Well, that was a pretty entertaining Carabao Cup fourth round, eh?
30 goals were scored across the round’s eight matches and a number of high-profile meetings between Premier League sides caught the eye. Unfortunately for the neutral, all three Championship teams previously left in the competition have now exited.
There were some sensational performances across the various ties, with both first-team stars and more peripheral figures dazzling.
Here were the best seven players in the fourth round – ranked.
Could Crystal Palace’s fortunes be turning? The Eagles beat Aston Villa in their fourth round clash on the road, building on a first Premier League victory of the season against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Key to their triumph at Villa Park was Daniel Munoz. The energetic wing-back dazzled in the early days of his Palace career but his dwindling performances have matched the rest of his teammate’s in recent weeks. This was the Colombian back to his best.
After assisting Eberechi Eze’s early strike, Munoz was a constant threat down the right-hand side. He created a game-high four chances, managed three successful crosses and made seven passes into the final third. The 28-year-old also won all five of his tackles to frustrate Jaden Philogene.
Sandro Tonali’s lengthy ban has undoubtedly set his career back but the midfielder is beginning to make up for lost time. Wednesday’s performance in Newcastle United’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea saw him shine.
The Italian set the tempo in the engine room with his pressing, forcing the turnover from which Alexander Isak scored the opening goal of the game. His energy was infectious in the centre of the park.
He forged three chances as he flexed his creative muscles but notably stood firm defensively against a strong Chelsea lineup. A combined eight interceptions, blocks and recoveries highlights his importance in stifling the Blues.
Tottenham were made to work hard for progression into the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup but they once again prevailed against one of their favoured opponents.
A 2-1 victory over Manchester City was made possible by the tremendous display of Rodrigo Bentancur as he anchored the Spurs midfield. The Uruguayan worked relentlessly out of possession to ensure City’s creative sparks had no room to function, while also being typically tidy on the ball.
Bentancur’s 14 defensive actions were unmatched and five higher than next best Cristian Romero. Two tackles, two interceptions and eight clearances helped keep the Premier League champions at bay for long enough.
Bruno Fernandes got off the mark for the season in Man Utd’s demolition of Leicester City on Wednesday. It was 14th time lucky for the Portuguese playmaker, who ended with a brace in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first and potentially only game as interim manager.
The attacking midfielder was fortunate to see his free-kick ricochet beyond Danny Ward but his second showed the composure and quality of the skipper as he rounded the goalkeeper and thumped home from close range.
It was a masterful creative performance against an admittedly apathetic Leicester defence and could kickstart his season ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri had already offered an insight into his brilliance in the third round, bagging a brace in Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing of League One Bolton Wanderers. The teenager again showed his immense potential at Deepdale against Preston North End.
Arsenal strolled to a 3-0 victory with little resistance and it was Nwaneri who was pulling the strings for a much-changed lineup.
Nwaneri doubled Arsenal’s first-half lead with a sensational strike on a Wednesday full of top-notch goals, collecting Gabriel Jesus’ pass before opening his body up and curling a precise finish into Freddie Woodman’s top corner. The youngster also struck the bar as he chased successive Carabao Cup doubles.
This kid has a bright future, that’s for certain.
Cody Gakpo adores playing in the Carabao Cup. He was instrumental as Liverpool lifted the trophy last season and continued his fine goalscoring form in the competition during this term’s third round annihilation of West Ham United.
Gakpo bagged a delightful brace in the 5-1 win over the Irons and scored another pair of lovely strikes to see off Brighton & Hove Albion in Liverpool’s 3-2 victory at the AMEX Stadium.
The first was a corker as the Dutchman drove inside from the left wing and thumped an unstoppable drive past Jason Steele from an acute angle. The second saw him rob Tariq Lamptey of possession and release a venomous near-post effort to double the Reds’ lead.
Casemiro has faced his fair share of criticism over the past year but he rolled back the years in Man Utd’s victory over Leicester. A performance to dazzle the incoming Amorim, perhaps.
The Brazilian scored the goal of the competition thus far after just 15 minutes, lacing a truly spectacular strike into the top corner from 30 yards. Casemiro has always been a major threat from deliveries into the box for the Red Devils and he tucked home a second before the break as Leicester failed to clear a cross into the penalty area.
It was a defiant display from Casemiro both offensively and defensively, highlighting that he may have a little juice left in the tank after all.
