The Carabao Cup Semi-Finals Draw Confirmed

With all the drama of the festive period and the current COVID outbreaks, the Carabao Cup has become a forgotten aspect of the 2021/22 season. However, League One outfit Sunderland made a heroic run to the quarter-finals, and plenty of the Premier League ‘big boys’ remain. So, which teams made it to the final four to face-off for a place in the Carabao Cup final?

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

The semi-final draw has pitted North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea against each other.

Chelsea’s Carabao Cup journey began with an all-Premier League third-round tie. The Blues drew Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in their first fixture, and the two sides couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes. They were victorious in the penalty shoot-out after both Ashley Young and Marvelous Nakamba missed from 12 yards.

The round of 16 followed a similar pattern for Chelsea. They didn’t beat Southampton in normal time - a 1-1 draw similar to Aston Villa - but the London side managed to come out on top in the Penalty shootout again. This victory led them to a quarter-final tie with Brentford.

For the first time in the tournament, Chelsea managed to win the game in 90 minutes. A late Pontus Jansson own goal and a Jorginho penalty were enough to advance Thomas Tuchel’s side.

In the semi-finals, they will play a two-legged tie against London rivals Tottenham - a team they beat 3-0 in September.

As for Tottenham, they also had to conquer a penalty shootout to make it to the semi-finals. In the third round, they drew 2-2 with Wolverhampton Wanderers before getting the better of the midlands side on penalties. In the round of 16, they played an uneventful tie with Burnley. They got the 1-0 win at Turf Moor to get another all-London tie in the quarter-finals.

Spurs had to beat West Ham for a place in the semi’s.  The Hammers were full of confidence after beating reigning Carabao Cup holders Manchester City, but Tottenham ran out 2-1 victors.

They will play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the 4th of January before the second leg takes place at Tottenham Hotspur stadium on the 11th of January.

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Arsenal vs Liverpool

The other semi-final is Arsenal against Liverpool. Both sides had contrasting routes to the final four, and now they’ll play a two-legged tie for a spot in the Carabao Cup final.

Arsenal took the long road to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. Their journey began in the second round due to their lack of European football, and they drew Championship side West Brom. They dominated the Baggies 6-0 before dispatching League One side Wimbledon in the round after.

They faced their first Premier League opponent in the round of 16 when they drew Leeds United. They had a comfortable 2-0 victory at the Emirates, securing a spot in the final eight. This spot in the final eight drew them against their third lower-tier opponent in Sunderland. A 5-1 victory sets them up with their toughest test of the tournament against Liverpool in the semis.

As for Liverpool, they’ve played a blended squad for much of the tournament. The Carabao Cup provides the opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to rest his players, but the Reds find themselves a game away from the final.

In the third round, Liverpool passed Norwich comfortably with a 3-0 win at Carrow Road. Another comfortable win came in the round of 16 when they faced Preston North End. The Championship side couldn’t muster a victory and lost 2-0 to Klopp’s side.

To get a spot in the semis, Liverpool had to beat Leicester at Anfield. They went 3-1 down to Brendan Rodgers’ side but late goals from Minamino and Jota tied the game and took it to penalties.

Liverpool won the shootout and they now will face Arsenal at the Emirates on the 4th of January before the game at Anfield on the 11th of January.