Tottenham Hotspur did not survive their first real League Cup test on Wednesday night, as they were soundly knocked out of the competition by another Champions League side, Newcastle United, falling 2-0 to the Magpies in another offensive drought.
It was a disappointing performance for Spurs after a 3-0 win against Everton over the weekend that was seemingly a bounce back result, but anyone raising panic alarms must realize that the actual performance on the pitch was better than the scoreline suggests.
Compounding that, Spurs were without a few key players in this game. They rested superstar center back Micky van de Ven, while Cristian Romero was wisely held out with an injury ahead of an even bigger fixture this coming weekend against rivals and Premier League title challengers Chelsea.
Speaking of that game, Spurs fans were concerned that star goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario could be out for the club against the Blues. Vicario had just proved to the world that he is a top keeper with an insane Champions League night against Monaco to gift Spurs a point when they should have lost at least 3-0.
Tottenham won't miss their star vs. Chelsea
Vicario, however, didn't play against Newcastle, and for as many Spurs fans wanted young Antonin Kinsky to start over him, the Italian international was sorely missed. Thankfully, Frank told fans after the game, via The Spurs Express, that there is nothing to worry about on the Vicario front. The veteran shot-stopper will be back in time to face Chelsea over the weekend.
The Vicario injury news is a huge relief for Tottenham, who are already hurting with injuries to must-starts on the back line in Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero. Those guys were missed again by Spurs on Wednesday in the shutout loss to Newcastle, but, of course, Vicario was the biggest talking point after watching how uncomfortable Kinsky looked as a shot-stopper, notably on the two goals allowed.
Of course, Vicario has mistakes in him, too, which is why that whole conversation even started in the first place, but he makes saves that few goalkeepers on this planet have any business making. After this performance from Kinsky and Vicario's own against Monaco, it will indeed be a huge relief to have him back against Chelsea, with the Blues coming off an offenisve romping in their own League cup fixture at mid-week, which ended up being a thriller of a 4-3 victory over Wolves.