Carabao Cup FPL notes: Rashford scores again, Weghorst off the mark, Newcastle keep 10th straight clean sheet

Fantasy Football Hub

·26 January 2023

Carabao Cup FPL notes: Rashford scores again, Weghorst off the mark, Newcastle keep 10th straight clean sheet

The first legs of the Carabao Cup semi-finals have now been played – here’s an overview of the key things to note for FPL managers.

The Carabao Cup final is due to be played in FPL Gameweek 25, which is expected to lead to a blank gameweek for some teams.

Nottingham Forest 0 – 3 Manchester United: Rashford scores again

Manchester United have one foot in the final after defeating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City ground on Wednesday (January 25).

Barring a comeback at Old Trafford next week, Erik ten Hag’s men will be heading to Wembley, meaning their FPL Gameweek 25 fixture against Brentford would be postponed.

A solo strike from Marcus Rashford (£7.2m) opened the scoring. Dribbling from inside his own half, he weaved between two defenders before beating Wayne Hennessey (£3.9m) at his near post.

Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.5m) assisted Sam Surridge (£4.7m) but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.

A fierce left-footed volley from outside the box from Gustavo Scarpa (£5.0m) was also well saved by David de Gea (£4.9m).

But it was the away side who came away comfortably on top, with Wout Weghorst (£6.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (£9.9m) also on the scoresheet.

It was Weghorst’s first goal for the club and ten Hag credited his contribution:

“I think he did a great job in Crystal Palace and in Arsenal with pressing and targets, with movements, because I think the goal from Bruno in Crystal Palace, he was part of it because he makes the movement to the front post. “The goal of Rashford in Arsenal, he was part of it because he made the space for Rashford by dragging the centre-half away. “But finally, strikers are there to score goals and when they don’t score, they are not happy. So it’s important for him, for his confidence as well, that he scores that goal, and I think this is the way – this is one of the ways – he can score goals, by being in the box and being present.”

Marcus Rashford. Picture by Getty Images

Rashford owners will have been pleased to see their man taken off after 57 minutes.

While it came shortly after he suffered a blow to the ribs from Serge Aurier (£4.5m), there was no mention post-match from ten Hag of an injury problem.

Instead the focus was on his ‘unstoppable’ performances of late. Asked about whether he had given Rashford confidence to go on the types of runs which led to his goal, ten Hag said:

“In possession we have a plan but finally also the intuition, the creativity of the individual – like Rashy – is to create chances. “So we have some of it, like Rashy, like Bruno, Antony definitely as well, Jadon Sancho is one, Martial is one, so we need these style of players. Christian Eriksen, don’t forget him. “Be creative and in the final third do something that no one expects. Some crazy stuff. We also give the team some fantasy and some adventure.”

There were more minutes for Facundo Pellistri (£4.3m) after his debut against Charlton in the last round.

His manager said he offered something ‘a little bit different’ to Antony (£7.3m) on the right.

We could see more of the Uruguayan in the FA Cup against Reading at the weekend.

Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst

Morgan Gibbs-White forced off with an injury

The midfielder has emerged as one of Forest’s key players in recent weeks but he hobbled off after 73 minutes with what appeared to be a leg injury.

Manager Steve Cooper addressed the situation after the game:

“He’s walked off with an ankle [injury] so let’s see. We’ll know I guess in the next 24-48 hours. “The physio said he’s not able to carry on – I know the body language probably looked like it was a frustrating one for him but with Morgan that’ll be equally because he had to come off, never mind being injured, because he wants to play every minute of every game.”

Morgan Gibbs-White’s recent stats

Southampton 0 – 1 Newcastle: Magpies keep 10th clean sheet in a row

Joelinton (£5.9m) gave Newcastle a slender advantage going into the second leg of the semi-final with the only goal of the game.

The Brazilian had an eventful night, seeing a first-half strike ruled out by VAR before he missed a big chance in the box.

It was another clean sheet for Eddie Howe’s team, although VAR ruled out a Saints equaliser from Adam Armstrong (£5.4m) for handball.

The Magpies also had goalkeeper Nick Pope (£5.5m) to thank for some superb saves on his way to his tenth consecutive clean sheet.

Southampton went down to ten men when Duje Caleta-Car (£4.5m) saw red in the 86th minute. He will miss his side’s FA Cup game against Blackpool at the weekend.

Should they hold on and reach the final, Newcastle’s FPL Gameweek 25 match against Brighton would have to be rearranged.

Isak continues comeback

Alexander Isak (£6.6m) made another substitute appearance on his comeback from injury, replacing Callum Wilson (£7.1m) after 67 minutes.

The Swede assisted Joelinton’s goal but Howe hinted that he was still in the process of building up to full fitness:

“He hasn’t had a lot of training time. We’ve had a lot of games and between those you can’t train the players to the intensity you want. “We’ve exposed him to the games, but at some stage he will need that training load to get to his very best levels.”

Alexander Isak. Picture by Getty Images