Tottenham Hotspur are in control of their League Cup semi-final with Sheffield United but a tough first leg highlighted to Mauricio Pochettino that Wembley remains a way off.
Andros Townsend’s second-half penalty saw Spurs eke out a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane, although victory was far from straightforward.
Once again Sheffield’s performance in the cup belied their League One status as they threatened to make the North Londoners their sixth top-flight victim since the start of 2014.
That is a feat they will need to achieve at Bramall Lane next week if they are to progress from what Pochettino knows will be a combative second leg.
“It was a very tough game, important to win and to go to Sheffield next week 1-0 up in the tie,” the Spurs head coach said.
“I’m happy with the performance. It was difficult to create chances, Sheffield played deep, were very aggressive and well organised.
“It was a good test in the first game and now we realise the level Sheffield United are at and that they deserve to be in the semi-final.
"They have won games against Premier League sides Southampton and QPR and we have respect for them, but we need to go to Sheffield and try to get the victory to deserve to go to the final."
In a match devoid of much quality, a lot of the focus fell on divisive frontman Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Togolese striker, captaining the side on his first start since November 2, missed a great chance in the first half after picking up a booking for catching Sheffield United midfielder Louis Reed in the face.
Furthermore, Adebayor was jeered by sections of the Spurs support for the second successive match – something Pochettino said he was unaware of as he downplayed the decision to give him the armband.
“He is one of the three captains,” Pochettino said.
“You forget (I named them) at the beginning of the season. I think it is not the moment to explain why.
“When I took a decision it was seven months ago, I took the decision that (Younes) Kaboul, (Hugo) Lloris and Adebayor were three captains, seven months ago. It is a long, long time ago that happened.
“I had no doubts (about making him captain). I didn’t hear (any bad reaction). I am focused on the game.”
Sheffield manager Nigel Clough was left agonising over the penalty decision having seen his side push their more illustrious opponents, although the scoreline was one he revealed he would have settled for ahead of the game.
“We made it as uncomfortable for Spurs as we could,” Clough said.
“They found it difficult to break us down. We could have created more but I was pleased overall.
“We would have taken the result if you’d offered us it before the game. But we’re disappointed because we played well.”
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