In the recent quarter-finals of the English League Cup, the four semi-finalists were decided in spectacular fashion.
Arsenal 5 def. Sunderland 1
The first quarter-final began on the night of the 22nd of December when Sunderland, third in League One in the English Football League traveled to Arsenal, who were fourth in the Premier League.
The game started with Arsenal dominating and it only took them 16 minutes to get off the mark with a beautiful touch from Eddie Nketiah from a saved Rob Holding header. A nice string of passes between Nicolas Pepe and Cedric Soares doubled Arsenal’s lead around the 27th minute. Sunderland managed to get a goal back through a wonderful counterattack finished with a scintillating chip by striker Nathan Broadhead.
Just after halftime, a low-driven cross by Tavares was touched in by Nketiah for his brace. His hat trick goal came in perfect fashion with his best finish of the night, a backheel finish following skillful play from Pepe. Pepe once again grabbed an assist as he set up promising youngster Charlie Patino for his first-ever Arsenal goal in the first team. Arsenal grabbed a wonderful 5 goals, Sunderland only managed to get one, but they had a few chances to grab more which they will no doubt be disappointed with.
Chelsea 2 def. Brentford 0
Despite Chelsea being clear favourites before the match, there was still some worry when they came up against a tough Brentford side at home, as they hadn’t won in four matches before this game, experiencing a dip in their previously scintillating form which had seen them at the top of the Premier League for 12 weeks.
The game started off rather dull, with the first save coming in around the 30-minute mark when Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa saved a header from Matias Jensen following a cross from the speedy Rico Henry. Henry was once again at the centre of a Brentford attack as he caught a long ball and ran onto it, unfortunately, only to be denied by Kepa.
The second half started brighter for Chelsea with more possession and meaningful passes trying to open Brentford up. They came close with a fierce Barkley strike in the 68th minute but hit the jackpot in the 80th after an own goal following a dangerous low-driven cross from Reece James. The Blues doubled their lead after a converted Jorginho penalty following the Brentford goalkeeper Fernandez tripping Christian Pulisic.
The game finished with Chelsea winning by a margin of two goals, perhaps a little unfair to Brentford’s efforts but they will be looking to improve on their ability to convert their chances.
Liverpool 3 drew Leicester 3 (Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties)
The lights at Anfield were all set for this classic game. Underperforming Leicester had something to prove after doing below average so far in the season, including being knocked out of the Europa league most recently. Scintillating Liverpool who once again this season were showing us why they were at the top in their domestic and European competitions.
The game started off in a thrilling fashion with both teams playing exciting fast-paced football. It took all of nine minutes for a goal to be scored, by Leicester’s Jamie Vardy scoring in typical Vardy fashion, a hard low driven shot into the bottom corner of the keeper. It took all of three minutes for Leicester to double their lead, with another Vardy goal.
Liverpool got one back only six minutes later after a fierce shot from Oxlade-Chamberlain following a pullback from Firmino. Around the 33-minute mark, James Maddison rifled a shot into the top left corner from around 25 yards, scoring arguably the goal of the game. The game remained the same way, in thrilling and end-to-end fashion after halftime and the scoring didn’t let up, with Diogo Jota smashing the ball into the back of the net with 20 minutes to go.
The game looked all set and done however in the last minute of added time after Takumi Minamino chested down a lobbed ball from James Milner and fired it past Schmeichel to equalize the game in the final minute of normal time. As the game couldn’t be settled in the original 90 minutes it was decided the fate of the game would go to penalties.
Both sides scored their first three penalties through Tielemans, Albrighton, Maddison and Firmino, Milner, and Oxlade Chamberlain respectively. Leicester was then on the ropes as Luke Thomas missed his penalty while Keita converted his. With one kick to secure their place in the final, Minamino, the hero for Liverpool stepped up.. and blazed it over the bar. Iheanacho managed to score his once again tying the shootout and sending it to sudden death. Ryan Bertrand stepped up to take the first of the sudden death round for Leicester and saw his shot saved by Kelleher. With a kick left to secure their semi-final spot, Jota broke Leicester’s hearts and slotted it into the bottom left corner.
Tottenham 2 def. West Ham 1
A formidable Spurs who hadn’t lost since their new boss Antonio Conte had taken over were looking imperious as they hosted a resilient and strong West Ham side who had beaten Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham already this season.
The game started with both teams having good chances to score, but Tottenham opened the scoring with a lovely passage of play, with Bergwin finishing the move off with a simple tap in with his left foot. Bowen equalized for the visitors almost straight away receiving the ball from an accurate shot turned pass from Vlasic, and then placing it past Lloris.
There was once again a goal straight after the other, as Bergwin danced through the West Ham defense and squared it to Lucas Moura who tapped it in for Tottenham.
Bergwin was once again involved in a goal, showing his skill and the form that had earned him a move from PSV almost two years ago. In the second half, it was all West Ham as Spurs sat back, determined to keep the lead. They managed to do so, but not by much as there were a few close calls including a crossbar hit from a deflected shot through Andriy Yarmolenko. Spurs will be happy they defeated their London rivals whereas West Ham will be ruing their missed chances.
Pioneer Australia 