Holders Spurs leave it late

Roman Pavyluchenko and Jermain Defoe scored in extra-time to break Burnley hearts with a 6-4 aggregate win and hand Carling Cup holders Tottenham a mouthwatering final date with Manchester United.

Owen Coyle's brave Coca-Cola Championship team won the match 3-0 in normal time with goals from the outstanding Robbie Blake, Chris McCann and substitute Jay Rodriguez. That made the tie 4-4 on aggregate following Tottenham's 4-1 first-leg win at White Hart Lane, and ensured a period of extra-time.

But just when Coyle's men looked set to progress to Wembley by virtue of having scored an away goal in the first leg of this astounding semi-final, substitute Pavlyuchenko slotted home in the 118th minute - and Defoe netted another minute later.

Debutant goalkeeper Ben Alnwick was at fault for Burnley's first and third goals as Coyle's men attacked with pace and vigour from the outset. Of Tottenham's starting line-up, Jonathan Woodgate and Didier Zokora were the only two survivors from the side which beat Chelsea 2-1 in last year's final.

The hosts started positively and were rewarded in style in the 34th minute when Blake claimed a brilliant opener. Jonathan Woodgate fouled Joey Gudjonsson 25 yards out and to the right of Alnwick's goal, but the rookie stopper allowed Blake to whip in a curling free-kick which beat him at his near post.

Suddenly, Turf Moor sensed the kind of upset Coyle had described beforehand when he said his side would need to "scale Everest and beyond" to progress to the final. Burnley continued to probe in the second period and were rewarded in the 73rd minute when Blake showed nimble footwork to outfox Chris Gunter and fire a low cross to the far post, where McCann was lurking to side-foot the ball home.

The Clarets had Spurs on the ropes, and their fightback appeared complete when Rodriguez prodded in a loose ball after Alnwick fumbled Blake's free-kick.

Tottenham began extra-time purposefully, and Tom Huddlestone's long-range shot drew a smart stop from Brian Jensen at his near post. In the 118th minute, Pavlyuchenko rifled home a left-foot shot from six yards - and Defoe curled home a second moments later.