Carabao Cup

JOSE MOURINHO was furious with Dele Alli after he wasted his chance to impress for Tottenham.
The Spurs boss saw his team reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals but was annoyed out-of-favour Dele gave away possession for Stoke’s leveller.

Dele Alli failed to impress on a rare start for Spurs in the win at StokeCredit: AP:Associated Press

Jose Mourinho admitted he was left angry with the England midfielderCredit: AFP or licensors

Asked if was angry with the midfielder, Mourinho said: “Yes. A player who plays in that position is a player who has to link and has to create and not create problems for his own team.
“Of course in that situation, it handed them a counter attack behind our defenders.
“They caught us and it transformed the game that was totally in our hands so yes, I was upset.”
Alli’s Spurs future now looks doomed and he did not even make the matchday squad for Sunday’s loss to Leicester. Just 13 minutes after his mistake, Alli was replaced by Erik Lamela.

Meanwhile, Mourinho was left frustrated after Gareth Bale asked to come off at half-time with an injury after scoring the opening goal. Although Stoke made it 1-1, goals from Ben Davies and Harry Kane put Spurs through.
Quizzed about Bale, Mourinho said: “Yes. It was his decision. He felt something at the end of the first half.
“He did not want to come off before the first half so he stayed but while he was walking to the dressing rooms he told me immediately he could not come out for the second half.
”I think it was his calf. I am not sure. At that time, I wanted to reorganise the team.”

A player who plays in that position is a player who has to link and has to create and not create problems for his own team
Jose Mourinho on Dele Alli

Spurs deserved to go through with Mourinho having won the League Cup on four occasions.
He added: “They did not touch the ball in the first half, have a shot or have a corner.
“We needed to kill the game but instead, we allowed them to score for 1-1.
“After that was a moment we needed stability and attitude and we had it. I thought the second goal was coming. Son also scored a goal that VAR would have allowed.”

Spurs midfielder Harry Winks said: “We knew coming into this one that it would be a cold, wet and windy Wednesday night in Stoke so it would be tough but when we apply ourselves and we are aggressive from the first whistle, we make it easier for ourselves.”
Stoke boss Michael O’Neill said: “We expected Spurs to come with a strong team. Maybe not just as strong as they started with.
“In the first half we were too timid and did not affect the game as near as we had hoped but we were more positive in the second half but Spurs showed their class.”

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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER can do no wrong – as long as his team are playing away from Old Trafford against domestic opposition.
The United manager was able to make nine changes, and still field a powerful team that never looked like slipping to a first away defeat since January – if you do not count their dismal Champions League campaign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is within touching distance of winning a first trophy as Manchester United managerCredit: EPA

Solskjaer insisted United see this competition as a great chance to win some silverware for the first time since 2017, when they won the Carabao Cup and the Europa League.
And he admitted the pressure is on to start winning trophies again, although at first sight his decision to dispense with nine of the players who started the 6-2 demolition of Leeds did not suggest he felt this competition was THAT important.
But despite their up and down results this season, United have a big squad, packed with classy performers.
And in Edinson Cavani, they have brought in another match-winner. His brilliant 88th minute strike settled this quarter-final, with substitute Anthony Martial’s stoppage tie second early a bit of icing on the cake.

There were clear signs Everton were still haunted by memories of last month’s 3-1 Goodison Park defeat against Solskjaer’s side as they backed off and let United dictate the pace right from the start.

Nineteen attempts on goal compared to just seven from the home team told its own story.
Maybe the Toffees had also taken a look at that incredible away run since January, and decided their best bet was to hit United on the break.
Instead, they made the fatal mistake of allowing their much-changed opponents to settle. And United were worthy winners.

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EDINSON CAVANI proved the late hero for Manchester United as he fired them into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Uruguayan fired home in the closing stage before a stoppage-time strike from Anthony Martial helped the Red Devils see off Everton 2-0.

Edinson Cavani lashed home late on as Manchester United beat EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Here’s how SunSport’s David Facey rated each United player on the night.
DEAN HENDERSON – 6/10
Not really tested too often, but well positioned to deal with Sigurdsson’s curling free kick.
Got his angles right again when Sigurdsson hit another one through a tight group of players.
AXEL TUANZEBE – 5
Not as keen to get forward on the overlap as Telles, and a couple of needless fouls eased the early pressure on Everton.

Has to show more if he wants to be anything more than fringe player.
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HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
One of only two men retained from the thumping win over Leeds, which sums up how important he has become to United.
Handled the aerial threat of Calvert-Lewin in typical no-nonsense fashion.

ERIC BAILLY – 6
Confident and accomplished at bringing the ball out of defence, and couple of good passes to feet during United’s early dominance.
Sucked in a bit too easily when Everton started asking a few questions of the United defence.
ALEX TELLES – 6
Some outstanding deliveries as United won plenty of early corners, and always eager to join in the attack.
Not quite as assured when he was backpedalling, but a good shift overall.

Anthony Martial emerged from the bench to seal the resultCredit: Reuters
PAUL POGBA – 6
Ok, but you’re entitled to expect more from a player of his stature. Hit and miss with those long, diagonal balls.
Looked surprised when a Telles corner reached him on the far post, and failed to get any power in his header.
NEMANJA MATIC – 7
Read the game as expertly as ever, and hard to remember him missing his target with a single pass.
But it would be good to see him trying his luck a bit further upfield.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK – 5
The Dutchman is a willing runner, but has shown precious little when he is in possession.
Ran into a few blind alleys, and no surprise to see him hooked midway through the second half.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Everything United do these days seems to revolved around the Portugese playmaker, and it was no different here.
Simply oozes class, but left his shooting boots at home for once. Solskjaer has to be careful not to overwork him.

Cavani proved the bright spark for United at Goodison ParkCredit: Reuters
MASON GREENWOOD – 5
Good chance to prosper against a makeshift full back in Godfrey, but did not really make the most of it. Looked to win free kicks rather than get crosses in.
Unlucky when his glancing header grazed the outside of the post in the first half.
EDINSON CAVANI – 8
Really lively early on, and never afraid to pull the trigger, even from tight angles. And brilliant finish for his late, late goal.
Lucky to avoid punishment for instigating an off the ball tussle with Mina.
Subs
Marcus Rashford (For Greenwood 67 mins) – 6
Sent on to push for a winner and looked lively in the closing minutes.

Anthony Martial (For VDB 67 mins) – 7
Fell over his own feet when played in by Fernandes late on. Then settled it.
Luke Shaw (For Telles 84 mins) – 5

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