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| Juan Mata celebrates his goal for Manchester United Photo Courtesy The Canadian Press
The English league cup a yearly knockout tournament which included all of the teams from the Football League system which composed of 4 leagues. The Premier League, Football League Championship, League One and League Two. But the league cup has always been living in the shadows of the FA Cup over the years. However for the smaller sides the league cup has always been an opportunity to play in Europe the following season since the winners will qualify for the 2017-2018 Europa League third qualifying round.
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Manchester United 1-0 Manchester City
Manchester City were hoping to continue their title defense of the EFL cup when they faced their city rivals Manchester United. But it was a Juan Mata goal in the 54th minute all that was needed for the Red Devils to beat the Citizens and ended their city rivals EFL Cup title defense. A concern for Man Utd fans though was the injury of Marcus Rashford who limps off during the closing stages of match.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool the most successful team in the history of the competition with 8 titles are looking to win their 9th title and first under the era of Jurgen Klopp. Things are looking great when they went ahead just 9 minutes later thanks to a Daniel Sturridge goal. Sturridge doubled his goal tally and the lead of Liverpool in the 64th minute when he scored. However in the 76th minute Vincent Janssen gave his side hope when he converted from the spot to make it 2-1, but it only proved to be a consolation as the Reds hang on for the win.
Arsenal 2-0 Reading
Arsenal and Reading faced off once again in the league cup where 4 years ago they created one of the most classic matches in cup's history when the match ended 7-5 in favor Arsenal after extra time after Reading had a 4-0 lead. Arsenal who are 2nd in the Premier League faces Reading that are currently 8th in the championship 1 point behind the promotion places spots. Arsenal took the lead in the 33rd minute with a goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chamberlain found the net again in the 78th minute to give his side a cushion. The match ended 2-0 which is 10 goals short from the classic league cup match they had 4 years ago.
Leeds United 2(3)-2(2) Norwich City
Leeds United and Norwich City two of the 22 teams that separated from the Football League back in 1992 to form what is now known as the Premier League. Leeds has finished in the top 5 seven times in 12 seasons before its relegation in 2004. Norwich, however despite finishing 3rd in the first season of the league, the team has since suffered 4 relegation over the course of 24 years the most recent was the end of last season. Alex Pritchard put the Canaries 1-0 up when he scored a header goal in the 14th minute. Marcus Antonsson leveled the match 1-1 in the 43rd minute. The match went to extra time after it finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Nelson Oliveira once again put Norwich City on top in the 99th minute, but The Whites will once again answer in the 109th minute when Chris Wood scored after he followed up the unimpressive save by the Norwich Keeper. The match went to a penalty shootout where Leeds won 3-2.
Other EFL Cup results:
West Ham United 2-1 Chelsea
Bristol City 1-2 Hull City
Newcastle United 6-0 Preston North End
Southampton 1-0 Sunderland
The Quarterfinal has been made after the conclusion of the Manchester United-Manchester City game and the fixtures are as follows:
Liverpool vs Leeds United
Manchester United vs West Ham United
Hull City vs Newcastle United
Arsenal vs Southampton
The Quarterfinal matches will be played on November 29th.
Leeds United and Newcastle United are the two non-Premier League sides left in the competition.
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