One of the best-ever World Cup finals was over on Sunday, December 18th, and football fans in England were already preparing for the return of club football. The Premier League games won’t start until Boxing Day on December 26th, but Carabao Cup Round 4 was on display tonight with Leicester, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Wolverhampton and Southampton all in action after a long World Cup break. And they all struggled against inferior opposition apart from Leicester, who won with a comfortable 3-0 score against a third-league Milton Keynes Dones. In other games, Newcastle had the toughest task, as they faced another Premier League team Bournemouth and won 1-0, while Julen Lopetegui had a tough debut at Wolverhampton’s bench against fourth-league Gillingham (1-0). Southampton had to turn the game over completely in order to defeat third-tier Lincoln City 2-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.😅 We’re back!#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/sSNlhpw1If— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) December 20, 2022 The most exciting match was between two Premier League teams, Newcastle and Bournemouth. Two teams already met this season but in the league match, also at St. James Park, and this game also looked much like the first one, apart from the result. In September, The Magpies had the advantage, 20 shots in total, and had chances but ended up only with a 1-1 draw as the Cherries used one of their 3 shots on target to score. Tonight, it was pretty much the same, as Newcastle had 17 overall shots, more possession and more chances but this time managed to secure a tight 1-0 win. After at least three excellent chances, it was Bournemouth skipper Smith who scored an own goal and the rest was up to the best Premier League defence, who finished the job and took Eddie Howe’s team to the quarterfinals.
Former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui started his tenure at Wolverhampton with a tight 2-0 win over minors Gillingham. The visitors, who are competing in a 4th league were holding on until the 77th minute when Raul Jimenez scored from the penalty spot while Ait Nouri secured the win in injury time. The only team which didn’t allow any surprises was Leicester City, who was 2-0 up in Milton Keynes after only half an hour. Jamie Vardy increased the lead in the 50th minute and that was enough for the quarter-finals.
At St Mary’s, Southampton have just about managed to edge past League One side Lincoln and book a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2016/17 season. But it didn’t start well for the Saints, as a blunder in defence allowed the guests to take the lead after only 2 minutes. But Che Adams didn’t allow the unpleasant surprise and scored a brace in the 25th and 74th minute to finish the game.ENGLAND LEAGUE CUP – ROUND 4TuesdayWolverhampton – Gillingham 2-0 (1-0)/Jimenez 77(p), Ait Nouri (90+2)/Milton Keynes Dons – Leicester 0-3 (0-2)/Tielemans 18, Perez 28, Vardy 50/Newcastle – Bournemouth 1-0 (0-0)/Smith (og) 67/Southampton – Lincoln City 2-1 (1-1)/Che Adams 25, 74- Bazunu 2 (og)/Wednesday 22.45: (9.00) Charlton (5.00) Brighton (1.35)22.45: (3.25) Blackburn (3.30) Nott.Forest (2.25)23.00: (1.43) Man.Utd. (4.50) Burnley (7.50)Thursday 23.00: (2.00) Man.City (3.60) Liverpool (4.00)***odds are subject to change