/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69182858/834187100.0.jpg)
Not a single person reading this needs to be reminded of what is at stake. Since hoisting the League Cup trophy in 2008, Tottenham Hotspur has yet to claim any silverware, losing two League Cup finals (2009 and 2015) and falling just short in the 2019 Champions League. It has been a memorable 13 seasons that has seen the club take huge steps forward, yet the one thing that is missing is a trophy.
Sunday represents the latest chance to break that spell. Spurs are big underdogs to Manchester City, who is on its way to another Premier League title and perhaps a European honor to go with it. Caretaker Ryan Mason will have been on the job for under a week, making a win at Wembley even more improbable, but anything can happen in a cup final.
Perhaps the biggest source of hope is Tottenham’s inexplicable recent good fortunes against City, despite typically being outplayed — often significantly so. The 2019 Champions League Quarterfinal was one for the ages, and the following fall yielded a 2-2 draw thanks to a near repeat VAR decision. Jose Mourinho then snagged consecutive 2-0 wins at home despite a completely lopsided stat sheets, which finally leveled out in a 3-0 City victory in February.
Sunday’s final was pushed back in hopes of allowing some fans back into the stadium, and that will indeed be the case, though in limited numbers. It has been quite the week in European football, with both Spurs and City drawing tons of criticism, so there will definitely be some mixed emotions among supporters.
The League Cup may be the smallest of Tottenham’s four competitions, but there is no understating how meaningful a win would be today. It would be absolutely spectacular to see Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, and many others lift a trophy in a Spurs shirt, providing a final stamp of validation of the progress that we have already seen. It will not come easily, but this club deserves to finally win one.
Lineups
⚪️ Lloris (C), Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon, Højbjerg, Winks, Lo Celso, Lucas, Son, Kane.#CarabaoCupFinal ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/J88a3Jyehy
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2021
The boys going into battle!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 25, 2021
XI | Steffen, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
SUBS | Ederson, Ake, Jesus, Aguero, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Torres, Mendy
⚽️ @HaysWorldwide
#ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/H41AwZZNMp
How to Watch
Date: Sunday, April 25, 2021
Time: 11:30 a.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. UK
Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
TV: none (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Streaming: ESPN+ (USA), Sky GO Extra (UK)
Cartilage Free Captain has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Cartilage Free Captain and SB Nation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our guiding principles.
Match thread rules
The match thread rules are the same as always. To any visitors coming here for the first time, welcome! We’re glad you’re here! Wipe your feet, mind the gap, and be sure to check out the other pages at this outstanding site. While you’re here, though, we have a few rules and regulations:
- Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They’re bad and they get us in trouble. Violators will be warned or banned.
- We have rules against “relentless negativity.” Nobody likes a Negative Nancy. Don’t knee-jerk and post outlandish or hurtful things just because you’re frustrated.
- Along those lines, outright abuse of players or match officials is also not allowed. It’s fine to say “wow, that was a really bad call,” but it’s NOT okay to direct copious amounts of abuse in the direction of said official over a call you did not like.
- Treat other people in the match thread the way you would want someone else to treat your grandmother. Be nice. This is a community of fans, not an unmoderated message board.
- Finally, while we don’t have a rule against profanity, please try and keep the naughty words in check. Also, language that is sexist, racist, or homophobic in nature will be swiftly deleted and you will be immediately banned. This is an open, supportive community.
Have fun, and COYS!