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BY DAVID SAFFER Liverpool won an enthralling Carabao Cup final 11-10 on penalties against Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp’s number two ‘keeper Caoimhin Kelleher clinically put his team 11-10 ahead in the shootout before Blues substitute keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga blazed over the crossbar to hand the trophy to the Reds following a 120-minute goalless thriller at Wembley that saw four disallowed goals including three for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Chelsea boss’ last gasp decision to bring on penalty specialist Kepa for man of the match Edouard Mendy ultimately backfired. Tuchel’s sentiment was understandable as Kepa had kept goal in earlier rounds, but Mendy had made a string of saves to deny Liverpool during the game.

Match winner Kelleher, in for regular Reds keeper Alisson Becker, deservedly had his day in the limelight and enjoyed a fine game in goal.

A terrific open game saw Kelleher deny Christian Pulisic with a point blank save in the first half before Mendy saved from Naby Keita and Sadio Mane on the half hour. Chelsea’s Mason Mount missed from close range just before half time then struck a post on the resumption.

Liverpool also went close, Mo Salah having an effort cleared off the line before VAR controversially ruled out a Joel Matip goal. Mendy stopped two Luis Diaz efforts then brilliantly denied Virgil van Dijk in stoppage time. Into extra time and Kelleher saved from Romelu Lukaku before Lukaku and Kai Havertz, for a second time, had efforts chalked off for offside.

Klopp told Sky Sports: “I am happy for the people to celebrate something like this. Chelsea are incredibly strong, we matched each other.”

Kelleher described his winning penalty as “more hit and hope”. He told Sky Sports, “I got close to a few but all the penalties were very high quality, thankfully we were able to win.”

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson told Sky Sports: “It was amazing, (it’s) very special to win trophies at this football club. Always difficult when it goes to penalties. We have used all the squad, academy, first team, all chipped in which makes it really special.” After celebrating a first domestic cup final win for a decade Liverpool will attempt to close the gap again on Premier League pacesetters Manchester City who are six points ahead following a 1-0 win against Everton at Goodison Park. Phil Foden scored the all-important 78th minute winner but Frank Lampard’s side had a penalty controversially ruled out when Rodri looked to have handled.

The battle for Champions League spots is hotting up with West Ham closing the gap on Manchester United after a 1-0 win over Wolves courtesy of a Tomas Soucek strike.

The Reds dropped points at home to Watford. Arsenal, who didn’t have a game due to the cup final, are level on points with the Hammers and also have three games in hand on both clubs.

The Gunners have played a game fewer than north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who bounced back to winning ways with a 4-0 triumph against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Matt Doherty, Dejan Kulusevski and Harry Kane’s settled the contest inside 30 minutes. Son Heung-min completed the scoring in the second half to the delight of head coach Antonio Conte.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was sacked after the game with his side two points above the relegation zone.

Bielsa’s near four-year tenure at the club brought the club back into the top flight after a 16-year absence and his departure was the “toughest decision” for club chairman Andrea Radrizzani.

“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road,” he said in a statement. “He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all.” Radrizzani added: “I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status.”

Newcastle United look to be pulling clear in an intriguing relegation scrap and enjoyed a 2-0 win at Brentford who had Josh Dasilva sent off amidst a poor run of form.

Burnley drew 1-1 at Crystal Palace but lost 2-0 to Leicester City, James Maddison and Jamie Vardy hitting late goals at Turf Moor on Tuesday night.

The Clarets remain in the drop zone with Watford and Norwich, who lost 2-0 at Southampton.

With eight points separating the bottom seven clubs the relegation battle will be nerve jangling for fans of teams involved at the wrong end of the table. BY DAVID SAFFER Giantkillers NWL Azzurri thumped Premier outfit Faithfold White 5-1 in the third round of the Peter Morrison Trophy.

The Division One side came up trumps with Danny Miracco, Ollie Miracco, Aron Gale, Zak Jackson and Solly Bradley hitting the target in a memorable win for the club.

“I’m really happy with performance and result,” said coach Matt Spelman. “We’ve got a good record against Premier sides, wanted to extend it and progress in the cup. The boys worked hard and put in a real shift, playing quality football all over the pitch. Bring on the next round.”

Treble chasing Hendon United Sports did not need their ‘A’ game to despatch Club de Chigwell in an all-Premier clash.

Akiva Soloman and Rocky Spitzer scored in a 2-1 win.

“We weren’t quite at our best but full credit to Chigwell,” said Hendon’s Dave Garbacz. “They were down to the bare bones but gave us a real scare. We are safely in the hat though for the next round which is all that counts and the treble is still on.”

In other ties Manchester Maccabi routed Geez Park Rangers 7-1, MSFL Vets overcame Stoke Salmon 2-0.

The Division One pacesetters now turn their attentions to wrapping up the title.

Away from the cup action HMH eased to a 4-1 Premier League win at home to Maccabi London FC.

HMH boss Avi Goldberg was delighted with a sixth successive home triumph as his side closed the gap to nine points against league favourites Hendon.

Adam Abadi struck twice for HMH. Alex Moss hit the target and Clark Norton also found the net on his return to the side following a long-term injury.

“It was comfortable win in a game we dominated,” commented Goldberg.

In Division One, Temple Fortune enjoyed a fine 3-2 win over third place Mill Hill Dons. Danny Sherman, Allon Hershkon and Conor Brand scored for the victors.

Hampstead Ducks thumped bottom club Straw Hat Pirates 8-1. Ariel Rahamim hit a hat trick, Jono Gaon and Josh Bloom bagged

Kepa clanger hands Klopp Cup

BY DAVID SAFFER Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup.

Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, David Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali completed the rout in a mismatch of a tie.

Lions could have scored in the opening minute of the clash but soon opened the scoring and led 9-0 by half time.

Th e Division One team, though outclassed, battled away to the end.

Lions boss was lost for words at full time such was the display from his team who gave every respect to the opposition.

“I’m not really sure there’s anything to say, we are happy to make it through to the next round of the cup,” he commented.

Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors against League One outfi t North London Raiders.

Th e Premier side led early in the second half only for Raiders to equalise but struck two late goals to book a place in round three of the competition. Azzuri hit five to stun Faithfold in Cup Hendon now turn their attentions to the league as they travel to Oakwood A for a crucial top of the table clash on Sunday (10am).

Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league leaders last month when they won 2-0, a victory would move them to within a point a brace, Daniel Hardoon also scored. “They of Hendon with a match in hand. had no answer to our attacking formation

Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, and way we marshalled the game,” said 10-man North London Galaxy made it a Jacob Summerfield of the Ducks. three-way title race in the only Division One London Athletico moved alongside Diviclash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. sion Two leaders Rangers with a resound-

Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy ing 7-0 win against Qarabagel. Rangers rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Ja- remain title favourites having played two cob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away less games. win. Zacki Doumou hit four goals, Jake

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in Downes (2) and Jason Burns also scored. the table by just one point after 10 matches, Third place Boca Chillers ran out 4-1 third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points be- winners at Temple Fortune, James Belchak hind with two games in hand. hitting a hat-trick.

Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. Real Madreidel won 3-2 at Oakwood

“It was a fantastic performance in a Town, Redbridge Jewish Care White defeated Camden City 2-0.

must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-manager Luke Lewis.

“We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace.

“Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the fi rst one into Cohen to fi nish, before slotting home himself. Up to fi rst we go.”

Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune.

Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters.

Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season.

Th e result was all the more remarkable as Temple were down to 11 players with ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder in the warm up.

“Th is was a fantastic win given the circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden.

“We had a number of players out, Rebuck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked any more from the players. We wish Ben a speedy recovery.

“It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.”

He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and everyone associated with the club from day

Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.”

one will enjoy.” Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to wish Rebuck well following his injury. “First and most importantly, everyone at Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper a quick recovery, we hope to see him back on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he said. As for the defeat, Emanuel commented, “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you have, you can never account for unavailability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team played in our recent win over FC Team, a lack of togetherness and poor individual

16-goal Maccabi London Lions PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

Jordan Henderson led Liverpool to cup glory PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK