The draw was made today, eventually, for the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup. Manchester City beat Wolves in the last round. It was our first cup game at home for a couple of years and so, without much doubt, we returned to being drawn away. Again, to a Premiership side.
Amazingly, the draw saw the four ‘big’ sides kept apart. Both London-based clubs were drawn at home, while both Manchester clubs drawn away. Chelsea v Bournemouth, Arsenal v West Ham, Leicester City v Manchester City and Bristol City v Manchester United means it, potentially, could be all four big hitters in the final four.
More from Man City Square
- Rodri believes City can have even more success this season
- Grealish, Stones, and Kovacic will NOT play tomorrow
- My Manchester City UCL Group Stage predictions
- After Injury Guardiola is back in Etihad
- Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland
The Carabao Cup hasn’t been without its mis-steps, and yesterday’s draw was no exception. An advertised ‘live’ Twitter drawing of the Quarter Finals was delayed. It would eventually take place two hours after its advertised time. When it came, it was a pre-recorded video of the draw. The EFL instantly put out a statement that it had asked for a ‘full explanation‘ for the ‘unacceptable delay’. From a Twitter spokesman, came this:
"“We’re sorry for the issues that led to the delay of today’s round five draw. We would also like to apologise to the thousands of supporters who had been patiently awaiting news of who their team would be playing.”"
It’s not the first time the competition has messed up the drawing. Earlier, in June, the draw provided Charlton Athletic with two opponents. The Second round produced some home/away problems itself but there was nothing wrong with the last round drawing.
Well, other than the fact it was being held in China. That meant English fans had to wake at 4:15am if they wanted to watch the draw. For me, staying up until almost midnight while the draw was completed, which was way past my bed-time!
Add to that Pep Guardiola coming out to criticise the ball, and the Catastrophe Cup has been quite the experience. But, the draw is done and, if City get through, we only have to endure one more drawing, well, until next year!
For those of you who remember, in England back in the 1960’s and 70’s, there was a television show called ‘Steptoe and Son’. America took it and repackaged it under the name ‘Sandford and Son’, but they really were quite different. Anyway, it’s the Steptoe and Son theme tune which comes to mind when I hear of these draws.
Yet again, we have another re-run of a previous Cup Final. First it was West Brom (1969-70), then Wolverhampton (1973-74). League cup win and defeat respectively. Now it’s Leicester City, our opponents when we won the FA Cup in 1969.
The ties will be played the week commencing the 18th December. For City, that means a 19th December cup tie away after the late Saturday game against Spurs. A positive is that it’s a game at the Etihad and a lot of games are to be played between now and then. Bottom line, quadruple is still on!