PREMIERSHIP Tottenham came back to go through to the last four of the Carling Cup at Vicarage Road, as despite a valiant effort from the 'Orns they went crashing out at the quarter-final stage to last year's winners.

The Hornets started the game strongly and deservedly took the lead courtesy of Tamas Priskin, however Spurs were then in charge as they largely controlled the game.

That said, they didn't force too many saves from Scott Loach and the home side always fancied their chances when they won free-kicks in and around the penalty box.

A near on full house at Vicarage Road greeted the two teams, in front of the Sky cameras.

A huddle of photographers waited around the technical areas to meet the two managers, Brendan Rodgers taking charge of just his second game.

Brendan Rodgers and opposite number Harry Redknapp

For the home side there was one change as Leigh Bromby returned to partner Jay DeMerit at the heart of the defence.

Ross Jenkins returned to midfield, while Lee Williamson switched to wide right with Tommy Smith supporting Priskin up front.

The Golden Boys had the first attack of the game as they won a corner in front of the travelling Tottenham support.

Heurelho Gomes had to punch the ball away after a floated ball into the area, in the process he connected with Watford's Adrian Mariappa who took a few seconds to get to his feet.

The Hornets then had a minor scare of their own as DeMerit's clearance struck a Tottenham attacker, but luckily for the home side it passed without danger as the visitors couldn't punish the hosts.

The first booking of the game went to Watford's Jobi McAnuff, after he hacked down Fraiser Campbell as he raced clear after a quick breakaway.

Watford looked confident in possession and were backed by a noisy home crowd. In the 20th minute they opened the scoring and made that pressure count as the current Champions went one down.

Jon Harley burst forward from left back and into the Spurs half, he fed Smith who hit the by-line. His draw back found Priskin with his back to goal.

The Hungarian then turned and fired a low shot past Gomes to give the home side a dramatic lead that sent Vicarage Road wild.

Tamas Priskin fires in a first half goal against Spurs

After the goal, Spurs started to turn up the pressure on Rodgers' men as they were forced further and further back into their half.

On 20 minutes Aaron Lennon broke clear down the right flank, cut inside and his curling shot brought about a tremendous save from stopper Scott Loach.

Roman Pavlyuchenko's poor effort was then deflected off Bromby up and over the bar and it could have, quite frankly, gone anywhere.

The pressure continued with Watford forced back into their own half.

McAnuff then gave the ball away in a poor position as Harry Redknapp's team surged forward. The ball was slid to Jermaine Jenas who composed himself before unleashing a stinging shot that Loach did well to get his hands to.

Then there was another scare as things started to conspire against the 'Orns.

Hungary striker Tamas Priskin in the early action

Ex-Chelsea man Harley slipped and let Lennon in. Loach saved his original shot and came to the rescue as he collected the second ball under pressure.

Spurs were going up through the gears as Watford were hit by wave after wave of attacks.

With three minutes of the half remaining, they had the perfect opportunity as Pavlyuchenko took advantage of Bromby's mistake. But his curling shot hit the woodwork as the Hornets and the home crowd breathed a sigh of relief.

Then in time added on at the end of the first half, the visitors grabbed their equaliser after plenty of pressure.

Young midfielder Jenkins tripped Jenas in the area as he was going away from goal and Phil Dowd had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

That man Pavlyuchenko stepped up and his shot just slipped under Loach's grasp - and that was how the first half ended. The Hornets had started brightly but had been pegged back as the team from the Premiership went through their gears.

Watford lost captain DeMerit just before the hour mark as he hobbled off down the tunnel after a crunching tackle. He was replaced by Lloyd Doyley, who slotted in alongside Bromby.

Skipper Jay DeMerit limps off with a groin injury

The second half had so far been a disjointed affair and the home side hadn't re-found their promising attacking football that they opened the match up with.

Redknapp introduced Darren Bent on 64 minutes in place of Fraiser Campbell, a man who was a thorn in Watford's side during last season's play-off semi final.

Tottenham stepped up the pressure on the Watford goal with the introduction of Bent, however for all their play they didn't force Loach into a save.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto slung a cross right across the Watford goal but no one was there for the visitors to poke the ball past Loach as the Hornets breathed a sigh of relief.

Then from a Jamie O'Hara corner, Jonathan Woodgate rose tallest to plant a header at goal - but Mariappa was there to head away as the Hornets hacked the ball clear.

Lee Williamson rides a tackle from Benoit Assou-Ekotto

The writing was on the wall though as Tottenham stepped up and they were rewarded when Bent put Redknapp's men in front.

The ball found its way out to the former Charlton forward and his low shot beat Loach at the near post to send the travelling fans wild in celebration.

Rodgers sent Will Hoskins and John-Joe O'Toole on to liven his side up and try and put some pressure on Spurs.

But they continued to break forward with Lennon seeing plenty of the ball from the right hand side

A mazy run from the England international found Bent but his shot was directed straight at Loach.

Sub Hoskins shot inside the crowded box when in a great position, after a long throw-in from Bromby.

Then, in the final minute Watford won a free-kick in a promising position but sadly Lee Williamson's delivery was aimed straight at the 'keeper.

Three minutes of time was added on and despite the 'Orns winning another free-kick they couldn't create anything and the reigning Champions went on through to the semi-finals.     

WATFORD (4-4-1-1): Loach; Mariappa, Bromby, DeMerit (c) (Doyley 58), Harley; Williamson, Jenkins (O'Toole 78), Bridcutt, McAnuff (Hoskins 83); Smith; Priskin. Subs not used: Lee (gk), Robinson, Bangura, Henderson.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-4-2): Gomes; O'Hara, Woodgate, Dawson, Zakora; Corluka, Lennon, Jenas, Assou-Ekotto; Campbell (Bent 64), Pavlyuchenko. Subs not used: Sanchez (gk), Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Gunter, Boateng.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; McAnuff (professional foul 9), Priskin (ungentlemanly conduct 44). TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR; Assou-Ekotto (ungentlemanly conduct 67). 

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Priskin (12). TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Pavlychennko (45+2), Bent (76).

ATTENDANCE: 16,501 (2,245 Tottenham supporters).

REFEREE: P Dowd.