Hello there! The second leg of the EFL Cup semifinals are officially here, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur carrying advantages over Arsenal and Liverpool, respectively, into this week's decisive games.

Newcastle comfortably downed Arsenal to reach the EFL Cup final thanks to a sensational performance from Eddie Howe's side. 2-0 up heading into the evening, the tie was almost over inside four minutes when Alexander Isak rifled the ball past David Raya, only for VAR to hand Arsenal a massive let-off by adjudging the Swede fractionally offside.

Spurs' rollercoaster season has continued since the EFL Cup semi-final first leg win, requiring extra-time to see off non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup third round and losing Premier League matches to Arsenal, Everton and Leicester.

The Gunners were beaten 4-0 on aggregate by the inspired Magpies, who won 2-0 on Wednesday and progressed to their second final of this competition in three seasons.

Arsenal lacked their usual composure, according to manager Mikel Arteta, as his side bowed out of the League Cup semi-final with a 4-0 aggregate defeat by Newcastle United on Wednesday. Arteta said his team arrived with high expectations that they could overcome a 2-0 deficit from the first leg,