Football
Manchester City suffered a cup defeat at Newcastle. How did the Carabao Cup semi-final draw go?
The English League Cup, played under the name of Carabao Cup, offered a duel between ambitious Newcastle United and star Manchester City at the end of the third round on Wednesday. This time, its Norwegian forward mainstay Erling Haaland stayed only on the bench to watch his team’s defeat. The Magpies won 1-0 thanks to Alexander Isak’s goal from a successful second-half opener. What are the results of the other matches and the eight-final pairing?
The English League Cup, played under the name of Carabao Cup, offered a duel between ambitious Newcastle United and star Manchester City at the end of the third round on Wednesday. This time, its Norwegian forward mainstay Erling Haaland stayed only on the bench to watch his team’s defeat. The Magpies won 1: 0 thanks to Alexander Isak’s goal from a good start to the second half. What are the results of the other matches and the eight-final pairing?
The showpiece game of the competition phase for the 32 participants was played at a packed St James’ Park from 9pm. Both teams started with modified starting elevens. Pep Guardiola’s team was missing, among others, the punished Rodri, who received a red card in Saturday’s Premier League match against Nottingham.
The Cityzens had territorial superiority from the start. In the 18th minute, Julián Álvarez had an interesting chance. He ran into a free space in the whitewash and forced Nick Pope to intervene with a shot aimed at the far post.
The Argentine striker scored a second time ten minutes later. His shot from the left side went wide of the target. The course of the first half was mainly in the spirit of Manchester’s patient combination and consistent defending by the home side Strak.
Still, coach Eddie Howe’s charges could have taken the lead in the 41st minute. However, a promising break ended with a failed attempt by Jacob Murphy, which was cleared out for a corner by Stefan Ortega. The 30-year-old German usually has Ederson’s back in the number two goalkeeping position.
Newcastle made a double substitution at half-time. Teenagers Lewis Miley and Lewis Hall were replaced by Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon. They and their teammates entered the second half more active.
And in the 53rd minute, last year’s runners-up even opened the scoring. Joelinton ran into the penalty area and crossed the ball to Alexander Isak, who had no problem hitting the open net from close range.
The visitors, despite being the favourites, were then unable to develop the kind of pressure that would have brought the equaliser. Rico Lewis came close at the end of regulation time, but his shot from just outside the sixteen was just wide of the left post.
In the end, Erling Haaland, the top scorer of the current squad of the eight-time champions of the cup also known as the EFL Cup, did not get involved at all. Manchester City will not win the trophy this year. Newcastle United kept the score at 1:0 even in the six-minute setup.
Other third round results
The opening seven matches of the third round took place on Tuesday, when defending champions Manchester United defeated Crystal Palace 3: 0. Two other Premier League teams, namely Luton and Wolverhampton, were eliminated.
On Wednesday, West Ham celebrated promotion alongside others. The only goal was scored by Tomas Soucek in the 70th minute against third-tier Lincoln. Liverpool were trailing from the third minute, but turned the tide in the second half and won 3-1 against Leicester. The match between Aston Villa and Everton ended 1:2. London clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea have also reached the last eight.
Bradford City – Middlesbrough 0:2
Exeter City – Luton Town 1:0
Ipswich Town – Wolverhampton Wanderers 3:2
Mansfield Town – Peterborough United 3:2 after a penalty.
Port Vale – Sutton United 2:1
Salford City – Burnley 0:4
Manchester United – Crystal Palace 3:0
Aston Villa – Everton 1:2
Blackburn Rovers – Cardiff City 5:2
Bournemouth – Stoke City 2:0
Brentford – Arsenal 0:1
Chelsea – Brighton & Hove Albion 1:0
Fulham – Norwich City 2:1
Lincoln City – West Ham United 0:1
Liverpool – Leicester City 3:1
The eight-final draw
Shortly after the last match of the third round, the draw for the fourth round took place, which is scheduled for the week of Monday 30 October. We can look forward to a repeat of February’s Carabao Cup final, a rematch between Manchester United and Newcastle. There will also be a battle for London between West Ham and Arsenal.
Mansfield Town – Port Vale
Ipswich Town – Fulham
Manchester United – Newcastle United
Bournemouth – Liverpool
Chelsea – Blackburn Rovers
West Ham United – Arsenal
Everton – Burnley
Exeter City – Middlesbrough
Source: Carabao Cup, Nova Sport 1