Arsenal make it to the semifinals of Carabao after their 1-0 victory over West Ham yesterday.
Danny Welbeck’s scrappy first-half goal kept alive Arsene Wenger’s hopes of winning this competition for the first time, even though this performance was hardly that of title-winners.
Welbeck bundled home from close range in the 42nd minute with one of just two quality chances the Gunners created, in what was a dull affair between two sides playing each other for the second time in six days.
It was enough to put Arsenal into the Carabao Cup semifinals, a double-edged achievement that puts the team three games away from a trophy but also congests an already busy January schedule.
After a rousing fightback – aided by a questionable penalty – Leicester flopped to a tame exit, with Vardy and Mahrez’s missing in the shootout.
Guardiola is ecstatic, especially with his rookies, most of whom performed very well – especially Zinchenko and, because of a very composed penalty in the shootout on his senior debut, Nmecha.
Man City were beatable today, yet remain invincible in England this season.
Manchester City were very clinical with their penalties with neat slotting from Toure, Gundogan, Nmecha and Gabriel Jesus.
Leicester were also clinical but their goal machine Vardy blasted his penalty wide.
Tonight Chelsea face Bournemouth at 2245 hours to fight for a spot in the semi-finals.
Manchester United will battle it against Bristol City at 2300 hours.
The winners of tonight’s fixtures will meet either Manchester City or Arsenal in the semi-finals.