This archive report was first published on 23 December 2021.
December 22, 2021, marked a thrilling night in English football as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur reached the League Cup semifinals.
Chelsea, led by manager Thomas Tuchel, made eight changes to their lineup, featuring three teenage debutants, and still managed to secure a 2-0 victory over Brentford. The win was largely thanks to an own goal by Pontus Jansson in the 80th minute and a penalty kick by Jorginho.
Meanwhile, Liverpool, who made 10 changes to their lineup, came back from a 3-1 deficit to draw 3-3 with Leicester City. The match went to penalties, where Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher proved to be the hero, saving two crucial shots to send his team to the semifinals.
Tottenham Hotspur, led by manager Antonio Conte, secured a 2-1 win over West Ham United, with all three goals scored in a five-minute span in the first half.
The semifinals are scheduled for two legs in January, with Chelsea set to face Tottenham, Liverpool facing Arsenal, and West Ham taking on Leicester City.
"It's good for Tottenham to reach the semi-finals of this competition," Conte said. "You can see the names of these teams that have reached the semi-finals -- Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal with us -- so every side wants to try to lift this trophy. Now I'm seeing in England to win a trophy is very difficult."
