West Ham ended Manchester City’s reign as EFL Cup holders by knocking them out on penalties in the tournament’s last 16. The Citizens had won four titles back-to-back.
The two teams’ attempts to break the deadlock in regular time proved to be fruitless – but not for the lack of trying. Youngster Cole Palmer – who led City in attack – had his shot saved by West Ham’s Alphonse Areola, the Frenchman stopping a close-range shot with his feet. The PSG loanee also made two good saves from Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones in the second half, forcing the game to be decided through penalties.
In the shootout, Phil Foden placed his spot-kick wide of the post – the only player not to hit the target for either side. West Ham scored all five of their penalties and booked their place in the next round at the expense of the holders.
Liverpool’s visit to Preston North End turned out to be a pretty straightforward affair, despite the home side giving the visitors a few scares of their own. Heroics from Adrian and then Nico Williams on the line prevented the Championship side from taking the lead in the first half.
Takumi Minamino scored with a flick just past the hour mark to give the Reds the lead; Williams again proved to be influential – albeit at the other end – with his well-timed run and cross for the attacker. Divock Origi sealed Liverpool’s progression to the next round with a late goal – an audacious scorpion kick, which he scuffed, but the ball still ended up in the net.
Tottenham joined West Ham and Liverpool in the next round, after coming out on top in an all-Premier League clash against Burnley. Spurs withstood Burnley assault for large parts of the match and eventually grabbed the winner in the 68th minute through Lucas Moura, who headed in an Emerson Royal cross from the centre of the box.
Spurs join Chelsea, West Ham, Liverpool, Brentford, Leicester City, Sunderland, and Arsenal in the quarter-final draw, which will take place on Saturday, October 30.
