Newcastle Stuns Manchester City in League Cup Upset
In a surprising turn of events, Newcastle United emerged victorious against Manchester City with a 1-0 win in the third round of the League Cup. This loss adds to Manchester City’s recent struggles in the tournament, as they failed to secure the title during their treble-winning campaign last season. The frustration was evident as Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, received a yellow card for dissent towards the match officials in the closing minutes of the game.
Despite leaving star players Erling Haaland, Kyle Walker, and Phil Foden on the bench, Manchester City dominated the first half of the match. However, they were unable to convert their possession into goals. It was Alexander Isak of Newcastle who broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a superb play by Joelinton. The Brazilian dribbled past four City defenders before making a precise pass to find Isak unmarked at the far post.
Guardiola, gracious in defeat, congratulated Newcastle for their victory. He stated, “No problem, I accept everything.” Newcastle’s reward for their triumph is a fourth-round fixture against Manchester United, setting the stage for a heated rematch of last season’s final, which Man United won.
This defeat in the League Cup is a setback for Manchester City, who have won the tournament five times in the past six seasons. However, the team remains focused on defending their titles in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, while also preparing for the upcoming Club World Cup in December.
Liverpool Continues Unbeaten Streak with Thrilling Comeback
Liverpool showcased their resilience once again as they rallied from a goal down to secure a 3-1 victory against Leicester City. This marks the fifth time this season that Liverpool has conceded the first goal yet managed to emerge unbeaten. Leicester took an early lead in the third minute through Kasey McAteer, but Liverpool responded with an impressive offensive display.
The home team unleashed a barrage of attacks, registering 29 goal attempts, out of which 10 were on target. The relentless pressure paid off as Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Diogo Jota found the back of the net, securing the win for Liverpool. Szoboszlai’s goal in the 70th minute was particularly spectacular, as his powerful strike from 20 meters ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar before finding the net.
London Clubs Arsenal and Chelsea Triumph
Arsenal and Chelsea enjoyed victories against fellow Premier League teams in the League Cup. Arsenal secured a 1-0 win against Brentford, thanks to Reiss Nelson’s early goal in the eighth minute. Poor passing from the home defense allowed Nelson to capitalize and secure the important goal for Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Chelsea celebrated a 1-0 victory against Brighton. The match held special significance for Chelsea, as they fielded three players—Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, and Moises Caicedo—who were signed from Brighton. Nicolas Jackson scored the lone goal of the match in the 50th minute, marking his second goal of the season.
Promising Performances from Everton, Fulham, and Bournemouth
Everton showcased a remarkable comeback, avenging their 4-0 loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League last month with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park. James Garner opened the scoring for Everton in the 15th minute, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin added another goal in the 50th minute. These two away wins within five days signal a positive turnaround for Everton, following a challenging start to the season.
Fulham and Bournemouth emerged victorious in their matches against second-tier teams. Fulham secured a 2-1 win against Norwich, with Carlos Vinícius scoring in the 12th minute to set the foundation for their victory. Bournemouth, on the other hand, clinched a comfortable 2-0 win against Stoke City, thanks to two goals within a three-minute span in the second half.
Exciting Fixtures Await in the Fourth Round
The fourth-round draw promises thrilling encounters, with all-Premier League matchups. Liverpool is set to face Bournemouth, while Arsenal will take on West Ham. Chelsea, benefiting from a favorable draw, will host Blackburn. Everton’s coach, Sean Dyche, will welcome his former club, Burnley, while Fulham faces a challenging fixture against Ipswich, an improving second-tier side. Additionally, fourth-tier Mansfield will host third-tier Port Vale, ensuring the presence of an underdog in the quarterfinals. Finally, Exeter, from the third-tier, will host Middlesbrough from the second-tier, in what is expected to be a captivating clash.