Manchester United travelled to Stoke City on Wednesday evening with a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup up for grabs.
An uneventful first half was stopped after 29 minutes due to heavy hail at the Britannia Stadium.
The deadlock was broken just past the hour mark when Ashley Young sent United into the lead with a stunning strike, before Patrice Evra wrapped up the victory 10 minutes from time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our League Cup coverage continues this evening as Stoke City welcome Manchester United in the quarter-finals. Sunderland and Manchester City have already booked their spot in the final four, while Tottenham Hotspur host West Ham United this evening. The draw for the semi-finals will be made once tonight’s ties have been completed.
As mentioned, the two sides have already met in the Premier League this season. Stoke twice led at Old Trafford, but eventually lost 3-2 thanks to a late strike from Javier Hernandez. Incredibly, Stoke have not beaten United in any competition since the 1993 League Cup, when Mark Stein scored twice in a 2-1 win.
Stoke have a League Cup trophy to their name after triumphing against Chelsea in the 1972 final, but they have reached the quarter-final stage just twice since that success. They do not have fond memories of their last appearance at this stage of the competition, however, after losing 1-0 to Derby County in the 2008-09 campaign.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Thomas Sorensen comes into the Stoke XI this evening in place of Asmir Begovic. There is also a start for Wilson Palacios in midfield alongside Stephen Ireland, while Peter Crouch will lead their line. United, meanwhile, select Danny Welbeck in attack. There are also starts for Anderson and Ashley Young in midfield. Full teams to follow.
TEAMS:
STOKE: Sorensen; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Walters, Palacios, Ireland, Whelan, Assaidi; Crouch
MAN UNITED: De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Cleverley, Jones, Anderson, Young; Welbeck
So there we have it. Four changes for Stoke from their 0-0 draw with Hull City in the league at the weekend with Jonathan Walters among those returning. Jermaine Pennant and Charlie Adam, meanwhile, are named on the bench. Darren Fletcher is also on the bench for United, as is young stopper Sam Johnstone. Nani is also fit for a place in the squad, but there is no Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic.
Stoke opened their League Cup campaign at the end of August when they overcame Walsall 3-1 in this stadium. They were on the road to Tranmere Rovers in the next round, but continued their progress with a 2-0 win. Their last match produced the tie of the round as they overcame Birmingham City on penalties after a 4-4 draw at the home of the Championship outfit.
United, meanwhile, have had to win just twice, both at Old Trafford, to advance to this stage of the competition. Rivals Liverpool waited at the end of September, but Javier Hernandez’s second-half strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win. Norwich City were the visitors in the next round, but they were dispatched 4-0 at the end of October.
In terms of the Premier League, it has been a mixed bag for Stoke thus far. The Potters are almost unrecognisable from the team under Tony Pulis, with new boss Mark Hughes putting his stamp on the club with a particular style of football. They have had some success, but it was been one step forward, one step back in the early part of the campaign.
As it stands, they sit 13th in the league table having won four, drawn six and lost six of their 16 matches. They are in the middle of a strong run of form, however, having lost just one of their last six games. Their last match in this stadium was a cracker for the supporters as they beat Chelsea by the odd goal in five.
Goals have been a problem for the Potters this season, however, with just 15 goals in their 16 matches. The fact that Charlie Adam is their top scorer with three goals is an indication of their troubles. Down the other end, they have conceded 20 times, which is just five more than Everton and Southampton, who currently boast the best record at this stage of the campaign.
United, meanwhile, are in the middle of a transitional period. Performances and results in the league have not been good enough this season, although David Moyes did lead his side comfortably into the knockout stages of the Champions League, where they were drawn against Greek outfit Olimpiakos earlier in the week.
After 16 matches, United sit eighth in the Premier League table. They have won seven, drawn four and lost five in the league this season, including recent back-to-back 1-0 home defeats against Everton and Newcastle United. They did embark on a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions earlier in the season, but it has been a case of one step forward, two steps back.
BREAKING NEWS: Some bad news for the Premier League champions - United boss David Moyes has just told Sky Sports News that Wayne Rooney is injured. When questioned whether the England international will be fit for the Christmas period, the Scot replied: "We hope so".
There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, with recent wins over Shahktar Donetsk and Aston Villa. Defence has not been a problem for United this season with just 19 conceded in the league, which is just one more than the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool and two more than Arsenal.
It has been down the other end where they have struggled. Moyes’s side have managed just 25 goals in their 16 matches, which is 22 less than Manchester City. It is also less than Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton, who are all above them in the table. Robin van Persie’s recent injury has only further hampered United’s chances of improving their goal total.
There have been positives, however, with the emergence of gifted youngster Adnan Januzaj and the performances of Wayne Rooney, who has scored 10 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions. Phil Jones has also come of age in the last couple of weeks and with investment expected in January, it is not all bad news for the club.
As mentioned, United won the League Cup in 2010 with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, but they have been beaten by West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Chelsea in recent seasons. This particular competition would not have been a priority at the start of the season, but a trophy is a trophy and winning breeds confidence in the squad.
United will have fond memories of their last trip to Britannia after picking up a 2-0 win in the Premier League last season. However, the league clash in September 2011 ended in a 1-1 draw. Stoke have lost just one of their eight league matches at the Britannia this season, but United have the second-best record on the road, winning four of their eight matches away from Old Trafford.
PREDICTION: It must be said that the weather is terrible in Stoke this evening. The rain is pouring the wind is blowing, which will make for an interesting match. Both sides have made changes, but there are plenty of attacking personnel on the pitch. I am not expecting too many goals, but I think United will shade it, just. My score prediction is 2-1 United.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a strong atmosphere. Let's hope for an entertaining fixture on this cold evening in Stoke. The home side get this League Cup quarter-final clash underway at the Britannia.
Positive start from the home side as Whelan picks up possession in midfield before hitting one long towards Crouch, but Evra is on hand to clear the danger. Stoke force an early set piece down their right moments later, but Whelan's delivery is cleared by Cleverley, before Young wins a throw on the counter attack.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for United as Welbeck finds Young just inside the box, it sits up nicely for the winger, who hits one towards the top corner, but it smashes into the side netting. First real opportunity falls the way of the Premier League champions. End-to-end start at the Britannia Stadium.
It really is a dreadful evening with the wind making it difficult for either side to accurately switch the play. Stoke continue to look long towards Crouch, but the ball is moving all over the place. There seems to be a problem for Evra moments later as the French defender falls awkwardly following a high challenge with Walters. However, the United defender appears fit to continue.
Not the best defending from United as Smalling, Jones and Evans attempt to play from the back, but the former is forced to kick into touch. Just a few signs that the away side are starting to take control of the possession with plenty of touches in midfield. Young has been a threat for United in the opening eight minutes of football.
It's good work from the home side as Walters finds some space down the right before delivering a cross towards the far post, but Rafael is on hand to head clear. United enjoy a passing sequence in midfield moments later, but the move breaks down when Assaidi hassles Rafael off the ball. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock.
First strike on goal for the home side as Cameron combines with Ireland before attempting to test De Gea from distance, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The United supporters are in fine voice in the early exchanges as the match continues to flow from end-to-end. However, just the one clear chance thus far, with Young hitting the side netting in the early exchanges.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Stoke prepared to let United have possession of the ball in their own half. United look long for Welbeck twice in quick succession, but the striker is left isolated. Stoke, meanwhile, are just struggling to find their passing rhythm in the final third.
It's good work down the right for United as Valencia combines with Rafael, but his cross is cut out inside the area. Plenty of possession for the away side, especially in midfield, but Welbeck has not seen too much of the ball thus far. Evra delivers a cross into the box moments later, but Wilson heads clear.
There is a pattern emerging with United dominating the possession, but struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Welbeck continues to make runs into the channels, but has been frustrated in the opening 20 minutes. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about, meanwhile, with attacking pressure from the Potters very much at a premium. Assaidi has a shot moments later, but it curls harmlessly over the bar.
Better from Stoke in the last couple of moments with Assaidi seeing more of the ball, but the on-loan Liverpool winger cannot combine with Crouch outside the box. United are on the counter moments later and force a corner from Cameron, but Young's delivery moves straight out for a throw. Poor from the winger.
Sight of goal for United as Anderson collects possession outside the box before attempting to sneak one into the bottom corner, but Sorensen is on hand to make the save. There has been a good intensity, but neither side has really done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings. Still goalless after 24 minutes.
Half-chance for Stoke as Pieters delivers a dangerous cross to the far post, but Evra manages to head clear under pressure from Walters. United are down the other end with Valencia moments later, but the move breaks down and Stoke have a goal kick. Difficult conditions for the players at the moment.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with Smalling forced to deal with a dangerous cross from Walters, before there are no takers on Evra's low cross down the other end. United enjoy a period of possession outside the box moments later, but they just cannot find that elusive pass. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in this League Cup quarter-final tie.
PLAY SUSPENDED!
Referee Mark Clattenburg has stopped the play due to incredible hail. Hopefully play can continue in the next couple of moments. Not too often that you see this!
The players have been sent back to the changing room. Walters and Shawcross are among those that want to play on, but the referee has sent the players to the dressing room. Good old English weather!
It must be said that it really is a miserable, miserable evening. Sky Sports News have just shown a clip of referee Mark Clatterburg saying that he cannot see as the hail got heavier. It appears that the weather has calmed down and we can hopefully resume in the next couple of moments.
PLAYERS ARE BACK ON THE FIELD!
United get the action back underway with a corner. The set piece is delivered by Young, but Cameron is on hand to clear the danger. Stoke break down the other end with Assaidi, but De Gea is out to clear at the vital moment. It will take a moment or two for the players to get into the groove once more.
Stoke have a corner down the other end moments later, but the move ends when Assaidi is ruled offside. The stoppage has not dampened the noise inside the stadium as the United supporters make their voices heard. Stoke have been the better side since the restart there is no question about that.
Opportunity for United to threaten from a free kick as Young is felled down the left by Cameron, but his delivery is once more out for a goal kick. It is really poor from the England international. Just a reminder that this match will be decided this evening. Extra-time and penalties will occur if needed.
Good period of possession for Stoke in the last couple of moments, but they are finding it difficult in the final third. Crouch continues to come deep, but that is allowing Evans and Smalling to keep a high line. Ireland finds Walters in the box moments later, but Evra is across to clear the danger.
Valencia takes matters into his own hands moments later with a run down the right, but Wilson is across to clear the danger. Anderson attempts to hit one towards Young down the other wing, but it is too powerful for the England international. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining at the Britannia Stadium.
Valencia drives down the right once more before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Cameron is on hand to clear the danger. Appears to be a problem for Palacios moments later as the Stoke midfielder is caught in a challenge by Cleverley. Stop-start final few moments of the first period. Still goalless.
There is another League Cup quarter-final taking place this evening with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United currently level at the interval. Palacios is forced off the field following that clash with Cleverley, but is expected to return. It is a really scrappy match with 44 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for Stoke as Cameron delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Walters cannot make a proper contact. Stoke have a free kick some 35 yards from goal moments later, but Whelan's effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Opportunity for United in the latter stages of the half as Smalling's header falls to Evans inside the area, but the centre-back cannot make proper contact, allowing Begovic out to claim.
HALF-TIME: Stoke 0-0 United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Play was suspended after 29 minutes due to heavy hail and in truth, the match has not got going since then. United have arguably just shaded it, but neither side has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings.
STATISTICS: United have had more of the possession with 58%, while they have had three attempts to Stoke's two. There has been just the one effort on target, however, with Anderson forcing Sorensen into a save in the early stages. Aside from the excitement of the hail, not too much has happened in this quarter-final tie.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Adam, Jones and Pennant. Meanwhile, United also have attacking personnel on their bench with the likes of Hernandez, Kagawa, Nani and Zaha all in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that this tie must be decided this evening, therefore extra-time and penalties will occur if needed. No changes for either side at the interval as the away side get the second 45 minutes of action underway. Let's hope for goals.
The conditions have certainly calmed down. Hopefully that will mean an increase in quality. You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to advance this evening. Early possession for the away side, but Welbeck remains isolated through the middle. It would not be a surprise to see Javier Hernandez as the second period advances.
Half-chance for Stoke as Cameron finds some space down the right before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Walters cannot make contact at the far post. The American right-back has been a threat from wide positions this evening. Still not too much to get excited about with 50 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for United this time as a quick free kick eventually falls to Valencia outside the box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Cleverley takes the resulting corner, but Evra's header is over the crossbar. End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, but still goalless at the Britannia.
Whelan takes matters into his own hands moments later with an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It has been a straightforward night for both goalkeepers thus far. It would not be a surprise if both managers were thinking about changes, even at this stage of proceedings.
It's good work from United down the right as Welbeck finds Valencia, but the winger takes one touch too many before losing possession. Jones delivers a cross into the area moments later, but there are no takers. Hernandez is preparing to enter proceedings for the away side, which is not much of a surprise.
Indeed the change is made as Hernandez replaces Anderson, who has really struggled on his return to the team this evening. It would not be a surprise to see the Brazilian leave in January, it just has not happened for him in the last couple of years. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining, with the two sides still level at 0-0.
Stop-start period of the match in the last few moments with the referee more involved than he would like. A half-chance arrives for United moments later as Valencia drives a low cross into the box, but Pieters is on hand to make the clearance. Welbeck meets the resulting corner from Young, but his header is high of the crossbar.
GOAL! Stoke 0-1 United (Young)
United take the lead after 62 minutes as Young combines with Hernandez on the edge of the box before thumping an effort into the top corner. Stunning strike from the England international.
That is Young's first United goal in over 18 months. Stoke did make a change moments before the strike with Arnautovic replacing Assaidi. Another half-chance arrives for the away side moments later, but Evra's header is over the crossbar. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
United have the bit between their teeth at the moment as they go in search of the second goal. Another corner is delivered into the Stoke box, but Evans is penalised for a push. The away supporters are in fine voice with their side 20 minutes away from the semi-finals of the League Cup. However, Stoke will surely have something to say about that.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Young as the winger drives to the edge of the Stoke box before attempting to plant one into the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Stoke just cannot get the ball at the moment as United continue to utterly dominate proceedings. Smalling and Evans have both been terrific at the back for the away side.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Stoke just starting to see more of the ball in the final third. Walters delivers a dangerous cross into the United box moments later, but there are no takers, before Evra clears from the opposite side. United still lead with 72 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as Pieters delivers a dangerous cross into the United box, but Walters can only turn it wide of the post. The pressure is just starting to build from the Potters. They have around 15 minutes of normal time to level it up. Incredible intensity to the match at the moment.
Another half-chance for Stoke as Walters turns on the edge of the box before striking one towards goal, but it just deflects high of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered by Whelan, but Welbeck is on hand to clear. Young has possession on the break, but his cross is straight into the arms of Sorensen.
Stoke make their second change of the match as Adam replaces Shawcross, who limps off the field. That is not good news with Robert Huth already on the sidelines. Score update from White Hart Lane - West Ham have taken the lead with little over five minutes of football remaining. What a story that would be.
GOAL! Stoke 0-2 United (Evra)
United score their second after 78 minutes as Young feed Evra, who drives into the box before curling a wonderful effort into the top corner. Stunning finish from the French left-back.
That could be just about that in terms of this match. Stoke have not really looked like scoring this evening and now need to find two in the final 10 minutes or so. Just a reminder that Stoke have made two changes, while United have two remaining should David Moyes wish to alter proceedings in the final stages.
United do indeed make their second change of the match with Darren Fletcher continuing his comeback from illness. The Scot replaces Welbeck, who has put in a good shift this evening. Stoke attempt to force the issue down the right moments later, but Walters's cross is blocked by Cleverley at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for United to score a third as Valencia drives down the right before drilling a low cross towards Hernandez, but the Mexican cannot make proper contact and Sorensen is on hand to collect. The home side force a corner down the other end moments later, but Ireland fires high and wide from the edge of the box.
Stoke continue to force the issue with a series of corners into the United box, but the likes of Evans and Smalling have been impressive this evening. Young has possession down the other end moments later and wins a free kick after being felled by Cameron. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining at the Britannia.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. More groans around the stadium as Crouch delivers a cross straight over the crossbar. The United fans are in fine voice as their side edge towards the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Just a reminder that the draw for the semi-finals will be made this evening. Sunderland and Manchester City made it last night, while West Ham United were winners at Tottenham Hotspur this evening. Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with little over one minute remaining.
FULL-TIME: Stoke 0-2 United
So there we have it. United book their spot in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Stoke. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around for all the reaction. Until then!
