“Hat Trick” is a column by Marco Haynes about the English Premier League in which he breaks down the week’s three most consequential results.
Van Dijk’s extra-time winner gives Liverpool first silverware of the season
The first major trophy of the season has gone to Liverpool, which won 1-0 against Chelsea in extra time in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
Neither side could break the deadlock in normal time. In the first half, the best chance fell to Chelsea: a 6-yard attempt by winger Raheem Sterling against his former team was canceled out by a VAR check for a marginal offside on striker Nicolas Jackson’s run preceding the shot.
The second half’s best opportunity fell to the head of captain Virgil Van Dijk, who appeared to score from fullback Andrew Robertson’s set-piece delivery into the penalty box. However, the chance was also ruled out by VAR due to a foul Wataru Endō committed by obstructing Chelsea defender Levi Collwill while in an offside position.
A goalless 90 minutes meant extra time. The deadlock was broken in the 118th minute, fullback Kostas Tsimikas’s corner-kick was received again by Van Dijk’s head, this time at the near post, where he found the bottom left corner to seal the victory for the Reds.
Manager Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour has started with a bang. With the win, Liverpool earned the club’s 10th English League Cup trophy — the most by any team in the competition’s history. Liverpool also made it three consecutive wins against Chelsea in their last three cup final meetings. The Reds are in contention to win the quadruple, as they sit at the top of the Premier League and remain in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Liverpool ended the match with several young academy graduates on the field as the team faces somewhat of an injury crisis. Several key players, such as Mohammed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, were not in the matchday squad. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch also had to be stretchered off the field during the final, adding to the team’s injured list.
Liverpool return against Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday, hoping their good fortunes in cup competitions will continue.
Chelsea and manager Mauricio Pochettino continue to be disappointed at the team’s ability to finish key opportunities. Winger Cole Palmer missed three chances inside the penalty box and the Blues have now lost their last three EFL Cup finals. Giving the pressure Pochettino already faced due to the team’s league position, losing out on a potential first piece of silverware to mark his reign as coach will hurt. His personal record against Jurgen Klopp, going back to his days as Tottenham Hotspur manager, is now winless in the last eight matches. Chelsea are also back in cup competition action, taking on Leeds United in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge.
Phil Foden’s first-half goal pushes Man City forward in the title race
It was an unconvincing showing by Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium facing Bournemoth, but manager Pep Guardiola’s squad managed to scrape a 1-0 win to keep pace in the title race.
The Citizens took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half from a Erling Haaland shot inside the penalty box that Neto parried to midfielder Phil Foden to tap in.
In the second half, the hosts Bournemouth ramped up the pressure on City but were unable to find an equalizer, with midfielder Marcus Tavernier wasting two great chances. Late on, left winger Antoine Semenyo’s cross landed on the head of substitute striker Enes Unal, who redirected the ball but only hit the woodwork.
Man City moved back to second place with the win, closing the gap to one point behind Liverpool in first. The Citizens now have nine away wins this season — the most out of all Premier League clubs.
Phil Foden also added to his tally of 16 goals in all competitions, his most in a season since 2020-21, underscoring his importance to the squad following Ilkay Gundogan’s summer departure. City returns to action in the FA Cup fifth round, facing Luton Town on Tuesday before a Manchester derby in the league on Sunday.
The opportunities the Cherries missed will be on manager Andoni Iraola’s mind, with his team sitting in 14th position, eight points from the relegation zone. They’re now winless in seven matches since they defeated Fulham 3-0 on Boxing Day.
Since being promoted twice to the Premier League in 2014-15 and 2021-2022, Bournemouth have never won against Man City, losing 14 out of 20 games they faced against each other in the top-flight. The Cherries return in the FA Cup fifth round against Leicester City on Tuesday.
A last-gasp Alex Iwobi goal defeats European hopefuls Man United
Manchester United suffered a last-minute 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford, a setback to United’s push for a Champions League spot.
An entertaining first half nonetheless ended goalless, with Fulham forward Rodrigo Munoz having the best chance of the period, which hit the right post after spinning past defender Victor Lindelof.
The away side had many wasted chances, but eventually found the opener through defender Calvin Bassey, who struck his shot with power into the back of the net after hitting his first effort into teammate Timothy Castagne inside the penalty area.
Center back Harry Maguire rescued the Red Devils before stoppage time when he found himself at the edge of 6-yard box to rebound in Bruno Fernandes’s long-distance curler, leveling the scoreline at 1-1.
The game wasn’t over, though. Midfielder Alex Iwobi had the final say, snatching the winner at the death for his team with a shot inside the penalty area that surprisingly found the bottom left corner, leaving United keeper Andre Onana flat-footed.
A disappointing result keeps Manchester United in sixth place, eight points from fourth-place Aston Villa after their own win this weekend. Going into the match, the Red Devils had won four league matches in a row, scoring 11 goals — the home side also were unbeaten in 2024. Man United will look to bounce back in the FA Cup fifth round traveling to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday before their trip to Manchester City in the league.
A deserving away victory for Fulham helped the club remain in 12th position, four points from 10th place. It’s been 12 years since the Cottagers’ last victory at Old Trafford, when they won 3-1 in 2003.
Fulham was also without star defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, who was serving a three-match suspension for receiving ten yellow cards. Fulham will take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage in the league next weekend.
“Hat Trick” runs every Tuesday.