Pro Sports

Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham eliminated from League Cup

Posted November 09, 2022 6:00 am

By JAMES ROBSON

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English League Cup third round soccer match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates stadium in London, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Just how important Nick Pope's penalty shootout saves prove to be for Newcastle may not be known until February.

But this was a very good night to stay in the English League Cup for a team looking to make a statement with a trophy.

Newcastle, flying high in the Premier League, looked in danger of joining a host of big teams to be eliminated from the competition on Wednesday, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all losing in the third round.

West Ham was also beaten by Blackburn on penalties following a 2-2 draw, to add to the number of topflight sides going out.

Defending champion Liverpool only narrowly avoided joining them -- eventually seeing off League One club Derby in a shootout after a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

It was a night when the competition was blown wide open for those making the fourth round.

Which is why Pope's save to deny Crystal Palace's Malcolm Ebiowei could prove so crucial to Newcastle's campaign.

While the Saudi-backed club has been one of the stories of the season so far, climbing up to third in the table just a year after looking in serious danger of relegation, its wait for a major trophy dates back to 1969.

How its fans would relish silverware '“ even if Champions League qualification is the priority this season.

Not even all-time record scorer Alan Shearer could lead his boyhood club to a trophy when it last made a major push to join the elite of European football in the 1990s.

So, it would be a major statement of intent if manager Eddie Howe manages to bring that long wait to an end.

Pope made three saves in the shootout to secure a 3-2 win on penalties that will install Newcastle as one of the favorites to make it all the way to the final on Feb. 26.

'œIt's exciting for everyone at the end, although not good for our health, but happy to get through,'ť Howe said. 'œWe wanted to win to keep that momentum and we want to go as far as we can in the cup.'ť

Any team that does go on to lift the trophy is likely to have to overcome Manchester City after it beat Chelsea 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League champions have dominated the competition in recent years, winning it six times in the past nine seasons.

Goals from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez consigned Chelsea to a third loss in four games.

The honeymoon appears to be over for manager Graham Potter, whose team has only won two of the last seven games, with both of those coming in the Champions League.

The biggest shock of the night came at the Emirates where Potter's former team Brighton recovered from going 1-0 down against Premier League leader Arsenal to win 3-1.

Danny Welbeck, Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey all struck after Eddie Nketiah had opened the scoring.

It was a good night for the Premier League's bottom three clubs, with Forest beating Tottenham 2-0, Wolves winning 1-0 against Leeds and Southampton going through 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

PHILLIPS ENGLAND BOOST

Kalvin Phillips handed England head coach Gareth Southgate a boost ahead of the World Cup, coming on after 50 minutes of City's win against Chelsea.

The midfielder has not played since undergoing shoulder surgery in September.

He is expected to be named in Southgate's squad for Qatar, which will be announced on Thursday.

KLOPP'S FUTURE

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he will remain at the club after owner Fenway Sports confirmed it was open to selling its shares.

'œWhat I read they are looking for investment,'ť said the German. 'œGood idea, I like that. ... For me, it means nothing, whatever happens, if it does change, I am committed to the club.'ť

KANE PRECAUTION

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has allayed concerns after Harry Kane was substituted after 59 minutes against Forest, revealing he was taken off due to 'œfatigue.'ť

'œIt's normal," he said. "Harry has played every game.'ť

___

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup

___

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

Brighton and Hove players celebrate at the end of the English League Cup third round soccer match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates stadium in London, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press

Brighton's Adam Webster, left, Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma, centre, Brighton's Pervis Estupinan celebrate their victory in the English League Cup third round soccer match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates stadium in London, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press

Manchester City's Jack Grealish controls the ball during the English League Cup third round soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) The Associated Press

Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during the English League Cup third round soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) The Associated Press

Nottingham Forest's Jesse Lingard applauds after the EFL Cup third round soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground stadium in Nottingham, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

Tottenham's head coach Antonio Conte gestures during the EFL Cup third round soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground stadium in Nottingham, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

Nottingham Forest's Jesse Lingard, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the EFL Cup third round soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground stadium in Nottingham, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, right, celebrates with teammate Harvey Elliott after the English League Cup soccer match between Liverpool and Derby County, at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super) The Associated Press

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher applaud supporters after the English League Cup soccer match between Liverpool and Derby County, at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super) The Associated Press

Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin, right, gets past Crystal Palace's Joel Ward, during the English League Cup third round soccer match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, at St. James' Park, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne, right, battles for the ball with Newcastle United's Joelinton, during the English League Cup third round soccer match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, at St. James' Park, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.