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    Is EFL Carabao Cup semi-final one leg or two? VAR update and full rules for 2020/21 tournament

    THE CARABAO CUP is now down to the final four.
    Man Utd take on Man City in a huge Manchester derby while Brentford face Tottenham, but what are EFL Cup semi-final rules?

    Man Utd take on Man City in the EFL Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Is the Carabao Cup semi-final one leg or two?

    The Carabao Cup semi-final has traditionally been two legs, although the rules have been changed in recent years.
    Away goals were previously used after extra time to separate two sides if they happened to be level after two legs.
    But that was done away with when the EFL scrapped extra time, meaning any ties that were level were decided on penalties.
    And this year’s Carabao Cup semi-final will consist of just one leg in order to ease fixture congestion caused by the delayed start to the season and the Covid pandemic.

    Whichever team is drawn first in each tie will play at home.
    Teams will be able to make five substitutions per match from the semi-final stage.

    Does the Carabao Cup have VAR?
    VAR will be used in the competition now from the semi-finals and final.
    Up to this round it was not used in the tournament.

    Which teams are in the Carabao Cup semi-final?
    Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur (Tuesday, Jan 5)
    Manchester United vs Manchester City (Weds, Jan 6) More

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    Do EFL Carabao Cup semi-finals have extra time or penalties after 90 minutes if they finish in a draw?

    THE Carabao Cup is back this week with two massive final-four clashes. 
    This season’s tournament is nearing it’s conclusion with just the semi finals to go, but what happens if games are all square after 90 minutes?

    Man City have won the last THREE League Cups in a rowCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Do EFL Cup ties go to extra time or straight to penalties?

    So far this season, every EFL Cup tie has gone straight to penalties after 90 minutes if a draw.
    That WON’T be the case at the semi final stage.
    If either of the final four matches end in a stalemate, 30 minutes of extra-time will be played before a penalty shootout if the match stays level.
    Replays have been scrapped for the entire tournament – and the FA Cup has even followed suit. 

    What are the EFL Cup semi fixtures?
    Tuesday, January 5

    Tottenham vs Brentford (7.45pm)
    Wednesday, January 6
    Man Utd vs Man City (7.45pm)
    When is the EFL Cup final?
    The EFL Cup final has been moved from February 28 to Sunday April 25, 2021.
    This decision has been made in a bid to have as many fans as possible attend the Wembley showdown which will kick off at 4pm.
    In a statement, the EFL said: “This season’s Carabao Cup final has been rescheduled and will now take place on Sunday 25 April 2021, with a 4pm kick-off.
    “It is the objective of the League to stage the final with as many supporters in attendance as possible.
    “And the decision has therefore been taken to move the final from its original date of Sunday February 28, 2021 to later in the year.
    “The number of fans permitted will be dependent on Government guidance in place at the time.
    “And it is hoped that moving the date to later in the year will give clubs and their fans the best opportunity to attend in person.
    “The competition is set to continue this week, with the quarter-finals to be played across Tuesday December 22 and Wednesday December 23, with all four games live on Sky Sports.” More

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    Tottenham vs Brentford: Live stream, TV channel, team news, kick-off time for huge EFL Cup semi-final TONIGHT

    TOTTENHAM face Brentford in their EFL Cup semi-final tonight as Jose Mourinho hunts the club’s first trophy since 2008.
    Spurs beat Stoke to reach the final-four while Brentford overcame Newcastle as the Bees look to stun another Premier League side.

    Brentford beat Newcastle in their quarter-final to set up a game with SpursCredit: AP:Associated Press
    What time does Tottenham vs Brentford kick-off?
    Tottenham’s semi-final clash with Brentford will kick-off at 7.45pm UK time on January 5 2021.
    The game will be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    There will be no supporters in attendance because London is in tier 4 of the government’s coronavirus restrictions.
    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
    The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
    Both games are available for live streaming from the Sky Go or NOW TV apps, which can be downloaded onto your mobile or tablet device.
    You can also catch all the action from a Smart TV, so long as it carries NOW TV.

    Team news

    Deli Alli could feature for Spurs as Jose Mourinho looks to ensure their safe passage to the final.
    Giovani Lo Celso and Gareth Bale are out with injury, while Matt Doherty is suspended.
    Brentford have no new injury concerns ahead of the game, with Sergi Canos set to start.
    Odds
    Tottenham – 4/9

    Draw – 17/5
    Brentford – 6/1
    *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

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    Is EFL Carabao Cup semi-final one leg or two? Full rules for 2020/21 competition

    THE CARABAO CUP is now down to the final four.
    Man Utd take on Man City in a huge Manchester derby while Brentford face Tottenham, but what are EFL Cup semi-final rules?

    Man Utd take on Man City in the EFL Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Is the Carabao Cup semi-final one leg or two?

    The Carabao Cup semi-final has traditionally been two legs, although the rules have been changed in recent years.
    Away goals were previously used after extra time to separate two sides if they happened to be level after two legs.
    But that was done away with when the EFL scrapped extra time, meaning any ties that were level were decided on penalties.
    And this year’s Carabao Cup semi-final will consist of just one leg in order to ease fixture congestion caused by the delayed start to the season and the Covid pandemic.

    Whichever team is drawn first in each tie will play at home.

    Does the Carabao Cup have VAR?
    The Carabao Cup does not have VAR – the only competition Premier League sides participate in in which this is the case.
    The tournament is organised by the EFL who have chosen not to introduce it at any level.
    Which teams are in the Carabao Cup semi-final?
    Manchester United vs Manchester City
    Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur
    Matches to be played the week of January 4, 2021 More

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    Solskjaer insists Man Utd are ready to shake off semi-final jinx ahead of EFL Cup showdown against City

    OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER insists Manchester United are ready to shake off their semi-final jinx.
    The Red Devils lost in three last season including a two-legged EFL Cup tie with Manchester City.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Man Utd are ready to end their semi-final jinxCredit: Getty

    United were dumped out of the Carabao Cup last season by City in the semisCredit: Getty Images

    They face their neighbours again at the same stage of the competition tomorrow night but this time in a one-off game at Old Trafford.
    And Solskjaer said: “We’ve improved immensely in a year since that last semi and since we were in the Europa League semi in August.
    “We’ve earned the right to go all the way with our performances. We are confident with our form, so no excuses.
    “We have prepared well, the squad is focused and ready to give it a go.”

    It was last January when they went out to City over two legs then in July they lost 3-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup last four and to Sevilla in the Europa League the following month one hurdle short of a final appearance.
    Just getting to those semi-finals showed how far Solskjaer had come with his team, but also how far they had to go.
    He knows from experience what it means for a side to take the next step and get to a final and hold a trophy.
    He said: “Of course, you play football to win trophies, to get your hands on a trophy.

    “For this team it would be a very, very big step, getting our hands on a trophy,
    “When you get to a semi you’ve done a lot of good work to get there and you play better and better opposition. But it’s about fine margins in those semi-finals as well.”
    United face a City side who destroyed Chelsea with their best performance of the season so far in winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
    Solskjaer believes they had benefited from their game away to Everton being called off due to Covid, giving them an extra few days of rest.
    He said: “With City against Chelsea, you could see the freshness and sharpness and intensity they had.
    “It was a quality game physically, one of the most intense games in the league this season.
    “And it’s no surprise there because they had a few extra days to prepare.”
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    When United hosted City in the league on December 12 it was a dull goalless cagey affair.
    For Solskjaer it was evidence of the level of respect they had for each other.
    “But he also believes there has been a change of style from City who he thinks sit back and counter attack more now.
    He said:“They were not as possession based against Chelsea, more counter attacking, we’ve got to be aware of that.”
    It will be United’s first game since a new national lockdown was announced and Solskjaer says it is important that football keeps going to give people some relief at these difficult times.
    He said: “Since March of last year until now, it has been a testing time for everyone.
    “We are privileged to play football under protocols and hopefully we can continue.
    “Mentally for many it is a release to watch games now we are in full lockdown again, hopefully we can continue, but we have to work hard to stay in the guidelines and keep the show on the road.”
    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

    Solskjaer to hold transfer talks with Man Utd fringe stars over January plans with up to six players set to be axed More

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    Carabao Cup rule change confirmed with five subs allowed for Man Utd and Co… but NOT sixth if it goes to extra time

    CARABAO CUP semi-final teams will be allowed five substitutions – but not a sixth if the game goes to extra-time.
    EFL bosses confirmed the change in regulations when the last four begins as Tottenham take on Brentford on Tuesday night.

    Carabao Cup semi-final teams can now make FIVE subs across three opportunitiesCredit: PA:Press Association

    Manchester United face neighbours City in the other semi on Wednesday.
    Teams will now be able to make five subs across a maximum of THREE opportunities.
    Ties will now go to extra-time – rather than straight to penalties as it had been during the earlier stages – where applicable.
    How many subs can teams make in the Carabao Cup and what happens in extra time?
    Teams will NOT be granted an additional, sixth sub for the extra half an hour.

    The EFL decision will meet the approval of Etihad boss Pep Guardiola.
    A league spokesman explained: “The EFL has agreed to increase the number of substitutes permitted to be used in this season’s Carabao Cup semi-finals and final.
    “Following consultation with the four clubs remaining in the competition, nine substitutes can now be named in the matchday squad.
    “Five [are] permitted to take to the pitch during the 90 minutes and extra time if applicable. 

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    “Each team is only permitted a maximum of three opportunities (excluding half-time, full-time and half-time of extra-time) to make substitutions during normal time.  
    “However, if a tie goes to extra time, an additional opportunity to use a substitute(s) will also be permitted but only from the five substitutes allowed.”
    How many subs could teams make prior to the Carabao Cup semi-finals?
    Until this stage, ties had gone straight to penalties after 90 minutes.
    Spurs – who eliminated Chelsea – are among the shoot-out winners.
    However, the rules had already confirmed that extra-time would be available for the semi-finals and final if needed.

    Solskjaer to hold transfer talks with Man Utd fringe stars over January plans with up to six players set to be axed More

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    Tottenham vs Brentford: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for big EFL semi-final

    TOTTENHAM take on Brentford in their EFL Cup semi-finals as Jose Mourinho hunts the club’s first trophy since 2008.
    Spurs beat Stoke while Brentford overcame Newcastle in their respective quarter-final match-ups.

    Brentford beat Newcastle in their quarter-final to set up a game with SpursCredit: AP:Associated Press
    What time does Tottenham vs Brentford kick-off?
    Tottenham’s semi-final clash with Brentford will kick-off at 7.45pm UK time on January 5 2021.
    The game will be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    There will be no supporters in attendance because London is in tier 4 of the government’s coronavirus restrictions.
    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
    The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
    Both games are available for live streaming from the Sky Go or NOW TV apps, which can be downloaded onto your mobile or tablet device.
    You can also catch all the action from a Smart TV, so long as it carries NOW TV.

    Team news

    Deli Alli could feature for Spurs as Jose Mourinho looks to ensure their safe passage to the final.
    Giovani Lo Celso and Gareth Bale are out with injury, while Matt Doherty is suspended.
    Brentford have no new injury concerns ahead of the game, with Sergi Canos set to start.
    Odds
    Tottenham – 4/9

    Draw – 17/5
    Brentford – 6/1
    *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

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    Jose Mourinho claims Tottenham clash with Brentford in Carabao Cup semi-final is biggest game of his reign so far

    JOSE MOURINHO says the Carabao Cup semi against Brentford is the biggest game of Tottenham reign so far.
    Spurs host the Championship Bees in a one-legged showdown as they look to end their 13-year trophy drought.

    Jose Mourinho has been in charge of Tottenham since November 2019Credit: Reuters

    Asked if Tuesday’s game is his most important match since taking over as boss 14 months ago, Mourinho said: “Yes, I think so.
    “In the perspective of the club chasing silverware for many years, I would say so.
    “Of course we always have important matches.
    “Last season we had a match at Palace that would give us participation in this season’s Europa League or not.

    “The match against Leeds on Saturday was also very important as we went a few games without a victory in the Premier League.
    “But I would say a semi-final is always a very important match – the only one more important is a final.”
    Tottenham have not lifted trophy since beating Chelsea 2-1 in extra time in the final of this competition at Wembley in 2008.
    Spurs’ last FA Cup triumph was in 1991 while you have to go back all the way to 1961 for the last time they were crowned top flight champs – although they did win the Uefa Cup in 1984.

    Tottenham thumped Leeds United 3-0 at the weekendCredit: AP:Associated Press

    The Carabao Cup is much maligned, but Mourinho hopes lifting it this season could lead to his club winning more silverware.
    He said: “For me every competition is important.
    “I won the this competition when it was the Carling Cup in my first season at Chelsea after a few months in England in 2004/05.
    “So for me every competition is different and it doesn’t matter the club where you are or the ambitions you have, every competition is important.
    “That is my way of looking at things, especially at a club without silverware for more than one decade.
    “After more than one decade, every competition becomes more important and if we win two matches we win a trophy.
    “Two difficult matches, of course, but if we win them we get a trophy which I think would be a very good thing for the club and for the players.”

    Mourinho’s reaction to Lamela’s Christmas party More