Everton – Manchester United: United Control the Centre And Progress (0-2)

Ole Gunnar Solskjær will have another semi-final to look forward to, as his Manchester United team dominated proceedings at Goodison Park. Though their chance creation was not supreme, the movement of their midfielders pulled their opponents apart before goals in the last two minutes delivered a crushing blow to Everton’s hopes of a much-needed trophy. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

The League Cup may be the least prestigious out of England’s domestic competitions, but after twenty-five years without adding to the cabinet, Everton needs a trophy. This has embodied why they hired Carlo Ancelotti; a serial-winner, the man who knows how to win and establish clubs at the very top of their leagues.

A year into his appointment, Ancelotti’s only other cup experience came at the start of his tenure, a shameful defeat away to Liverpool. Everton convincingly knocked out Salford City, Fleetwood Town and West Ham United, to get to the quarter-finals of the only domestic competition they are yet to win.

For Manchester United, the League Cup resembles more of an interference than an asset, especially with European competition to focus on. However, they remain trophyless under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and with his credibility forever in the balance, lifting a trophy for the first time in four years would help his case.

Ancelotti made three changes, the team that beat Arsenal, in his 4-3-3 structure. Robin Olsen returned in goal, with Seamus Coleman and André Gomes in the right-back and center-midfield roles. Solskjær made nine changes to the team that thumped Leeds United at the weekend. Only Harry Maguire . . .

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Joel Parker (24) is an Everton fan. Whenever he’s not watching his beloved Everton, Joel spends his time analyzing all sorts of football. Chief editor and Founder of Toffee Analysis. [ View all posts ]

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