Tottenham vs Manchester United

That was the question posed by former Liverpool defender and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher after Tottenham’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Manchester United.

It was a match in which United’s expected goals (xG) was 2.38 and actual goals were three – and Tottenham scored four goals from just 0.67 xG.

The keepers in question were second-choices Altay Bayindir of Manchester United and Fraser Forster of Tottenham.

They were each directly responsible for two goals, while one shot which didn’t actually end up in the net was kept out by a save which had commentators literally laughing out loud.

So what happened?

t felt like the story of the game was going to be something else entirely after Tottenham took a 3-0 lead.

The first goal saw Bayindir, given a chance in the cup over usual number one Andre Onana, parry Pedro Porro’s 25-yard shot straight to Dominic Solanke to slot in.

“The goalkeeper has to push that wide, he cannot push that back into the danger zone,” said ex-United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports.

“You could argue the United defenders are sleeping, but as a keeper you have got to make sure that goes out.”

Dejan Kulusevski and Solanke again seemingly put Tottenham in control.

Forster takes matters into own hands… well, feet

But 36-year-old Forster, deputising in recent weeks for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, took centre stage.

Moments after making an outstanding save to keep out Joshua Zirkzee’s header, he was caught out by the United striker.

Forster received a pass from Archie Gray and under some pressure from Zirkzee, passed the ball straight to United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes picked out Zirkzee via a deflection and it was an easy finish for 3-1.

“He is not amazing with the ball at his feet, Fraser Forster, but he hasn’t even looked where Bruno Fernandes is,” said Neville.

“He is not aware at all.”

Former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown, watching for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “He gets given a difficult ball but then he tries to be too calm and cool.

“He plays it right to Fernandes, it’s an awful mistake from the goalkeeper. Just take a touch, clear it away.”

One of the most Tottenham things you will see’

It got worse seven minutes later. Forster again received a backpass from Gray, took too long on the ball and as Amad Diallo slid in Forster’s attempted clearance ricocheted back into the goal.

That was 3-2.

“Ange Postecoglou is looking down to the ground in shock and disbelief,” said Brown.

“Forster takes far too long. Diallo just slides in and takes a risk, and because of the poor tempo of the goalkeeper he gets in front of it and the ball flies into the net. You can’t make mistakes like that at this level.”

Neville added: “This is one of the most Tottenham things you will see. Oh Fraser, he thinks he has time and an age.

“But Amad closes down with unbelievable tenacity and he goes for it.”