{"id":2337,"date":"2016-11-30T17:14:31","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T22:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=2337"},"modified":"2016-11-30T17:55:13","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T22:55:13","slug":"efl-cup-semi-final-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/11\/30\/efl-cup-semi-final-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2016-17 EFL Cup semi-final preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2016-17 EFL Cup <\/strong>has reached the semi-finals, after eight clubs battled\u00a0to earn\u00a0four spots in the next round across the country this week.<\/p>\n

2016-17 EFL Cup semi-final preview<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0semi-final pairings took place immediately following the two matches on Wednesday. Manchester United will meet Hull City, while Southampton were drawn against Liverpool.<\/p>\n

Before looking ahead to the next round in January, we highlight the quarter-final matches from this past week.<\/p>\n

Hull City 1 Newcastle United 1 (3-1 penalties) \u2013 KCOM Stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hull City<\/strong> booked their first-ever trip to the EFL Cup semi-finals with a dramatic victory over Newcastle United<\/strong> on Tuesday evening<\/a>. The match\u00a0ended 1-1 after extra-time and the Tigers secured their spot in the next round 3-1 on penalties.<\/p>\n

All appeared lost for the home side when Dieumerci Mbokani<\/strong> was sent off just before the 90th minute. A scoreless draw began to open up in the second half and Newcastle\u2019s Mohamed Diame<\/strong> gave the Magpies a 1-0 lead in the 98th minute.<\/p>\n

But Scottish international Robert Snodgrass<\/strong> equalised only moments later and it was on to penalties to decide a winner. Jonjo Shelvey<\/strong> and Dwight Gayle<\/strong> missed the first two attempts for the visitors and Newcastle were unable to recover.<\/p>\n

Liverpool 2 Leeds United 0 \u2013 Anfield<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Liverpool<\/strong> scored two late goals in a 2-0 victory against Leeds United<\/strong> on Tuesday<\/a>, with Jurgen Klopp\u2019s<\/strong> side returning to the semi-finals for a second consecutive season.<\/p>\n

Against a squad featuring several reserves, Leeds and manager Garry Monk<\/strong> did well to keep the match scoreless at half-time. Both clubs were able to move the ball into the attack often, but could not convert in the final third.<\/p>\n

Liverpool were eventually able to break down the Championship<\/strong> side, with goals from Divock Origi<\/strong> (76′) and 17-year old Benjamin Woodburn<\/strong> (81′) delivering the win.<\/p>\n

Arsenal 0 Southampton 2 \u2013 Emirates Stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Southampton<\/strong> displayed an incredible team performance in their 2-0 quarter-final victory at Arsenal<\/strong>. Despite controlling possession throughout the match, the Gunners were unable to effectively penetrate the opposing defence.<\/p>\n

Saints midfielder Jordy Clasie<\/strong> unleashed a thunderous shot past Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez<\/strong><\/a> early on, with Ryan Bertrand<\/strong> adding a second goal in the 38th minute.<\/p>\n

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger<\/strong> fielded a line-up missing many regulars, as the North London side chose to balance Premier League<\/strong> commitments.<\/p>\n

Manchester United\u00a04 West Ham United\u00a01 \u2013 Old Trafford<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Manchester United<\/strong> and manager Jose Mourinho<\/strong> secured an excellent moment after recent struggles in the Premier League with a 4-1 victory over West Ham United<\/strong> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Zlatan Ibrahimovic<\/strong> scored in just the second minute of the match<\/a> and a strong defensive performance kept the visitors from creating many scoring opportunities during the first half. But an impressive move from Hammers midfielder Dimitri Payet<\/strong> led to Ashley Fletcher<\/strong> finding the equaliser before half-time.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils\u00a0responded well\u00a0in the second half, with Anthony Martial<\/strong> scoring two goals (48′, 62′) to seal the victory.\u00a0Ibrahimovic added an emphatic\u00a0fourth for United\u00a0in the 90th minute.<\/p>\n

Semi-final preview<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The EFL Cup presents its most unique quality in the semi-final round with a two-leg aggregate series.<\/p>\n

Manchester United and Southampton will host the first\u00a0matches of the round and may both be able to get out to a strong start.<\/p>\n

Liverpool and Manchester United will be favoured to meet in what would be a tremendous cup final.<\/p>\n

The first legs will take place during the second week of January, with the deciding matches played during the final week of the month. The EFL Cup final will be played at Wembley Stadium<\/strong> on February 26th.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n