A tap-in from inside the box by Dele Alli midway through the second half edged Spurs past Championship strugglers Barnsley 1-0. Manager Mauricio Pochettino only rested five of his usual Premier League starting XI for the cup tie but Spurs still struggled to break down a well-organised Barnsley defence. Clear-cut chances were thin on the ground as Spurs all too often looked to take one touch too many, and when they did come they were not taken. Even after Alli's goal, Tottenham struggled for any consistency and by the last 10 minutes they were playing out time.
Positives
Spurs found a way to win even when not playing at their best.