
<p>Manchester United did not have to win to reach the 2022/23 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/league-cup-tv-schedule/">Carabao Cup</a> Final. The Red Devils entered the game with a three-goal edge over Nottingham Forest from the first leg of the semi-final played at City Ground.</p>



<p>However, the two-goal win in the return leg at <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1620904227164790784" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Trafford</a> on Wednesday night helps a side already riding a wave of confidence. Anthony Martial and Fred grabbed the goals in quick succession in the second half.</p>



<p>As a reward for winning 5-0 on aggregate, Manchester United sets up a final at Wembley with Newcastle United on February 26, live on <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a>. In the other semi-final, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/longstaff-brace-puts-newcastle-in-carabao-cup-final-20230131-WST-417791.html">Magpies saw off Southampton</a>. Just like Manchester United, Newcastle picked up wins in both the legs of its semifinal.</p>



<h5>Somewhat dreary contest</h5>



<p>The rain-soaked Old Trafford on Wednesday epitomized the game. A dull first half ensued as United had the tie wrapped up before the first whistle blew. Erik ten Hag’s side just had to avoid a shocking upset at the hands of the team at the bottom of the <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/tables" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League table</a>.</p>



<p>A defensive lineup was a surprise to no one for ten Hag. At the same time, he did not have to play the likes of Rashford or Martial. Instead, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho linked with Wout Weghorst.</p>



<p>Yet, it was not that front three that featured on the scoresheet. Instead, it was Martial, off the bench, that gave United the opener that all but put the tie to bed. The Frenchman replaced Wout Weghorst in the 63rd minute. Then, 10 minutes later, he got fortunate to grab a goal. Originally, Martial tried to play a ball in through to Rashford, but he underhit the pass. The rebound off the defender popped straight to Martial, who took matters into his own hands.</p>



<p>The second goal was much more appealing on the eye. Bruno Fernandes whipped in a ball with the outside of his right foot 20 yards from goal. Rashford awaited on the back post, as he centered it for Fred. All the Brazilian had to do was make contact for United’s second.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This pass from Bruno to setup Man United&apos;s second goal 😱 <a href="https://t.co/CLaGpKBDUR">pic.twitter.com/CLaGpKBDUR</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1620899264233889792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Another major celebration for United was the return of Jadon Sancho. The English forward missed considerable time with fitness problems. This was his first game back since late October. </p>



<p>Fred, starting the game to shore things up defensively, added the insurance goal on the night just three minutes later. It was a comfortable performance from United. Forest only mustered 26% of the possession, testing Tom Heaton in goal three times.</p>



<h2>Newcastle awaits Man United in Carabao Cup Final</h2>



<p>United advancing sets up a major clash with another team towards the top of the Premier League table. Newcastle United, one of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-newcastle-could-contend-for-the-premier-league-20221229-WST-413496.html">best teams in England this season</a>, cruised into the Carabao Cup Final. The two clubs sit third and fourth in the Premier League table, and played a feisty draw earlier in the season.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Manchester United v. Newcastle United | PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | 10/16/2022 | NBC Sports" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dvZM52uye50?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>In that game, Cristiano Ronaldo thought he scored the only goal of the game, but it came back as the play never started. United had numerous chances to go in front. However, Newcastle, which has conceded just 11 goals in the Premier League this season, held on for a draw.</p>



<p>The Carabao Cup Final is scheduled for Feb. 26 from Wembley Stadium. The game will be shown on <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a>, which is part of the <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disney Bundle</a>. Priced at $12.99/month, the Disney Bundle includes ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportimage</em></p>


Manchester United won 2-0 versus Nottingham Forest in the second leg of its Carabao Cup Semifinal, launching it to the final later this month.

Man United defeats Forest to reach Carabao Cup Final - World Soccer Talk

Man United defeats Forest to reach Carabao Cup Final

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<p>Southampton surprisingly beat <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> 2-0 at home on Wednesday in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/league-cup-tv-schedule/">Carabao Cup</a>. The victory advances the Saints to the semifinals of the tournament. </p>



<p>Superb goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo propelled the hosts past one of the most dominant sides in the competition’s recent history. Not only was the final scoreline shocking, but City actually failed to record a shot on target during the entire match.</p>



<p>The hosts entered the game having lost six consecutive <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> matches and sit <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/tables" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bottom of the table</a>. In fact, they hadn’t beaten a top flight side at home since August. Southampton scraped by two League One opponents at home in previous Carabao Cup rounds.</p>



<p>City, on the other hand, had been flying. The reining Premier League champions had only lost one of their last dozen matches in all competitions prior to Wednesday. Pep Guardiola’s team also won all of their last eight quarterfinal league cup games entering the night.</p>



<h2>Southampton sinks City with two sensational Carabao Cup goals</h2>



<p>Nevertheless, Southampton got off to a flying start. 20-year-old Sekou Mara put the hosts in front after 23 minutes. Defender Lyanco collected a loose ball and found the young Frenchman at the edge of the box. Mara struck a first time shot straight into City’s net. It was a perfectly finished goal. </p>



<p>As good as the finish was, Southampton’s second goal was even better. Moussa Djenepo lobbed City’s goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from long range to double the Saints’ lead just five minutes later. It was a gorgeous goal by the versatile midfielder. The strike was Djenepo’s first goal for the club in nearly two years.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SOUTHAMPTON 2-0 MAN CITY 😱<br><br>WHAT A GOAL! <a href="https://t.co/rN0cgmaQAV">pic.twitter.com/rN0cgmaQAV</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1613272739091210241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>It was also the first time since August that City faced a 2-0 deficit. The Citizens actually came back to win that game 4-2. Realizing changes needed to be made, Guardiola introduced three substitutions for the start of the second half. One of the trio was superstar midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.</p>



<p>While City did play fairly better with their normal stars on the pitch, all of the credit goes to Southampton. The South Coast club dominated the league champs throughout the match. Despite having just 27% possession, the Saints were easily the better side on the night.</p>



<h5>Carabao Cup semifinals</h5>



<p>After the game, the semifinal draw came out for the Carabao Cup semifinals. Southampton will host Newcastle United, while Nottingham Forest play Manchester United.</p>



<p>Dates and fixtures times are not yet available for the Carabao Cup semifinals.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Southampton advanced to the Carabao Cup semifinals after beating Manchester City 2-0 in front of their home crowd.

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