Moussa Sissoko 8, Tanguy Ndombele 8, Harry Kane 6; Rico Henry 8: Tottenham v Brentford semi-final ratings

Spurs make it to the final in push for first trophy in 13 years

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  TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 6 – He made a comfortable save from a tame header from Ivan Toney, but was guilty of failing to deal with a header across the face of his goal, which saw the ball end up in the net but ultimately disallowed for offside. Getty

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  Serge Aurier 6 – A bit wasteful in possession at times but looked dangerous when attacking. He made a crucial block at Ivan Toney’s expense after Sanchez failed to clear. Getty

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  Davinson Sanchez 6 – Was usually in the right place at the right time, winning his headers and doing enough to keep Toney quiet. He made a good block at the start of the second half to deny Canos, but was bailed out by Aurier when, moments later, he first failed to clear and then almost gave away a penalty. AP

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  Eric Dier 7 – The more comfortable of Tottenham’s central defenders. Solid in the challenge and comfortable on the ball. Reuters

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  Sergio Reguilon 7 – Delivered an inch-perfect cross for Sanchez to open the scoring, but had a tough first half dealing with Bryan Mbuemo. Grew into the game and, as ever, his crossing was superb. Reuters

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  Moussa Sissoko 8 – Before the game he talked about the importance of scoring the first goal, and he ended up providing it. He made a run between the two centre-backs and guided a free header into the net. Kept up a fierce intensity all game. PA

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  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7 – Such a formidable presence in the middle, he provided an effective barrier in front of the back four. Was on the wrong end of a studs-first challenge from Dasilva near the end and was substituted. PA

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  Lucas Moura 5 – A largely ineffective performance from the Brazilian, who made way for Harry Winks. He worked hard, but couldn’t make an impact in the final third. PA

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  Tanguy Ndombele 8 – The Frenchman got a full 90 minutes and oozed class alongside Hoijberg. Kept the ball well and was battling right to the last minute. Provided the pass for Son to score the second. Reuters

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  Heung-Min Son 7 – Made a crucial block from Dasilva by throwing his body on the line before the break. He then made the game safe with a clinical finish. AFP

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  Harry Kane 6 - Looked tired and didn’t get his first sight on goal until the second half. His closest effort was well worked; a neat first touch from a free kick was followed by a goalbound shot with his second, but was well saved by Raya. AP

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  SUBS: Harry Winks (Moura, 74) – N/A Came on, worked hard, and provided Spurs with a bit more balance. Reuters

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  Ben Davies (Reguilon, 74) N/A – Was brought on to protect Tottenham’s lead and did just that, though he was beaten in the air at the back post on one occasion. Carlos Vinicious (Son, 89) N/A - Made some good runs but saw little of the ball. Japhet Tanganga (Hoijberg, 86) N/A – A solid cameo in front of the back four as he returned from injury. Reuters

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  BRENTFORD RATINGS: David Raya 7 – Could do little about the opening goal but kept Brentford in the game when, moments after Sissoko’s effort, he saved Son’s effort from inside the area. Made a couple of key stops. PA

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  Henrik Dalsgaard 5 – Found it hard keeping pace with Spurs when they attacked, and was lucky not to get booked for a lunge on Son. Getty

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  Ethan Pinnock 7 – An accomplished performance, particularly when dealing with Kane. Showed good strength and composure on the ball, and kept pace with Spurs on the break. AFP

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  Mads Bech Sorensen 6 – Did well with the ball at his feet but was guilty of ball watching when Sissoko snuck into the box to head the opener. EPA

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  Rico Henry 8 – Looked superb on the ball when attacking and also accomplished when defending. Showed good pace and all-round awareness. Looked every inch a Premier League player. Getty

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  Joshua Dasilva 7 – Played well but sometimes slowed Brentford’s attacking play by taking an extra touch. Was red carded for his challenge on Hoijberg late on. AP

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  Vitaly Janelt 6 – Like Sorensen, he was completely unaware of Sissoko’s run for the first goal. Was sometimes overrun in the middle, but showed his quality when he had the ball. Reuters

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  Mathias Jensen 6 – Worked hard for the Bees and passed the ball well but couldn’t really influence the play where it mattered. PA

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  Bryan Mbeumo 7 – Got the wrong side of Reguilon on several occasions and was a threat all evening. Loved to run with the ball at his feet. AP

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  Ivan Toney 6 – A game of few opportunities for the Bees’ top striker. He had a header in the first half but was put under pressure by Sanchez. He then had a goal disallowed in the second half when, after heading home, he was adjudged to have been offside. AFP

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  Sergi Canos 5 – A disappointing night for Canos who showed plenty of endeavour but was ineffectual. PA

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  SUBS: Tariqe Fosu (Canos 74) N/A - Looked sharp when he came on and should probably have been introduced earlier. Lively, and showed some nice touches. EPA

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  Marcus Forss (Mbuemo, 81) N/A - Got 10 minutes but didn’t really get much of a chance to show what his ability.

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  Emiliano Marcondes (Janelt,74) N/A - Had a good effort from a tight angle and forced Lloris into a save. Reuters

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho said he senses the desire of his players to end the club's 13-year trophy drought after they reached the League Cup final, beating Championship side Brentford 2-0.

Spurs have not lifted a major trophy since their League Cup triumph over Chelsea in 2008 and goals from Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-min secured their ninth final appearance in the competition, which they have won four times.

Mourinho, who is seeking his fifth League Cup crown as a manager after previous triumphs with Chelsea (2005, 2007, 2015) and Manchester United (2017), said there was a simple secret to success in the competition.

"I came to England in 2004 and I remember... I had to learn the meaning of the cups here and I always took it seriously. If there's any secret it's to take it seriously. To respect what English football is," he said.

"What I sense in the team is exactly that desire. I'm not saying winning mentality, I'm not saying we are this or that. I just say we're honest people.

"The guys since the first game against Chelsea, then Stoke City, and now... took it seriously. That's what I hope to do on Sunday in Crosby against Marine (in the FA Cup third round). Try to be serious, respect the opponents and try to progress."

In the final at Wembley Stadium on April 25, Tottenham will face Manchester United or Manchester City who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

Tottenham defender Eric Dier said his teammates were desperate for silverware.

"Since I've been here we've been wanting to, that motivation hasn't changed," Dier told Sky Sports.

"There's a lot of football to be played before it but it's fantastic to be in the first final possible."