22 January,2009 10:00 AM IST | | AFP
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admitted his League Cup holders looked "dead and buried" before scoring deep into extra-time to see off Burnley in a dramatic semi-final last night.
Second-tier Burnley, 3-0 up in the second leg after the end of 90 minutes, were on the brink of a dramatic win overall on the away goals rule after losing 4-1 at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago, when, in the 118th minute Pavlyuchenko scored from close range to the despair of home fans here at Turf Moor.
Defoe then put the matter beyond doubt to give Tottenham the chance of winning back-to-back League Cups when they face Manchester United at Wembley on March 1.
"I thought we were dead and buried," Redknapp told Sky Sports after a 6-4 aggregate win.
You're thinking 'what do we do?'. But we showed character and we came back. I was disappointed (with the performance) of course.
"Burnley were terrific, they showed great character, but we've had some great performances (in the League Cup), beating Liverpool, and we deserve to be there."
Redknapp will now have the chance to be a Wembley winner two seasons running after guiding Portsmouth to FA Cup glory last year, when Spurs face United in the final.
