The latest round of the Carabao Cup threw up some tasty looking fixtures, and those games did not disappoint. We competition has now been whittled down to the final eight, with many big hitters already out of the competition.
Here are five things we learned from round four.
Arsenal hammered at the London Stadium
Arsenal crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of West Ham in an all Premier League affair in east London. Mikel Arteta’s men suffered only their second defeat in all competitions so far this season as a weakened Arsenal side were dismantled by David Moyes’ outfit.
An own goal from Ben White and strikes from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen took the game away from Arsenal and sent West Ham into the Quarter-Finals. This perhaps is not the priority competition for Arsenal, who are in a title race in the Premier League and seeking qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League. They will be keen to put aside this off night as they return to league proceedings on Saturday – a difficult away game against Newcastle.
Toon’s cup revenge on United soil
The final of last years’ Carabao Cup was also drawn out the hat for this year’s fourth round. Manchester United hosted a Newcastle side who were winless in two games, meanwhile Erik ten Hag’s side had just been on the wrong end of a thrashing in the Manchester derby.
Manchester United were torn apart on the counter attack as Miguel Almiron gave Newcastle the lead. Shortly after, former Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall scored a superb volley to double the away side’s lead. A familiar feeling was beginning to linger around Old Trafford, with Manchester United staring at an eighth defeat this season, five of which have come at home.
Joe Willock put the icing on the cake with a sweet strike for Newcastle who had amended for the cup final defeat last season. The pressure yet again ramps up on ten Hag after another miserable evening.
Three goals in three games for Nunez
Darwin Nunez is finding his feet at Liverpool and is beginning to provide goals at a more consistent rate for his side. His stunning finish in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over AFC Bournemouth was a magical moment which sealed his side’s place in the last eight of the cup.
Goals against Toulouse and Nottingham Forest in his previous two games means the Uruguayan has scored in three games in a row, and is starting to show the fruits of why Liverpool signed him in 2022. Nunez will travel with his teammates to Luton on Sunday in ret-hot form, as he hopes to extend his scoring streak. Liverpool are quietly going about their business, having a really strong season so far.
Relief for Poch as Chelsea march through
It has been a topsy turvy season so far for Chelsea, and after a difficult result at the weekend against Brentford, it was important they responded with a win in the Carabao Cup against Blackburn Rovers. Chelsea brushed aside their Championship opponents and progress to the Quarter-Finals. Despite a poor season in the league, a cup run could be just what Chelsea need to lift morale inside the club, and for the fan base.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are just two rounds away from a Wembley final, and perhaps league form would be forgiven if a trophy was delivered to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s league fixtures do not get any easier, so a positive run in the cup is a welcome distraction for Pochettino and Chelsea.
Quarter-Finals give chance for the others to progress
The Carabao Cup Quarter-Final draw took place with the four fixtures being confirmed as:
Everton v Fulham
Chelsea v Newcastle
Port Vale v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v West Ham
Three of the four semi finalists will be Premier League sides, but an opportunity has arisen for either League One’s Port Vale or Championship side Middlesbrough to progress to a two-legged semi final. One of Everton and Fulham will be in the final four too, a chance to get their fans excited for a serious push for silverware.
Chelsea v Newcastle is the stand-out fixture, with last year’s runners up still motivated to go one better this time around. Liverpool’s tie with West Ham will also be an interesting matchup, with Liverpool already beating the Hammers 3-1 at Anfield this season. The competition is still wide open, with plenty of interesting narratives.
