Spurs Squeeze by Sheffield United in League Cup First Leg Semis

They say the M25 motorway circling London is the world's largest parking lot.

The rest of the capital city's congested roads aren't much better -- London's average street speed in 1900 was 11mph; today, it's 11.8mph -- and it caused Sheffield United to be late to the party at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham left it late, too, before a 74th-minute penalty conversion sealed a 1-0 result over the Blades in the other League Cup semi-final first leg. Chelsea v Liverpool grabbed more imagination.

Creativity wasn't exactly a strong point in this one, either. The usually artistic Spurs were apparently devoid of ideas on the night, and only an unfortunate hand ball put them in position to advance in the competition:

Thus, Andros Townsend stepped up and took advantage:

Tottenham has mastered Del Boy's ducking and diving prowess in the Capital One Cup. Spurs haven't faced a major opponent in the competition yet. Their journey to the finals seemed to be written in the stars.

Still, a side capable of sticking five past the league leaders should have buried a ton against a lower division crew, especially on their home turf. On the other hand, coach Nigel Clough was justifiably chuffed with his League One side's cup run and that the Blades continue to carry on, putting up a valiant road fight against a squad two levels higher up the chain:

It looks like the fire inside Hotspur is settling slowly, after all, and frustration is starting to take over. Like most of the teams in the Premiership, Tottenham were full of attack in this competition but short on goals.

Sheffield United have to be credited for only allowing one in. Now, they'll have Bramall Lane rocking in the second leg. Hopefully, it'll be decided by a hero rather than a penalty taker.