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Defending champions Manchester City have crashed out of the English League Cup after substitutes Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne failed to inspire a fightback in a shock 2-0 quarter-final defeat to Premier League strugglers Southampton.
Thrilling first-half goals from Saints pair Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo stunned the eight-time winners on an extraordinary evening at St Mary’s.
In the other last-eight clash on Wednesday, hosts Nottingham Forest defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 on penalties after it ended 1-1 in normal time.
City manager Pep Guardiola began with Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench for the second successive game ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
But, unlike on Sunday when the influential pair were not required in a thumping 4-0 FA Cup victory over Chelsea, the decision backfired as they were unable to prevent City suffering elimination.
“The better team won. We didn’t play good … There are many games you can start not good and overcome and we didn’t do it,” Guardiola said.
“Today was a bad night, the opponent was better so we have to congratulate them. To win games you have to deserve it and tonight we didn’t deserve it.”
Nathan Jones’ bottom-of-the-table EPL side fully merited victory and secured their first League Cup semi-final appearance, against Newcastle United, since finishing runners-up in 2017.
“I thought we were excellent as a team,” Jones said.
“We were aggressive, we were organised, we went after the game, it wasn’t a smash and grab.
“I’ve had people calling me out, I’ve even had non-league managers calling me out saying I’m not good enough.
“It’s a proud moment for me. To be on the same level as him (Guardiola) is wonderful, it’s what I’ve worked very, very hard over my 33-year career to do.”
At the City Ground, Dean Henderson was the hero for Forest as he kept out spot-kicks from Ruben Neves and Joe Hodge to eliminate Wolves.
The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper, though, will be ineligible for the two-legged last-four tie against his parent club, unless United give written permission for him to play.
That appears unlikely after this display as Forest made it through to the semis of the competition they’ve won four times.
“I have only just thought of that, it is frustrating,” Forest manager Steve Cooper said of Henderson’s ineligibility.
“After seeing the night he had tonight … it’s unfortunate.
“He’s part of our group … it has put a dampener on it for me tonight.”
Forest took a deserved lead in the 18th minute as the goal was made and finished by two Molineux old boys.
Morgan Gibbs-White whipped in a dangerous corner, which was deflected on to the crossbar and Wily Boly was on hand to poke home.
Boly showed his respect for the club he played for almost 150 times by refusing to celebrate.
After numerous chances for both teams, Wolves levelled in the 64th.
They worked the ball out to the right, Matheus Cunha put it across goal and Raul Jimenez could not miss.
A bad-blooded encounter ended with a mass brawl on the pitch after the penalty shootout.
SEMI-FINAL DRAW:
Nottingham Forest v Manchester United
Southampton v Newcastle United
Matches will take place in the weeks commencing January 23 and 30.
© AAP
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