the Capital One Cup Semi-Final first leg at White Hart Lane.Forty-five league places separated the two sides prior to kick-off but Townsend’s second-half spot kick, which came after Blades defender Jay McEveley handled inside the box, was the only difference in a fairly uneventful first leg.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce was Sheffield United’s main threat in the first period and he went closest when fizzing a low shot across goal.
The only effort on target in the opening half came at the other end when Spurs defender Eric Dier headed at goal from an in-swinging free-kick, but Blades stopper Mark Howard was equal to it.
Townsend and Emmanuel Adebayor missed other chances when well placed but the former came up with the goods in the 74th minute.
McEveley, appealing for an offside, handled under pressure from Roberto Soldado, and Townsend fired past Howard from 12 yards, although the goalkeeper dived the right way.
The pair will now go head-to-head at Bramall Lane next Wednesday, with the Premier League side holding a slender advantage over their Sky Bet League 1 opponents.
In the other Semi-Final first leg, A second-half Raheem Sterling equaliser cancelled out an Eden Hazard penalty as Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield.
The Blues took the lead in the 18th minute when Hazard was brought down by Emre Can, and the Belgian duly converted for his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.
The strike came against the run of play as the likes of Steven Gerrard tested the resolve of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made a string of fine saves to keep Jose Mourinho's men ahead at the break.
But, on the hour mark, Sterling embarked on a marauding run from just inside his own half and neatly finished in front of the Kop End to give the Reds a much-deserved leveller.
It was Liverpool who continued to bombard the Chelsea goal thereafter, and they saw another Gerrard effort denied, this time by the post, before Courtois kept out attempts from Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana.
The 1-1 result leaves the tie all square ahead of the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, where one side will earn their place in the Capital One Cup Final at Wembley against either Tottenham or Sheffield United.