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– Chelsea needed a penalty shootout for the second consecutive round to reach the quarterfinals of the League Cup as they edged past Southampton, while a much-changed Arsenal beat Leeds 2-0 on Tuesday.

– Kepa Arrizabalaga was the Chelsea hero as he made a string of late saves to deny Saints a place in the last eight as the game at Stamford Bridge ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

– Both goals came minutes either side of halftime as Kai Havertz headed Chelsea into the lead before Southampton hit back quickly when Che Adams bundled the ball home after Kepa parried Kyle Walker-Peters’ shot.

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– The Spain goalkeeper saved from Will Smallbone, Mohammed Salisu and Lyanco to take the tie to a shootout.

– Kepa then denied Theo Walcott from the spot and Smallbone blasted over as Chelsea progressed despite Mason Mount’s penalty being saved by Fraser Forster.

– Two goals in 14 second-half minutes from Callum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah took Arsenal through at the Emirates.

– Mikel Arteta had named a strong side in the previous two rounds with the Gunners not involved in European football for the first time in 25 seasons.

– But the Spaniard made nine changes from the side that started Friday’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

– Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa attempted to lift his side from a slump with just four changes from a 1-1 draw with Wolves on Saturday as England international Kalvin Phillips made his return from injury.

– The visitors enjoyed the better of the first-half, but paid a heavy price for failing to make it count.

– Chambers had barely been on the pitch for a minute after replacing Benjamin White when he forced the ball over the line from a corner to open the scoring.

– Eddie Nketiah then made the most of a rare start to seal the tie against his former club.

– The England under-21 international pounced on a slack header towards his own goal from Liam Cooper and scooped the ball over Illan Meslier before getting a slice of luck as his mishit finish bobbled into the net.

– League One side Sunderland are also into the quarterfinals as they beat Queen’s Park Rangers 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Loftus Road.

Gabriel Jesus scored four as defending champions Manchester City destroyed League One (third tier) Burton Albion 9-0 in their League Cup semi-final first leg to all but formally book their place in the final.
Burton, managed by Nigel Clough, the son of former Nottingham Forest manager Brian, must endure another 90 minutes at their own ground on Jan. 23.

City are set to face the winners of the other semi-final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, which Spurs lead 1-0 from the first-leg.

City manager Pep Guardiola fielded a strong starting line-up and his side quickly established their dominance with Kevin De Bruyne steering in a header from an excellent lofted ball from David Silva to open the scoring in the fifth minute.

It was 4-0 by halftime after two goals from Jesus and a long-range lob from Oleksandr Zinchenko and City showed no mercy after the break. Jesus added two more and substitute Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez also found the net.

The result was the largest ever margin of defeat in the semi-final of the competition.

(Reuters/NAN)

Tottenham Hotspur must overcome another London rival to reach the League Cup final match after being drawn against Chelsea in the last four on Wednesday.

Third tier Burton Albion will take on holders Manchester City however, in a pairing which comparatively looks like a mismatch.

Tottenham, who beat fierce local foes Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to reach the semis, have also met London clubs Watford and West Ham in this year’s competition.

“A very difficult draw, another London derby,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino told Sky Sports.

“We shall see. Chelsea are a great team but we are excited. To be in the semi-final is fantastic for us.”

Chelsea booked their spot in the last four with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, thanks to Eden Hazard’s deflected winner.

Burton reached the semi-finals for the first time in their history after Nigel Clough’s side beat Middlesbrough 1-0 on Tuesday.

They face the daunting prospect of trying to stop English Premier League champions Manchester City, who beat Leicester City on penalty kicks to reach the last four.

The two-legged ties will be played in the weeks of Jan. 7 and Jan. 21.

(Reuters/NAN)