Bent sees off Watford

Winner: Darren Bent celebrates his crucial strike

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Spurs took another step towards successfully defending the Carling Cup, coming from behind to beat Watford 2-1.

The holders fell behind to an early Tamas Priskin goal but hit back to book their place in the semi-final draw.

Roman Pavlyuchenko brought Tottenham level with a coolly taken penalty on the stroke of half-time after Ross Jenkins brought down Jermaine Jenas.

And substitute Darren Bent took Tottenham closer to another Wembley appearance when his drive beat Hornets keeper Scott Loach at the near post.

Harry Redknapp has been Tottenham boss for less than six weeks and is already looking at a Wembley return.

The result meant Redknapp got one over his brother-in-law Frank Lampard Snr, who he had never faced before.

With Lampard appointed in his new role to assist Watford boss Brendan Rodgers as football consultant, one of his first tasks was to try to get the better of someone in his own family.

New boss Rodgers was given the perfect start when Priskin netted in the 13th minute from a move that started with Jon Harley stealing the ball off Aaron Lennon and racing forward.

The ball was worked to Tommy Smith, whose cross found Priskin with his back to goal - but the Hungary striker turned Jermaine Jenas and fired into the bottom corner for his third of the campaign.

Momentum

Spurs battled back and Loach saved at full stretch from Lennon to keep the hosts ahead, denying the winger from scoring with a deft chip after Didier Zokora had sent him down the right flank.

Pavlyuchenko had the next shot, drilling an effort that Leigh Bromby sliced over his own crossbar, with the holders building momentum after falling behind.

Jenas, back after two games out with a toe complaint, made a surging run that resulted in Loach saving his shot, then the Hornets shot-stopper denied Lennon again, this time gathering at the second attempt after palming the effort upwards.

Pavlyuchenko took advantage of a mix-up between Bromby and Jay DeMerit - but his finish crashed off the crossbar.

Jenas was then fouled by Jenkins for the penalty, Pavlyuchenko tucking away the spot-kick.

Jenkins almost atoned for giving away the penalty immediately after the restart when he shot from the edge of the area, only for Michael Dawson to race out and block bravely.

Rodgers was forced into a change when DeMerit was injured in a challenge with Zokora, leading to Lloyd Doyley coming off the bench.

Redknapp made his move midway through the second half by replacing Fraizer Campbell with Bent, who struck 11 minutes after coming on.

Liam Bridcutt won the ball with a challenge on Lennon but it played in Bent, whose finish at the near post should have been kept out by Loach. The strike proved crucial and leaves Spurs on the brink of another Wembley appearance.