Tottenham's Harry Kane is fouled by Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga resulting in a penalty during the English League Cup semifinal first leg match at Wembley Stadium in London on Tuesday — Reuters LONDON, Jan 09 (Reuters): Tottenham Hotspur gained a slender advantage in their League Cup semifinal against London rivals Chelsea as Harry Kane's penalty earned them a gritty 1-0 first-leg win at Wembley on Tuesday.
Kane's 26th-minute spot kick, his 160th goal for the club, was awarded after a lengthy, but correct, VAR decision and means Tottenham remain on course to claim their first silverware since winning the League Cup against Chelsea in 2008.
They still have a long way to go, however, and Chelsea will feel confident going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Jan. 24 having outplayed their hosts at times.
Maurizio Sarri's side were twice denied by the woodwork and they dominated the second half as Tottenham dug deep.
Tottenham have now won three consecutive matches against Chelsea for the first time since a run of five between 1961 and 1963, but unlike when they outclassed the Blues in November, winning 3-1 in the Premier League, this was a night for hard graft.
Mauricio Pochettino's side began brightly and had a shout for a penalty in the opening minutes when Dele Alli played a magnificent pass through to Son Heung-min who appeared to be knocked off balance by Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen.
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