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Football | EFL Cup | Semi-Final 1st Legs | Roundup

Robert Wheeler
Football

By Robert Wheeler

  • Manchester United put three past Nottingham Forest
  • Newcastle claims an advantage against Southampton
  • The return legs will be in a week’s time
UK – The first legs of the EFL Cup semi-finals saw two teams, Manchester United and Newcastle set themselves up to get to the final to end their respective trophy droughts.

 

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United leave Forest with a mountain to climb

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Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 to put themselves in a very comfortable position of making it to the final. The tie was never in doubt after Marcus Rashford ran through their defence as if they were not there before finishing past Wayne Hennessey. Rashford’s goal was reminiscent of Ryan Giggs’ goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup in 1999.

Forest was without their first-choice goalkeeper, Dean Henderson who was the hero of their quarter-final, as he is on loan at the club from United. They sure missed Henderson at the City Ground.

Steve Cooper‘s side had thought they had equalised through Sam Surridge. However, VAR ruled the goal out for offside. Wout Weghorst then got his first United goal, the Dutchman with a great finish with the outside of the foot just before halftime.

The second half saw Jesse Lingard introduced by Cooper but the former United man could not turn the tides of this match. Bruno Fernandes fired in a late goal to seal the victory. The goal caused a worrying moment in the away end, as a board that the fans were behind collapsed but thankfully it looked like no one was hurt.

United have not won a trophy since 2017 and after this result, they are halfway to Wembley already. Only a miracle for Forest to overcome this result at Old Trafford next week.

 

Joelinton’s strike sets Newcastle up nicely

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Newcastle United can take a 1-0 lead back to St James’ Park, thanks to a goal from Joelinton. The Brazilian finally scored the winner in the 73rd minute after he had a goal disallowed by VAR and missed a sitter. The brilliance on the wing of Alexander Isak was crucial to their goal as he set up Joelinton for a tap-in that he could not miss again.

Southampton thought they had equalised soon after. However, Adam Armstrong‘s goal against his former club was ruled out because of a handball. It got worse for the Saints as Duje Caleta-Car was then sent off for tripping Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Magpies still had to rely on two fantastic saves from Nick Pope to keep their lead intact. Eddie Howe‘s side is in a great position to get to the final, for a chance to end their elusive trophy drought which goes back to 1969.

Newcastle is still in the running to finish in the top four of the Premier League. Although, many fans would rather see them lift a trophy, which would give this set of players something to show for their class.

The second legs of the semi-finals are next week, with Newcastle hosting Southampton on January 31 and Manchester United playing at home against Forest on February 1.