Carabao Cup round-up: Liverpool win on Penalties, Tottenham and Chelsea Also Advance
Liverpool 3 Leicester 3 (Liverpool win 5-4 on penalties)
Second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhn Kelleher saved two penalties as Liverpool defeated Leicester 5-4 in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Diogo Jota scored the winning penalty kick, but Takumi Minamino made it 3-3 with seconds left in the extra six minutes.
The visitors fell after twice cruising into a two-goal lead thanks to Jamie Vardy’s ninth and tenth goals in 14 games against the under-strength Reds.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it 2-1 before James Maddison scored the winner.
However, the introduction of first-team reinforcements in the second half forced a shoot-out as Jota and League Cup specialist Minamino scored six goals in five appearances to force the shoot-out.
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Brentford 0 Chelsea 2
A 2-0 victory against Brentford thanks to an own goal and a Jorginho penalty.
The Blues were still suffering from Covid-19, so Thomas Tuchel gave debuts to Harvey Vale, Jude Soonsup-Bell, and Xavier Simons.
But it was N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Mason Mount, and Jorginho who won it for Chelsea.
Pontus Jansson’s own goal broke the tie, and Jorginho scored the winning penalty.
After his first cross was blocked, Rico Henry brought the ball back to Bryan Mbeumo, whose cross hit the head of Yoane Wissa, but Kepa Arrizabalaga made a fantastic reaction save.
England U19 striker Soonsup-Bell found space between the Brentford defense and his left-wing cross reached Ross Barkley, but his shot went wide.
Cesar Azpilicueta volleyed Marcos Alonso’s cross over the crossbar moments later.
Kepa saved heroically at the feet of the rampaging Henry before youngster Simons forced the opening save from Alvaro Fernandez with a shot from the outskirts of the box.
Vale, left alone in the area just before half-time, headed Azpilicueta’s cross straight at Fernandez.
During the second quarter, Saul’s cross was deflected by defender Mads Bech Sorensen and threatened to sneak inside the far post.
It took roughly an hour for Chelsea’s kids to go, while Thomas Frank turned to freshly recover Covid Ivan Toney.
But it was Kante, who Tuchel had said would not play, who ignited Chelsea’s opening.
The midfielder slipped in James, whose cross was bundled into his own goal by Jansson.
After Mount was awkwardly tripped by Fernandez, Jorginho scored Chelsea’s second.
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Tottenham 2 West Ham 1
With a 2-0 win against West Ham, Tottenham moved into the Carabao Cup semi-finals under new coach Antonio Conte.
When Lucas Moura equalized after Jarrod Bowen had equalized, Spurs were up 2-1.
Tottenham’s fifth victory under new coach Mauricio Pochettino helped them move closer to breaking their trophy drought that started in
Spurs resorted to their customary 3-4-3 shape under Conte, who made six changes from Sunday’s draw with Liverpool.
Recalled for his first start in over two months, Bergwijn looked rusty early on, but his teammates collaborated after 12 minutes to create the first opportunity.
West Ham’s backup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola stopped a left-footed attempt from Moura.
Hugo Lloris had to parry a Bowen free-kick before the London derby got underway.
With a clever ball towards Bergwijn, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg set up the 29th-minute goal.
Soucek twice tested Lloris, who made two fantastic finger-tip stops in short succession.
After 32 minutes, Bowen leveled the score, leaving Spurs captain Danny Rose vulnerable again
Former Hull striker Bowen scored his fifth goal of the season after Manuel Lanzini’s attempt was saved by Eric Dier.
The confident Bergwijn slipped past Lanzini and squared for Moura to thump home from close range to end the first half.
Following his team’s second goal, Lucas Moura celebrates alongside Harry Kane and Sergio Reguilon. /Getty Images/ Shaun Botterill
Following his team’s second goal, Lucas Moura celebrates alongside Harry Kane and Sergio Reguilon. /Getty Images/ Shaun Botterill
Prior to the interval, Spurs required a quick Oliver Skipp clearance to deny Soucek a second time.
A wonderful pass over the top from Lanzini was controlled by Bowen, but Lloris rushed out to grab a critical touch and prevent a goal-scoring opportunity.
On the hour mark, Conte sat down. It was a return to form for him, with Harry Winks and Son Heung-min coming on.
With 22 minutes remaining, Moyes inserted Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma. Within 60 seconds, the latter nearly worked.
Harlequins’ Harrison Ashby came in for Benrahma, who turned and fired but watched his effort go wide.
Spurs held tight to reach the semi-finals for the third time in four years.
