Woodgate, skipper for the 2-1 win at Vicarage Road, scored the winner for Spurs in last season's final – and the holders are two ties away from retaining their trophy.

"I'd like to think we can win it, of course we can," said the 28-year-old centre-back.

Spurs had to come from a goal behind against Brendan Rodgers' side following Tamas Priskin's opener, with Roman Pavlyuchenko levelling from the penalty spot before Darren Bent climbed off the bench to score the winner.

"It was more about not staying out for another half an hour in the freezing cold," Bent joked. "The team played well, we created chances and got the result.

"It is massive, the Carling Cup is another bit of silverware for us."

Spurs are now in the hat with Manchester United, Burnley and Derby, giving manager Harry Redknapp the scent of glory despite prioritising the league.

Redknapp, who won the FA Cup with Portsmouth last season, added: "You get this close and it's important to try to go all the way now. The priority is the league, then secondly this competition."