Chelsea 3 Tottenham Hotspur 2 – League Cup, December 22nd 1971
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Chelsea 2 – League Cup, January 5th 1972
The first leg of the League Cup semi-final was played just three days before Christmas but there was never likely to be much festive cheer when the opponents were the holders of the trophy - Tottenham Hotspur.
The first leg proved to be a pulsating affair with both teams leading before a late goal gave a narrow advantage to take to White Hart Lane.
Peter Osgood was responsible for the half-time lead but two goals in two minutes saw Spurs ahead. Chris Garland had missed two easy chances and also hit the crossbar but made amends heading home a corner to equalise. John Hollins then scored a penalty with just five minutes left.
The return game was no less exciting. An all-ticket crowd of 52,000 saw Spurs level on aggregate in first-half injury time. Garland equalised with his second goal of the tie, a blistering left-foot shot only for Alan Hudson to give away a penalty. Then, in the very last minute Hudson atoned as his free-kick from way out on the wing trickled under Pat Jennings to send the Chelsea supporters into ecstasy and take us to our third major cup final in three years.