Manchester City was eliminated by Tottenham (2-1) in the round of 16 of the English League Cup, this Wednesday, while Chelsea, finalists last year, fell 2-0 against Newcastle.
Manchester United fared better, in crisis in the Premier League, which gained some oxygen by beating Leicester 5-2.
But while many looked with interest at United for their bad moment, the news of the day was the premature goodbye of Manchester City, current leader of the English league, which last year had also been eliminated in an early round, in that case in round of 32
Tottenham quickly took control of the game and distanced themselves 2-0 before half an hour of play thanks to goals from German Timo Werner (5) and Senegalese Pape Matar Sarr (25). The ‘Citizens’ reduced the deficit just before the break, thanks to the Portuguese Matheus Nunes (45+4), but could not complete the comeback in the second half.
This goodbye is a relative disappointment for City, since the League Cup is considered a minor competition in English football. Josep Guardiola and his pupils will now focus their efforts on the Premier League, the English Cup and the Champions League, before the Club World Cup at the end of the year.
City’s star scorer, Norwegian Erling Haaland, who followed the game from the bench, did not participate in the clash.
In the case of Manchester United, barely fourteenth in the English league and which has just fired its coach Erik Ten Hag, the 5-2 win against Leicester had a soothing effect.
The Brazilian Casemiro and the Portuguese Bruno Fernandes, with two doubles, were the protagonists of the match.
Liverpool, defending champions, suffered but pulled through against Brighton (3-2). The ‘Reds’ had to wait for the second half to unlock the game, mainly with a double from the Dutchman Cody Gakpo.
Chelsea, meanwhile, lost 2-0 at Newcastle. A goal from Alexander Izak and a goal against Axel Disasi condemned the ‘Blues’.
Arsenal, third in the English league, did not give a chance to Preston (3-0), from the second category, while Aston Villa was beaten (2-1) at home by Crystal Palace.
On Tuesday, Southampton and Brentford had earned their tickets to the quarterfinals by beating Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday, respectively, two teams from the second division.
— Results of the round of 16 of the English League Cup:
– Mars:
(+) Southampton (1ª) – Stoke (2ª) 3-2
(+) Brentford (1ª) – Sheffield Wednesday (2ª) 1-1, 5-4 por penales
– Wednesday:
Brighton (1ª) – (+) Liverpool (1ª) 2-3
Aston Villa (1ª) – (+) Crystal Palace (1ª) 1-2
(+) Manchester United (1ª) – Leicester (1ª) 5-2
(+) Newcastle (1ª) – Chelsea (1ª) 2-0
Preston (2ª) – (+) Arsenal (1ª) 0-3
(+) Tottenham (1st) – Manchester City (1st) 2-1
— Quarterfinal matchups (to be played in the week beginning December 16):
Tottenham – Manchester United
Arsenal – Crystal Palace
Newcastle – Brentford
Southampton – Liverpool
afp/dar/hpa/dr
