Holders Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle through to Carabao Cup SF

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott earned Liverpool a place in the Carabao Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win at Southampton.

Arne Slot’s men opened up an advantage of two by the half-time interval, with a close-range Nunez finish followed by Elliott wrapping up a slick move via a slight deflection.

The Reds’ lead was reduced just shy of the hour mark at St Mary’s as Cameron Archer dispatched a curler, but they saw out the contest to secure their spot in the semi-finals of the competition.

Elsewhere, a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick helped Arsenal to a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals on Thursday (IST).

Palace looked capable of pulling off a shock when they took the lead with their first shot of the match – Jean-Philippe Mateta getting the better of Jakub Kiwior to score the opener.

But Arsenal’s second-half substitutes Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka made an instant impact. Both players provided goalscoring opportunities for Jesus and the Brazilian forward made no mistake in front of goal.

The Brazilian completed his hat-trick when he again was found by Odegaard and drilled his shot past Henderson to win the game.

Eddie Nketiah planted a seed of doubt with an 85th minute header for Palace on his first visit back to Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal held firm to reach the last four.

Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali’s double helped see Newcastle United through to Carabao Cup last four with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Brentford at St James’ Park.

Tonali’s sweet, the Italian’s first goal since August 2023, fired the hosts ahead in the opening stages of the quarterfinal tie before the midfielder’s equally impressive volley from Anthony Gordon’s corner extended United’s advantage before the half-time whistle.

Fabian Schar’s close-range finish added further gloss to the scoreline in the second-half before Yoane Wissa’s stoppage-time effort proved a mere consolation as Eddie Howe’s side secured a last-four spot in the competition for a second t

ime in their last three seasons.

–IANS

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Akash-Bumrah’s fightback can propel belief into India’s top order: Vettori

Brisbane, Dec 17 (IANS) In an unexpected turn of events, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep put on an unbeaten 39-run partnership to foil Australia’s hopes of enforcing a follow-on on Day 4 of the Third Test at The Gabba.

With India’s top order once again failing to hit the mark, barring KL Rahul who continued his fine showing in Australian conditions with a valiant 84-run innings, Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori believes the showing by Bumrah and Akash can propel belief back into India’s top order for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

“I think we expect everything, I think we understand that any batter on any given day can step up and deliver, so I don’t think we assume that anyone’s going to live up to the average. I think you look at those averages and you think there’s not much there, but Bumrah has proven that. He’s been able to put on partnerships, he’s been proven that he can attack and he can defend, and I think Akash’s better than a number 11, so the team within themselves all understand that every wicket’s vitally important, so there was no reason to back off at all,” said Vettori at the post-day press conference.

Akash Deep, who is playing his first game in foreign conditions, walked into bat at 213/9 while the visitors needed 33 runs to save the side from getting a follow-on which could have potentially lost them the game.

Concerns arose for the hosts as Australia suffered a major injury blow with the experienced seamer Josh Hazlewood likely to be ruled out of the series against India after the scans confirmed he had strained his right calf. Hazlewood hurt his right calf during Australia’s warm-ups on Tuesday morning. He bowled one over in the first session before leaving the field with calf soreness in the first session on Day 4.

The 33-year old missed the second Test at Adelaide Oval due to a side strain. In Hazlewood’s likely absence, Scott Boland, who replaced Josh in the 2nd Test is likely to be called into the squad for the remaining two games as confirmed by Vettori.

“He’s (Josh) pretty despondent. Obviously, he felt it this morning in warm-ups and gave it a good crack, but yeah, it’s just unfortunate for him too. He made a come back and put so much effort in another injury with a side strain from the last test and then to pick up a calf injury here, particularly in these circumstances, was really tough on him.

“I think Boland speaks for himself. I mean, the way he bowled in Adelaide, the way he’s consistently been the back-up seamer, and every single time he’s been asked to step up, particularly in Australia, he’s been outstanding. So, I think that would be the logical thing to conclude,” concluded Vettori.

–IANS

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Southampton sack manager Russell Martin after loss to Spurs

Southampton, Dec 16 (IANS) Following a 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Southampton sacked their manager Russell Martin with the Saints currently bottom of the Premier League table.

Current Under-21s Manager Simon Rusk will take charge of the team on an interim basis until the announcement of a permanent replacement.

“The board have supported Russell and his staff and been open and transparent regarding our expectations. We have all been on the same page in recognising the urgency of needing results to improve,” the Southampton statement read.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Russell and his staff for all the hard work and dedication they have given the club on and off the pitch over the last 18 months. Everyone connected with Southampton FC will always have fantastic memories of last season, especially the Play-Off Final win in May,” it read.

Martin, 38, took charge of Southampton in July 2023, helping them earn promotion through the playoffs to the Premier League in his first season at the helm.

However, since returning to the top flight, Southampton have earned just one win, beating Everton 1-0 in November.

Martin is the fourth Premier League manager to leave his role this season, after Erik ten Hag, Steve Cooper and Gary O’Neil.

–IANS

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