Carabao Cup semi-final: FA brings back former format

The Carabao Cup semi-final will be a two-legged affair this season.

The draw was conducted on Wednesday night, following the completion of the quarter-final matches.
Arsenal will play Liverpool, while Chelsea will face Tottenham Hotspur.

The two-legged semi-finals will be played on the week commencing January 3.

The return fixtures take place a week later on the week commencing January 10.

LaLiga: I agree, Hazard is back – Ancelotti hails Belgium star after 2-1 win over Athletic

Real Madrid boss, Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Eden Hazard’s performance in their 2-1 away victory over Athletic Club on Wednesday.

Karim Benzema netted twice inside the opening 10 minutes to send Real Madrid on their way to a 2-1 victory.

And Ancelotti was impressed by the performance of Hazard who has found life in Madrid exceedingly difficult.
Hazard has barely found his best form at any stage since joining the Spanish giants from Chelsea, but did contribute to the victory at San Mames.

“I agree, Hazard is back,” Ancelotti explained in his post-match press conference when asked about the Belgian.

“Hazard has done well, he fought hard.

Carabao Cup: You saved our life – Klopp hails Liverpool star after win against Leicester

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp has hailed his ‘outstanding goalkeeper’ Caoimhin Kelleher after the Reds beat Leicester City on penalties in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night.

The goalkeeper saved spot-kicks from Luke Thomas and Ryan Bertrand to help Jurgen Klopp’s side progress to the semi-finals after the full-time ended 3-3. He also made some outstanding saves in normal time before the penalty shootout.

The Irishman, who is the club’s second-choice goalkeeper, has regularly impressed at any given chances in cup competitions and rare opportunities in the Premier League.

“Yeah, of course it’s important,’ Klopp said of the two penalty saves.

“But he is an outstanding goalkeeper. I don’t want to say anymore he’s a ‘talent.’

Pinnick confirms NFF met Mourinho for Super Eagles job

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has confirmed that they held talks with Roma manager, Jose Mourinho, as they search for a new Super Eagles head coach.

Pinnick revealed this during a media parley with sports journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.

The NFF boss also said the national team would get a new coach “within the next week or so”.
Austin Eguavoen was appointed on an interim basis, after Gernot Rohr was sacked earlier this month.

But the federation is in advanced negotiations for a permanent replacement for Rohr.

“We have spoken to three top coaches. Peseiro, whose name has been going around, is one of them and I can tell you he is a top coach.

EPL: Paul Parker accuses Man Utd star of holding Greenwood back

Former Manchester United star, Paul Parker has accused Marcus Rashford of holding Mason Greenwood back at Old Trafford.

Parker believes Greenwood is being held back by Rashford and deserves a run of games for Manchester United.

Greenwood and Rashford have been competing for a starting spot this season. However, since Man United interim manager, Ralf Rangnick took charge, Rashford has started against Crystal Palace and Norwich, while Greenwood started both league games on the bench.

“He’s (Rashford) holding back Mason Greenwood,” Parker told Bettingexpert.
“I think Greenwood needs a run in that team. He’s a young boy, and there are stories about him leaving. That might be drummed up by his agent.

Carabao Cup semi-final: Antonio Conte reacts as Tottenham draws Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur manager, Antonio Conte, has said that it will be ‘nice’ for his team to play against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Conte said this while reacting to his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final draws against Chelsea.
The Italian believes that the Carabao Cup semi-final draw against the Blues proves that it is ‘very, very difficult’ to win a trophy in England.

Conte’s side booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night after beating West Ham 2-1.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will play Liverpool in the other semi-final fixture. “I think it is good for Tottenham to reach the semi-final of this competition,’ Conte said at his post-match press conference after the match.

“You can see the names of the teams who have reached the semi-final – Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and us – it means every club wants to try to lift this trophy.
“I remember in the past when I was at Chelsea, this trophy was not secondary, but we used this trophy to play with young players, or with players who usually aren’t in the starting XI.

“Now, I am seeing that in England, to win a trophy is very, very difficult because we’ve had to beat important teams.

Conte added: “For sure, it will be nice, good to play against Chelsea for me.

Lolo Ijeoma Njoku Obinwannem News Writer / Dec 22, 2021