Andrew Dillon, The Sun
: Port Vale performed heroics and at times humbled Tottenham on their own manor before they caved in.Spurs struggled as Vale refused to be overawed - victory came so close for the visitors.
Vale keeper Mark Goodlad made four outstanding stops in the first half, saving from Jermain Defoe twice, Young-Pyo Lee and Phil Ifil.
After Martin Foyle's braves made it to half-time level, they sensed blood and went for the kill.
Martin Jol, who had made 10 changes from his team, which overcame Chelsea, was forced to abandon his B-list in favour of a more familiar line-up as Tottenham clawed their way back.
By the end of extra time, Dimitar Berbatov, Aaron Lennon and Hossam Ghaly had joined the cast list and the pressure told.
Vale went down fighting — but also with style.
Dream Team Star Man: Mark Goodlad (Port Vale).
Showed great reactions and confidence.Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror: Tottenham were given the fright of their lives by Port Vale.
Vale were flying by the seat of their pants and, almost inevitably, gave way to Tom Huddlestone's late heroics and Jermain Defoe's extra-time sweetener.
Gary Jacob, The Times: Port Vale showed plenty of spirit and resolve to take the lead before succumbing 3-1 in extra time.
In a below-par performance Tottenham missed a multitude of chances in the face of an outstanding goalkeeping display from Mark Goodlad and were equally culpable for some shoddy defending.
Tottenham were frustrated by dogged opponents. The entry of Steed Malbranque added some zip and invention to the midfield but Jermain Defoe was denied a number of times.
Vale grew in confidence at the start of the second half. Tottenham continued to squander a procession of chances.
Tottenham huffed and puffed in the final moments of normal time, before Vale tired at the start of the second period of extra time.
Oliver Brown, Daily Telegraph: An entertaining tussle though absent was some of Tottenham's recent flair.
Port Vale ran headlong into a side whose cup overflows with confidence. Tottenham's technique was methodical and deliberate with Steed Malbranque displaying a sharp turn of pace.
So much of Tottenham's play pivoted around Tom Huddlestone.
The reliable midfield service from Steed Malbranque freed up Jermain Defoe for several scoring opportunities.
Aaron Lennon was now creating his usual mayhem down the flanks but failing to find the crucial connection with fellow-substitute Dimitar Berbatov.
By far the most profligate, however, was Defoe.
Berbatov at least warmed to his task in extra-time, Lennon's dynamism, too, was proving difficult for Vale to deal with and the pressure at last told.
Matt Scott, The Guardian: Tottenham plundered a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup that Port Vale's pluck probably deserved.
Superior fitness and class allowed the home team to open a gulf during extra-time.
The match was far closer than the scoreline suggested.
The Valiants were not here to surrender as they seemed to be looking for an upset against a strong Spurs side here.
Mark Goodlad made seven saves which he will no doubt turn into a commemorative DVD.
Vale had their chances and were playing themselves into the match.
Inevitably, though, the home side had the best chances and it required Goodlad's marvels to maintain first-half parity.
Phil Shaw, The Independent: 3-1 was harsh on Mark Goodlad, who performed brilliantly in the visitors' goal.
It was a measure of Vale's resistance that Martin Jol had to send for Dimitar Berbatov and Aaron Lennon to break them.
Spurs took the game to their opponents from the outset.
Goodlad was equally determined to make the most of his evening in the spotlight and made one stunning save after another.
Vale created chances during the first half. Increasingly, though, Spurs' superior touch and movement held sway.
The siege resumed after the break before Vale became weary after a night of chasing and Vale knew the game was up.