Carabao Cup

TOTTENHAM’S Carabao Cup tie with Leyton Orient is OFF after the O’s squad was hit by a ‘number’ of positive coronavirus tests.
The League Two side were set to host Jose Mourinho’s men in the third round on Tuesday night.

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Leyton Orient’s game with Tottenham is off after a number of first-team players tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But Tottenham have been told the match, supposed to kick off at 6pm in front of the Sky Sports cameras, will not go ahead tonight.
It is not yet clear whether the clash will be postponed to a later date.
A statement read: “Tonight’s Carabao Cup match between Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur is not taking place this evening as scheduled.
“Discussions are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders in regards to the implications of the fixture not taking place tonight and a further update will be provided in due course.

“Leyton Orient, the EFL and the relevant authorities are conducting a thorough review of the club’s Covid-19 secure procedures with the view to reopening the stadium and training ground as soon as possible.”
The chockablock football calendar, including Tottenham’s Europa League commitments, means there is no realistic way to squeeze a rearranged tie in especially with round four scheduled for next week.
Spurs or Orient will face either Chelsea or Barnsley at home in the Carabao Cup fourth round with that match taking place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Orient’s chairman Nigel Travis earlier told talkSPORT: “The game is a postponement, not a cancellation.”

He added: “We have talked to the EFL and we are assuming this is a postponement
“We’re going to lose £2.5million this year, also anything that can help us reduce that loss is clearly important. We are struggling so games like this have to take place.
“We have a great relationship with Spurs, we’ve looked at their fixtures and this game can be played. There has to be a will, because this game is worth £150,000 profit to us, so we have to play this game.
“I recognise the guidelines and we have spoken to the league about extenuating circumstances. I can assure you, we will not be the first club facing this this year. Even Man City had a player test positive recently.”
Leyton Orient confirmed on Monday that their Breyer Group Stadium and training ground had been closed as a result of the positive tests.
SunSport understands up to 18 players and staff contracted the virus.
Despite the serious circumstances, Mourinho will be relieved to get an extra few days between matches and Spurs face a hectic fixture list.

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The decision means Spurs have an extra few days of recovery between their matches in the busy scheduleCredit: AFP or licensors

They were due to have SIX matches in just 13 days between September 13 and September 27.
That included four in the space of eight days.
Tottenham beat Southampton 5-2 on Sunday, were due to play at Orient then have a Europa League qualifier against Shkendija in Macedonia two days later on Thursday before returning to Premier League action to face Newcastle on Sunday.

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TOTTENHAM’S Carabao Cup clash looks set to be called OFF after virtually all of Leyton Orient’s squad tested positive for Covid-19.
SunSport understands up to 18 players and staff at League Two O’s recorded positive tests ahead of the Tuesday evening game.

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Tottenham and Leyton Orient are expected to discover what will happen regarding their Carabao Cup clash in the morningCredit: Getty Images – Getty

If the third-round tie is cancelled in the morning, Spurs will receive a bye and Orient will miss out on a £100,000 windfall with the game due to be televised on Sky Sports.
With the O’s first team in self-isolation, they even suggested fielding their youth outfit against Jose Mourinho’s side because the kids have not been in contact with the first team.
It is believed Spurs are not happy with that prospect amid fears of the risk of infection just days ahead of a Europa League tie.
SunSport approached Orient for comment tonight but the final decision rests with Public Health England.

Health specialists, worried by the coronavirus spike in the UK, have to determine if the outbreak is serious enough to order Orient’s Breyer Group Stadium and training ground to be deep cleaned and order all staff into quarantine.
The EFL have been working with the clubs to find a resolution, with Spurs showing their support for their neighbours.
But with zero space left in a congested fixture programme there are no possible dates for the game to be rescheduled.
The news vindicated Tottenham’s decision to stump up £5,000 for the O’s squad to undergo tests at the weekend.

EFL rules have been relaxed this season which mean clubs only had to test on their return to pre-season training and again halfway through the campaign — the Prem test twice a week.
Plymouth and Mansfield played Orient over the last week and ordered their squads and staff to undergo tests.
Should the game be called off it would be the first match to fall victim to Covid-19 since lockdown.
Meanwhile, Gareth Bale’s desire to make his second return at Tottenham could accelerate his injury comeback.
The Welsh star, 31, who sustained a knee injury against Bulgaria earlier this month, is not due to be fit until after the October internationals.
But boss Mourinho said: “The motivation is high. And when a player has this motivation you can shorten the period of recovering and period of getting fit.”

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IT turned out to be quite a night for Brighton’s rampant B-Team as they unleashed their A-game to see off Pompey and head into the Carabao Cup third round.
There were no survivors in the Seagulls’ starting line-up from their defeat to Chelsea on Monday.

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Brighton ran out rampant 4-0 winners against Portsmouth

Boss Graham Potter had urged his fringe players to go and earn a regular spot to face Newcastle on Sunday.
And they did just that to book an away tie with Preston next week.
It was Alexis Mac Allister who fired the hosts ahead with his first goal in English football on 38 minutes.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh whipped in the cross to the young Argentinian – who launched a bullet header beyond the despairing dive of Craig MacGillvray.

However, Brighton were let off when the flag went up after Marcus Harness bundled in a John Marquis cross. 
After the break, Jahanbakhsh unleashed an unstoppable 54th minute thunderbolt past MacGillvray.
The visitors were made to pay and just THREE minutes later, Pascal Gross whipped in a corner to Bernardo, who rose highest to head home his first goal in a Seagulls shirt.

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Alexis Mac Allister fired the hosts ahead with his first goal in English football on 38 minutes

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Alireza Jahanbakhsh unleashed an unstoppable 54th minute thunderbolt past Craig MacGillvray

The Brazilian sparred his blushes, having been left with regret for scuppering a huge chance early on.

MacGillvray had palmed a fierce drive from Victor Gyokeres straight into the defender’s path – but he blazed his attempt hopelessly high.
But the Seagulls were flying when Swedish youngster Gyokeres sealed the deal after turning smartly to rifle beyond MacGillvray on 70 minutes – with his first senior goal for the club.

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