Egyptian striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' inspired Tottenham to a hard fought 1-0 over Southend in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. Mido set up strike partner Jermain Defoe for the winner in the 115th minute after the match went into extra-time. The win secured Spurs' place in the League Cup semi-finals along with Chelsea, who beat Newcastle United 1-0 and third-division side Wycombe. The fourth team will be decided on January 9th when Arsenal take on Liverpool after their match was cancelled due to weather conditions.
Defoe scored the winner Mido came very close from scoring on more than one occasion. The Egyptian international saw his brilliant first-half volley denied by the crossbar before having a stoppage time header sublimely parried away by Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan to send the game into overtime. With five minutes to play in the second-half of extra time, Mido sent an inch-perfect cross to Defoe who made no mistake and slid to fire home past the hapless Flahavan. The draw for the semi-finals will take place on Saturday.