Cup runs can be a good way for clubs to earn a bit of extra money or they can provide a distraction from the woes of the league. In 2006, both aspects of the League Cup run were important for Southend United. The then Championship side were adrift in the league, but a completely different team in the League Cup.
In the previous round, Southend had defeated Manchester United at Roots Hall, thanks to a superb Freddy Eastwood free kick. Few could have argued that their spot in the quarter-finals were deserved and they did not have to travel too far to White Hart Lane for their shot at making the semis. With the league essentially a write-off, the fans were up for the cup.
Spurs, by contrast, were on a fine run of form at home - this game coming off the back of 10 games won in a row in all competitions. Their form in the League Cup was less impressive, however, as they needed extra time to get past Port Vale in the last round. It was to be the very same story on this day in 2006, as Spurs scraped into the semi-finals with not a great deal of merit.
© Getty Images
Every football fan loves an upset. They had been treated to one in the previous round with Southend's 1-0 win over United, but they wanted more. Southend sensed it, too. Spurs, however, had done their research on the dangerman Eastwood and did not allow him any time on the ball - less from free kicks just outside the box. That did not stop the visitors having chances, as Mark Gower came close with a shot that tested Paul Robinson.
There were also efforts from the hosts, as both Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Steed Malbranque tested Darryl Flahavan. If the goals were a few inches higher, Spurs would have held a lead into the break. Danny Murphy and Jermain Defoe combined to set up a volley for Mido, who crashed an effort against the crossbar. The Egyptian player was becoming the best on the pitch, but despite this Spurs were being restricted to shots from range.
Malbranque again and Murphy stung the palms of Flahavan, before Defoe had what was his first real chance of the game. He latched on to a defensive lapse but with Flahavan coming out to meet him he turned a lob just wide of the far post. Flahavan saved his best for last as he somehow kept out a last-gasp Mido header with a flying stop.
© Getty Images
It meant Spurs needed extra time once more against lowly and out-of-form opposition - and very nearly penalties. Dimitar Berbatov, on as a second-half substitute, was looking creative, but Southend were defending solidly in the extra half an hour.
That was until Southend - and Flahahavan's in particular - hearts were broken. Mido poked the ball through to Defoe, who finished with a sliding effort five minutes from penalties to send his side into the semi-finals.
