EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg – Newstrends
Connect with us

Sports

EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

Published

2 weeks ago

on

EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

Tottenham Hotspur claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against EFL Cup holders Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final clash, securing just their second clean sheet in 12 matches and gaining a crucial edge in the tie.

New signing Antonin Kinský made his debut in goal, the second Spurs goalkeeper to do so in consecutive matches, as manager Ange Postecoglou continued to navigate an injury-hit squad.

Despite these challenges, Tottenham started brightly against the Premier League leaders. However, their momentum was disrupted when Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah had a rare chance midway through the half, dragging a shot wide, as both sides struggled to find rhythm in a first half punctuated by injuries, including one to Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah. The teams went into the break at 0-0, leaving much to play for in the second half.

READ ALSO:

Postecoglou, who has yet to see a goalless draw since taking charge in July 2023, nearly witnessed a breakthrough early in the second half. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s hesitation under pressure from Lucas Bergvall led to Pedro Porro attempting an audacious chip, which narrowly missed.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot responded with a triple substitution, introducing Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The latter came close to scoring, only to see his shot cleared off the line by Spurs defender Radu Drăgușin.

The game seemed destined for a stalemate until the final moments when Tottenham found a decisive moment. Dominic Solanke chased a long ball before setting up Bergvall, who slotted home his first goal for Spurs, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The late strike ended Liverpool’s nine-match unbeaten streak in the competition and handed Tottenham a slender advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.

With the second leg looming, Spurs are now just one game away from ending their 17-year trophy drought, dating back to their 2007/08 League Cup triumph.

Meanwhile, Liverpool face a daunting task to overturn the deficit, having suffered their first away defeat since April.

EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Sports

Salah hits new record with 50th European goal for Liverpool

Published

5 hours ago

on

January 22, 2025

By

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah

Salah hits new record with 50th European goal for Liverpool

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah has now scored three Champions League goals this season and 22 in 31 games in all competitions.

He has also set up another 17 for team-mates and his total of 39 goal involvements is the highest of any player in Europe’s big five leagues.

His latest goal set Liverpool on their way to victory against Lille and to securing their place in the Champions League last 16.

It was a nonchalant finish as he latched on to Curtis Jones’ superb through ball and lifted over the advancing Lucas Chevalier.

It was his 50th goal in Europe for Liverpool – with 44 coming in the Champions League, five in last season’s Europa League and one in Champions League qualifying.

His latest strike extends his record as the club’s leading European goalscorer and he has now scored 20 Champions League goals at Anfield.

Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (23 at Etihad Stadium) and ex-Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy (23 at Old Trafford) are the only players to score more goals in the competition at a specific venue for an English team.

READ ALSO:

“There has always been a smile on Salah’s face but it’s just that belief in himself that he will score,” said former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“That’s what makes him so dangerous. That’s the elite mindset of a player of his calibre.”

He has also been directly involved in 18 goals in 15 appearances at Anfield this season (10 goals, eight assists in all competitions).

“He is a real talisman for Liverpool,” said former Reds striker Robbie Fowler on Amazon Prime.

“He is a game winner. He is very comfortable in front of goal.

“He is one of those players that if he misses a chance, he is not fazed because the next one he will score.

“We wax lyrical about Mohamed Salah and know what he is capable of.”

Speaking to Amazon Prime, Salah said: “Hopefully [it’s] not the last one but I’m very proud of it. I wasn’t focused on it before the game.”

The 32-year-old’s long-term future at Anfield has been a constant talking point, as he has yet to sign an extension to his contract that expires at the end of this season.

At the end of December, Salah said an agreement was “far away” but former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia said the “situation is not affecting him”.

“He has never said he wants to leave,” said Garcia on Amazon Prime.

“The club never said he wants to leave. I think they are trying to give him normality. Week in, week out he is delivering, he is scoring. So this situation is not affecting him.”

Salah hits new record with 50th European goal for Liverpool

Continue Reading

Sports

Barcelona in major comeback claim victory at Benfica

Published

5 hours ago

on

January 22, 2025

By

Barcelona in major comeback claim victory at Benfica

Raphinha struck a dramatic winner in stoppage time as Barcelona came from behind to beat Benfica 5-4 in a wild match on Tuesday and virtually ensure direct qualification to the Champions League last 16.

Benfica were leading 4-2 with under 15 minutes remaining but Barcelona mounted a stunning late comeback to stay three points behind leaders Liverpool.

Vangelis Pavlidis hit a first-half hat-trick for the hosts, in part thanks to two big errors by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

However a Robert Lewandowski double from the penalty spot, Eric Garcia’s header and a brace for Raphinha helped Barcelona claim a stunning last-gasp triumph in Lisbon.

“We knew how hard it would be here, in front of their fans, and they know how to play really well, they have top level players,” Raphinha told Movistar.

“We didn’t let ourselves sink at 3-1 down, we were focussed on what we needed to do to try and change the game.

READ ALSO:

“It was a spectacular game for everyone. They could have won, or us, but we managed to take it.”

Benfica opened the scoring in the second minute, when Pavlidis escaped Pau Cubarsi and fired home from Alvaro Carreras’ low cross.

Barcelona responded swiftly with Lewandowski scoring from the penalty spot after Alejandro Balde was brought down by Benfica defender Tomas Araujo.

The hosts nosed back ahead through a stroke of luck, when Szczesny raced out of his goal to try and cut out a through-ball, but crashed into Balde.

Greece international Pavlidis gleefully collected the loose ball and rolled his second into the empty net.

Barcelona, who lured Szczesny out of retirement to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen in October, soon fell further behind.

Pavlidis completed his half-hour hat-trick with a penalty after another Szczesny mistake, with the goalkeeper flying in to try and dispossess Kerem Akturkoglu but bringing him down.

– Barca battle back –

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha missed good chances before the break as Barcelona pushed forward.

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin saved from Jules Kounde, who should have scored, and Lewandowski could not turn home from Pedri’s dangerous ball across the face of goal.

Raphinha pulled one back for Barcelona in bizarre fashion as a clearance by Trubin struck his head on the edge of the area and flew back into the net.

However, Benfica soon struck again, with Ronald Araujo nudging past Szczesny into his own net as he tried to cut out a cross.

Barcelona kept pushing and Lewandowski converted another penalty after Nicolas Otamendi brought down Yamal.

The Catalan giants, who last won the Champions League in 2015, pulled level when substitute Garcia headed home from Pedri’s inviting cross.

Szczesny saved former Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria’s low shot before Raphinha’s dramatic winner.

With Benfica appealing for a penalty, Barcelona sprang a quick breakaway and the Brazilian winger slotted home to end a blockbuster battle.

Players from both sides clashed after the final whistle as tempers flared following the thrilling denouement.

“To go behind in the second minute… spoils your plans,” said Garcia.

“The team showed an incredible mentality.”

 

Barcelona in major comeback claim victory at Benfica

Continue Reading

Sports

Manchester City sign defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens

Published

24 hours ago

on

January 21, 2025

By

Abdukodir Khusanov

Manchester City sign defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens

Manchester City announced on Monday that it has signed Uzbekistan central defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens of Ligue 1 on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Khusanov, 20, played in 13 of Lens’ 16 league games this season, and City paid a £33.5 million transfer fee for him, according to British media.

“For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick,” City said in a statement.

The centre-back is the Premier League’s first player from Uzbekistan. He will wear the number 45.

READ ALSO:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” Abdukodir Khusanov said.

“This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them.

“And of course Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.

“This is a very proud moment for me and my family to be joining a great Club like Manchester City and I’m more than ready for this challenge,” he told the City website.

Abdukodir Khusanov joined Lens from Belarusian side Energetik-BGU Minsk in 2023, playing 31 matches for the French team in all competitions.

Manchester City are back in the top four in the Premier League after thrashing Ipswich on Sunday.

Manchester City sign defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens

Continue Reading

Trending