Carabao Cup

THAT is more like it.After a record 34 unconverted shots at Anfield against Manchester United on Sunday, Liverpool finally got their reward for their scattergun approach to finding the net.
Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock with a brilliant strikeCredit: Getty
Szoboszlai now has four goals this seasonCredit: PA
Curtis Jones squeezed a second in from a tight angleCredit: Getty
Jones scored a brace on a fine evening for the young midfielderCredit: Reuters
Liverpool dominated West Ham across the 90 minutes
Jones produced some hugely impressive stats against West Ham
Seven more wayward attempts and 28 minutes into their Carabao Cup quarter final against West Ham, the net rippled at the eighth attempt with a 25-yard scorcher from Dominik Szoboslai.
With their shooting boots laced up, the hosts found their killer instinct at long last – Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah adding the extras after the break. This time, 28 shots, five goals.
Far from perfect, but the sort of shot-to-goal ratio that would have easily seen off Man Utd, and will definitely have title rivals Arsenal taking note ahead of their Saturday night visit.
A semi-final for Liverpool in a competition they are looking to win for a record 10th time is nothing to be scoffed at, even if they continue to search for their vibrant, brilliant, heavy-metal best.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
But boss Jurgen Klopp will hope these are signs his Reds are only just warming up this campaign, having told the Kop faithful in his pre-match programme notes to keep the faith.
Not that they were given any sort of contest by West Ham, and David Moyes left the red half of Merseyside without a win for the 21st time in his career – and counting – even with Jarrod Bowen’s consolation curling beauty.
With June’s Europa Conference League final victory firmly in the memory bank, the Hammers fans could have been afforded more silverware dreaming with another semi in sight.
But there is a reason the East Londoners have now won just once in their last 56 attempts away at Liverpool – an unwanted streak stretching back 60 years.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
Szoboszlai was everywhere for Liverpool on Wednesday evening
Cody Gakpo added a third for Jurgen Klopp’s sideCredit: AFP
It did not help that Moyes made half a dozen changes from their impressive 3-0 dismantling of Wolves at the weekend, including dropping Lucas Paqueta, James Ward-Prowse, Emerson and skipper Kurt Zouma.
Illness has been an unwelcome presence hampering the West Ham squad recently.
Regardless, this sort of performance is one of the reason Moyes remains on thin ice with some sections of the fanbase.
In the end, it was an embarrassing display.
Liverpool will not have an easier evening all season, ensuring they remain unbeaten at home, winning 13 out of 12. Ominous form with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners shortly in town.
Klopp also took this as a chance to rotate, leaving the likes of Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate among the substitutes.
Harvey Elliott – keen to prove he is more than a super sub having started just one Premier League match so far this season – produced a hat-trick of attempts inside the first 20 minutes with only one on target.
VAR was unplugged for this one, and Darwin Nunez looked to break West Ham’s offside trap with Vladimir Coufal seemingly too deep, but a debatable flag saved the Czech full-back’s blushes.
Liverpool were utterly dominant with plenty of chances but none forcing visiting keeper Alphonse Areola into a meaningful save.
Sound familiar? Anfield certainly felt so, the groans becoming louder.
Mo Salah got in on the act as he scored Liverpool’s fourthCredit: Getty
Those groans were soon interrupted by a screamer.
Poor by Said Benrahma, a weak attempt at a counter attack giving Szoboslai the time and space to pick his spot, and then some.
It was a knuckleball technique by the Hungarian that sparked memories of Cristiano Ronaldo during his prime Man Utd years.
In response, Klopp clenched his knuckles with a cheesy grin.
How Liverpool would love Szoboslai to make that a trademark finish on a regular basis, adding to the four goals in a red shirt he has so far.
West Ham really were living off scraps, Bowen – on his 27th birthday – barely able to show the qualities he possesses that make him a player heavily admired by Klopp.
Gakpo’s header on the brink of half-time should have nestled in Areola’s bottom corner – a warning sign the visitors did not take heed of in the second half with some woeful defending.
Tomas Soucek decided to let Jones wander into the box unmarked in the 56th minute and was duly punished as the midfielder produced a neat finish from a tight angle through Areola’s legs.
Paqueta was brought on moments later, out of desperation more than anything, while Klopp threw on Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Konate.
West Ham’s night got worse in the 71st minute.
More Soucek dallying and another long range hit, this time by Gakpo with stunning precision, before an equally fine hit by Bowen at the other end eight minutes later.
Yet Liverpool were keen to make up for missed chances against United.
Read more on The Sun
After missing an open-goal sitter, Salah got in on the act thanks to an Alexander-Arnold tee-up in the 82nd minute.
Less than two minutes later, Jones had his second, and Liverpool’s last of a superb night, even if West Ham’s disastrous backline had all but given up at this point.
The Egyptian already has 15 goals in all competitions this seasonCredit: Getty More

EDDIE HOWE could not make the substitutions he wanted to against Chelsea, according to Shay Given.The Newcastle legend pinpointed two players the Magpies boss will have wanted to withdraw in their Carabao Cup exit on Tuesday.
Eddie Howe could not make the subs he wanted, according to Shay GivenCredit: Rex
His former club were dumped out on penalties at Stamford Bridge after conceding a stoppage time equaliser.
Having faded during the second half, Given was asked on Sky Sports if he thought Newcastle ran out of steam.
He agreed as he responded: “Possibly, you look at Chelsea’s bench then you look at Newcastle’s bench. I think there were two keepers.
“I know Matt Ritchie is more of an attacking player but the rest are fullbacks.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
“You look at Almiron at times, maybe even Wilson, and you want to take them off for 20 minutes. Give them a bit of fresh impetus up top to get them higher up the pitch. But they couldn’t do that.
“You have to feel for Eddie and his staff because he’s got to trust the 10 that’s out there.”
Howe, who named just eight subs out of the permitted nine, made three changes during the match.
Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn replaced Sven Botman and the injured Emil Krafth at half-time.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Anthony Gordon was then forced off just seven minutes later, with Matt Ritchie coming on in his place.
The remainder of his bench consisted of goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and Loris Karius, centre-back Paul Dummett and teenage defenders Alex Murphy and Lewis Hall.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino was able to use all five of his alterations, including the introduction of goalscorer Mykhailo Mudryk.
Krafth and Gordon’s injuries are the latest in a growing list of blows to Howe’s squad.
Newcastle now have 12 players sidelined in addition to Sandro Tonali’s season-ending suspension.
The Magpies are also now out of both the Carabao Cup and Europe ahead of their return to league action this weekend.
Howe will hope to snap their poor away streak and pick up a first league win on the road since September 24 at Luton on Saturday.
Howe could only name eight subs against Chelsea, including two goalkeepersCredit: Rex More

CHELSEA fans have been delighting in Djordje Petrovic’s mind games after the little-known goalkeeper’s heroics against Newcastle.The Blues advanced to the Carabao Cup semi-final draw after a dramatic comeback to beat the Magpies on penalties last night.
Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic celebrates after securing a semi spotCredit: PA
The Serbian saved the crucial spot-kick from Matt RitchieCredit: AP
Petrovic was spotted pointing to his right as Matt Ritchie ran upCredit: bein sports
He then dived high to his left after Ritchie fired his effort that wayCredit: bein sports
Callum Wilson’s 16th-minute strike looked to be enough to send Newcastle into the last four before Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on Kieran Trippier’s error deep in stoppage time to send the game to the spot-kick lottery.
Toon’s 33-year-old England international full-back then fired their second penalty wide in the shootout.
And after Chelsea had converted each of their kicks, Petrovic made himself the new hero of Stamford Bridge by saving Matt Ritchie’s effort to advance into the semis.
The 24-year-old Serbian ‘keeper signed a seven-year deal after joining the Blues from MLS club New England Revolution in August.
READ MORE ON CHELSEA
And after waiting for his opportunity, he has started the last three matches after the injury to regular No.1 Robert Sanchez.
He played in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at Everton before keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United at the weekend.
Now he appears to be a firm fan favourite after his exploits ahead of his crucial penalty save from Ritchie were spotted.
Just as the winger was preparing to run up, Petrovic was spotted pointing to his right, indicating to Ritchie he knew he was going to go that way.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
However, the ex-Bournemouth man rifled his left-footed effort high in the opposite direction, and with the goalie also lunging that way, the stopper produced a great save.
“Just look at the mind games from Chelsea GK Djordje Petrovic before making the match-winning penalty save against Newcastle,” highlighted one account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another wrote: “You can just tell that Petrovic is going to have an amazing career at Chelsea — we only paid £14m for him too, what a bargain.”
A third commented: “High pens are tough to stop. This guy is really good.
“Djordje Petrovic is a very good goalkeeper.”
While another declared that he was “my new Blue hero”.
However, Petrovic’s penalty save came as no shock to one supporter.
Another one added: “Petrovic had saved five penalties in 48 matches with the New England Revolution. No surprise he came up big for Chelsea.” More

A FAN ran on to the pitch and confronted Martin Dubravka in shocking scenes at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on Kieran Trippier’s blunder to slot in a 92nd-minute equaliser in the Carabao Cup quarter-final after Callum Wilson’s opener.
A fan goaded Martin Dubravka after the Chelsea equaliserCredit: Alamy
The supporter was swiftly removed from the pitchCredit: Alamy
That prompted wild scenes in West London as supporters celebrated their side grabbing a draw – prompting a penalty shootout.
But in the aftermath of the goal, one idiot inexplicably jumped over the advertising hoardings at the front of the Matthew Harding Stand which houses home fans.
After breaking free from the clutches of a steward, he then went up to Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka and clashed with the Slovakian, goading him by celebrating in his face.
The man bumped into the shot-stopper before immediately turning and running back past the steward and into the home end.
READ MORE ON CHELSEA
Play was able to resume quickly as tensions boiled over at the end of the game.
There was another flashpoint in injury time as Bruno Guimaraes put in a wild tackle on Ian Maatsen – before Mudryk furiously ran in and appeared to grab the Toon midfielder by the throat.
Referee Jarred Gillett blew for full-time moments later, taking the game to penalties.
But before the shootout got underway, the official was filmed in deep conversation with stewards – although it is unclear if that was related to the supporter incident.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
The penalties were then taken in front of the Shed End where the travelling Newcastle supporters were.
Chelsea scored all four of their spot-kicks while Trippier missed before Dorde Petrovic made a flying save to deny Matt Ritchie and seal victory for the Blues.
It means Mauricio Pochettino’s side are into the semi-finals – as are Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough and Fulham.
The Cottagers also needed penalties to get past Everton at Goodison Park, helped by a woeful effort by Amadou Onana, to reach the last four of the League Cup for the very first time.
But Sky Sports News viewers were left furious with the broadcaster when the channel suddenly cut to a commercial breaking DURING the shootout – and then returned once it was all over.
The fourth quarter-final between Liverpool and West Ham takes place at Anfield tomorrow night.
Mykhailo Mudryk capitalised on Kieran Trippier’s error to equaliseCredit: Reuters
Djordje Petrovic produced a flying save to send Chelsea into the semisCredit: Getty More

FROM GOING nowhere fast to one step from Wembley in the blink of an eye.Chelsea’s billionaire kids club produced the kind of stunning turnaround and sudden show of strength that has not only kept a large part of the season alive, it may just have awakened the beast in Blue after two years of slumber.
Mykhailo Mudryk scored a last-minute equaliserCredit: AP
Kieran Trippier had a night to forget as he missed a penalty in the shoot-out and gifted Chelsea their goalCredit: Reuters
Djordje Petrović saved Matt Ritchie’s penalty to send Chelsea throughCredit: EPA
Benoit Badisahile miscontrolled the ball to allow Callum Wilson to scoreCredit: Getty
Mauricio Pochettino’s raw team was 90-odd seconds from being knocked out of the Carabao Cup on their own ground after one of the worst shows of defending imaginable.
But then thanks to an equally hopeless lack of control from the opposition, combined with a fat injection of aggression and adrenaline, they are now into the semi-final.
Chelsea’s £62 million Ukrainian enigma Mykhailo Mudryk has raised more questions than he has answered with his performances since joining from Shakhtar Donetsk in January this year.
Even last night, it wasn’t just his equalising goal that will stand out for Chelsea’s equally relieved and jubilant fans this morning.
READ MORE CHELSEA
It was seconds after when he grabbed Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes firmly round the neck in a heated reaction to a brutal challenge by the Brazilian on his team-mate Ian Maatsen.
It’s the first sign of life from the introverted Eastern European who has been hiding within himself for almost a year at Stamford Bridge.
That instinctive act of camaraderie may just be the trigger needed to revive that dozing Chelsea fighting spirit that once made this team so formidable.
From looking at an undignified exit in a second-rate competition, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad took the occasion by the jugular and made sure they emerged triumphant from a cracking cup tie.
Most read in Football
Newcastle were dead on their feet long before Trippier’s late cock up sent a pulsating match to penalties.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
But the hugely experienced full-back had only played one half after coming off the bench.
Even so, he was shaken enough by Chelsea’s overwhelming late show of force to miss from the spot with the Stamford Bridge stands also shaking from the vibrations of a packed house.
With the pressure then firmly on the visitors to score and stay in the tie, Matt Ritchie’s effort was saved by reserve Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic, who pushed the ball wide then punched the air in delight right in front of 5,000 shellshocked Geordies who had just seen their own little dreams of history evaporate in seconds.
Wilson’s ungainly goal looked to have put them on course for a first win here since 2012 against relentless pressure after half-time anyway.
A three-way mix-up between 39-year-old Thiago Silva, British-record £115 million midfielder Moises Caicedo and ambitious young France international Benoit Badiashile, a classic comedy caper of how not to defend.
There was no way Wilson should have got anywhere near the Chelsea goal in the 16th minute but he just kept on blundering along and eventually a calamitous touch from Badiashile allowed him the chance to curl home a shot – the finish a stark contrast to the build up.
Blues chief Pochettino did admit his team is its own worst enemy 24 hours before the game but nobody expected his players to take him at his word.
But with so many injuries, suspensions and old codgers on the pitch last night, there was a calamity waiting around every corner.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea have now joined the growing list of casualties from the Carabao Cup crocks derby.
Caicedo was lucky there is no VAR at this stage of the Carabao Cup. Ref Jarred Gillett overlooked his bruising trample on Toon right back Emil Krafth.
Both teams were in it for the fight – and sadly, so were some of the fans. A supporter jumped out of the Matthew Harding Stand to confront Newcastle’s stand-in keeper Martin Dubravka following Mudryk’s leveller one minute and 21 seconds into three of added time.
The Carabao Cup is worth way more to Chelsea this year than Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s team have just been dumped out of the Champions League but have eyes on a top four finish and an instant return next season.
Fledgling Chelsea are nowhere near Europe but appreciate that this tournament offers a way into the Europa League when consistency in the league can’t be relied upon.
Read more on The Sun
It was with that in mind that Pochettino changed things up and sent on Malo Gusto for the second half and the attacking-minded right back was on hand to cross deep into the Newcastle box during one final push for a goal.
Trippier’s lapse in focus saw the ball spin free and misfit Mudryk stopped overthinking and just pounced to lash home a shot that triggered the massive turnaround on the night and maybe for the future too. More