Harry Kane fired Tottenham a step closer to the League Cup final as his penalty sealed a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are chasing their first trophy since winning the 2008 League Cup at the expense of Chelsea.

Kane's first-half spot-kick, awarded via VAR, settled a hard-fought encounter to keep Tottenham on course for a first League Cup final appearance since their 2015 defeat against the Blues.

That loss was one of several missed opportunities for Pochettino to win the first silverware of his promising managerial career.

This was an important step towards ending that drought.

It was also the first time Tottenham have won three consecutive matches against Chelsea in all competitions since a run of five between March 1961 and September 1963.

However, that statistical flourish will count for nothing if Tottenham don't finish the job in the second leg at Stamford Bridge on January 24.

Once again, a meeting between these fierce London rivals was marred by ugly chants in the stands, with one 17-year-old fan arrested for allegedly singing an anti-Semitic song.

It was another frustrating night for Chelsea, who recovered from a sluggish start to dominate the second half without turning their possession into goals -- a familiar tale of woe for Maurizio Sarri's men.

Early on, Son Heung-min accelerated onto Dele Alli's long pass and was tugged over by Blues defender Andreas Christensen, only for referee Michael Olivier to wave play on as Tottenham appealed for a red card.

Kane was making his first League Cup start in 1204 days, dating back to 2015.

And he almost announced his return to the competition in spectacular fashion when his overhead kick from Kieran Trippier's cross forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into action.

Tottenham were the more vibrant and cohesive force and their impactful start was rewarded with Kane's 27th-minute opener.