Referees on the field and video referees certainly increase the number of questionable decisions every weekend or almost within the major European championships. But with VAR, never would the refereeing body officiating at Arsenal-Crystal Palace, Wednesday evening in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, have awarded Gabriel Jesus’ second personal goal for a blatant offside. However, in the English League Cup, video refereeing is only used from the semi-finals onwards! An aberration when this competition only the professional clubs of the country…
Arsenal won this London derby to reach the last four thanks to a hat-trick from their Brazilian striker. Jean-Philippe Mateta first opened the scoring for the Eagles at the Emirates (4th), before three nice goals from Jesus (54th, 73rd and 81st), including the second in an offside position of course, before a goal from the Gunners’ Eddie Nketiah (85th). William Saliba, left on the bench, was started as soon as the second half resumed.
Liverpool and Newcastle qualified
In the other two quarter-finals of the evening, Liverpool won at Southampton (1-2), thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez (24th) and Harvey Elliott (32nd), before a goal from the Saints signed Cameron Archer at the hour of play (59th). Newcastle was much easier against Brentford (3-1). Sandro Tonali scored twice for the Magic (9th and 43rd), Fabian Schär being the third scorer for the St. James’ Park residents (69th). Yoane Wissa only scored in added time (91st).
The latest clash pits Tottenham against Manchester United on Thursday evening in North London.
