Carabao Cup quarter-final attract full: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and extra be taught subsequent opponents
Tottenham will play Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. Spurs beat Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 to reach the last eight and their reward was another home against opponents from Manchester.
United’s first game following the sacking of Erik ten Hag on Monday saw a 5-2 win over Leicester, with Ruud van Nistelrooy in interim charge. Spurs, who have not won a trophy since lifting the League Cup in 2008, beat United 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford at the end of September.
Holders Liverpool will return to the south coast after beating Brighton 3-2 on Wednesday. The 10-time winners will visit Southampton, while Newcastle’s reward for overcoming Chelsea was a home tie against Brentford.
Arsenal will entertain Crystal Palace – surprise fourth-round winners at Aston Villa – in an all-London tie. The quarter-final matches will be played in the week beginning Monday, December 15.
Find out the reaction to the full Carabao Cup quarter-final round draw below:
Carabao Cup quarter-final draw in full
Tottenham vs Manchester United
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle vs Brentford
Southampton vs Liverpool
The four quarter-finals will be played in the week commencing 16 December.
Premier League fixtures either side of Carabao Cup week
14 Dec: Everton (H)
18 Dec: Crystal Palace (H)
21 Dec: Crystal Palace (A)
15 Dec: Chelsea (A)
18 Dec: Newcastle (A)
21 Dec: Nott’m Forest (H)
Crystal Palace
15 Dec: Brighton (A)
18 Dec: Arsenal (A)
21 Dec: Arsenal (H)
14 Dec: Fulham (H)
18 Dec: Southampton (A)
22 Dec: Tottenham (A)
14 Dec: Leicester (H)
18 Dec: Brentford (H)
21 Dec: Ipswich Town (A)
Manchester United
15 Dec: Man City (A)
18 Dec: Tottenham (A)
21 Dec: Bournemouth (H)
15 Dec: Southampton (A)
18 Dec: Manchester United (H)
22 Dec: Liverpool (H)
Southampton
15 Dec: Tottenham (H)
18 Dec: Liverpool (H)
22 Dec: Fulham (A)
Guardiola admits Man City are ‘in difficulty’ as injuries mount up
Pep Guardiola claimed Manchester City were in trouble after they suffered further injuries in a 2-1 loss at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup to leave them with only 13 first-team players available.
Already without Kyle Walker, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish for the fourth-round tie, Manuel Akanji was withdrawn ahead of kick-off before Savinho left on a stretcher in the second half.
“We have 13 players (available) so we are in real difficulty,” Guardiola said. “I think when we are in trouble, like we are because in nine years it never happen this situation with many, many injuries for many, many reasons, in these situations, the players they make a step forward and they are more together than ever and they will try to do this week in this short time to recover.
“It’s tough. Akanji yesterday, I didn’t know it, in the last action felt something in the muscular part of his body and today in the warm-up he didn’t feel good. He said he could take a risk and I said no, no risk.
“That’s why the guys who are here and making an effort to be with us, fighting to be with us and playing with pain and focus for us, these guys I will not forget it.”
Manchester United find ‘luck’ in front of goal
Manchester United finally “had some luck” as they put five goals past Leicester, according to Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“Five goals but I have to say the chances against West Ham, Fenerbahce and Crystal Palace, we created so much more bigger chances and couldn’t finish,” he said.
“All of a sudden we had some luck on our side and that made it a great night. It is always the target to react and go straight back into attack ourselves.
“But I have to say the reaction of players after the Leicester goals were excellent and they deserve the credit. I am glad the crowd go home with a nice night of football.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy happy to ‘help and serve’ Manchester United
Ruud van Nistelrooy has indicated he wants to be a part of Ruben Amorim’s new coaching set-up after the interim Manchester United manager oversaw an entertaining Carabao Cup win against Leicester.
Asked if he is happy to remain in interim charge as negotiations for Amorim continue, Van Nistelrooy told Sky Sports: “Of course – I came here as an assistant to help the club.
“Now in this role I’m helping as long as I’m needed. And in the future in any capacity, I’m here to help the club further, to build towards the future and that’s what I’m here for.”
Pushed on whether he wants to be part of the new coaching set-up at United, the former striker said: “As I said, I’m here to help, I’m here to serve, I’m here to give my everything for the club in any capacity with so many people here around me that want the best for the club and that will never change.”
Unai Emery defends his team selection after Aston Villa suffer cup knockout
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery had no regrets about his team selection after watching his much-changed side crash out of the Carabao Cup to Crystal Palace.
Emery made wholesale changes to his line-up, with Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley not even in the matchday squad.
Emery insisted he would pick the same side if he played the match 100 times again.
“We started with 11 players in the first-team squad,” he said.
“Of course I am disappointed and frustrated, but we competed with the players to get the performance.
“If I am repeating this match 100 times I am playing with the same players.”
Eddie Howe feels cup win can be a big moment in Newcastle’s season
Eddie Howe was delighted with Newcastle’s response after they reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup for the third year in a row with a 2-0 win against Chelsea.
The Magpies bounced back from Sunday’s Premier League defeat against the same opponents at Stamford Bridge as two first-half goals sealed victory on Tyneside.
A mistake at the back allowed Alexander Isak to put Newcastle ahead in the 23rd minute and they extended their lead just three minutes later when Joe Willock’s deflected header was turned into his own net by Axel Disasi.
“We needed a performance and a result, I think we got that tonight,” Newcastle head coach Howe said.
“Especially in the first half, I thought it was hallmark us at our best; front foot, really good energy, good feel, good quality, good attitude – most importantly – and a massive win for us.”
Arne Slot insists Cody Gakpo has big part to play at Liverpool
Liverpool boss Arne Slot insisted Cody Gakpo is very much part of his Premier League plans after the forward’s stunning double set the Carabao Cup holders on course for the quarter-finals.
Gakpo gave a timely reminder of his talents on Wednesday evening with a pair of powerful finishes before Luis Diaz sealed the Reds’ 3-2 fourth-round victory at Brighton.
The Netherlands international has been a peripheral figure at Anfield since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer, starting just two of nine top-flight fixtures.
Slot, who made eight changes for the Amex Stadium tie, was impressed by the impact of his squad players, including his fellow Dutchman.
Tottenham answer biggest question of their season to fuel Carabao Cup dream
The roar of relief was everything. Tottenham could not afford to mess up this opportunity but Ange Postecoglou’s side held firm, knocking Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup to hand Pep Guardiola’s team their first defeat of the season. Tottenham’s ability to self-destruct ensured this was still a gripping cup tie, even as City chased the game in second gear. It was almost enough and although Bernardo Silva’s protests at full-time suggested City wanted to win this just as much as Spurs, the sight of Erling Haaland grinning on the bench, an unused substitute even as City trailed for over 90 minutes, told a different story.
Ruud van Nistelrooy happy to ‘help and serve’ Manchester United’s next manager
But while United have made Amorim their top target to take over and are willing to trigger his release clause with Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese has a 30-day release clause and United are in negotiations to bring the 39-year-old to Old Trafford sooner and to try and take his coaching staff of Daniel Fernandes and Adelio Candido as well.