The offensive and defensive rhythms of both sides have become faster.
Everton used up their three substitutions in advance, so this approach was a desperate move, aiming to attack with all their might and win the game within the regular 90 minutes to avoid a draw and going into overtime.
After Philip Neville and Tim Cahill came on the pitch, Everton seemed like a different team and truly played the offensive style of a strong Premier League team.
Rodwell was liberated in the backcourt and no longer needed to participate in organizing the attack. He only needed to connect and deliver the ammunition. More backcourt organization and planning were basically left to Philip Neville.
Tim Cahill's running in the frontcourt is more flexible and more deadly than the previous shadow striker Jose Baxter.
Southampton’s trouble now is that the midfield cannot hold its ground.
It is difficult for Southampton's four midfielders to compete with Fellaini and Rodwell. In addition, Philip Neville often moves from the defender position to the defensive midfielder position, forming a triangle attack or triangle interception, which makes it even more difficult for Southampton.
Although Gu Ran can also move forward, his position is the left back. He must consider the situation when moving forward, otherwise it will be easy for him to be penetrated by the weak area behind him on the left side.
If Southampton's midfield cannot hold its ground, it will be difficult for them to pose a threat to Everton.
However, Southampton is not completely without advantages.
As the game went on, both sides consumed a lot of physical energy in the fierce confrontation.
In order to control the midfield, Southampton began to press high throughout the court after 75 minutes.
Gu Ran's space on the left side immediately became much more spacious.
And Gu Ran's physical condition is definitely better than any other player on the field.
In the 87th minute of the game, Rodwell made a wonderful pass in the middle to shadow striker Tim Cahill.
Southampton's defensive players immediately double-teamed Cahill, who flexibly got rid of Fonte, created a gap, and shot at a small angle! Davis quickly fell to the ground to save the ball, but failed to catch it, and the ball slipped out of his hands, right in front of the small penalty area!
Everton's center forward Jermaine Beckford immediately took a big step and kicked the ball in front of Davis' face! Davis desperately blocked it with his body!
The football hit Davis' nose and decelerated towards the goal! At this critical moment, Gu Ran sprinted over at high speed, headed the ball horizontally, and headed it out of the penalty area and into his own right side! Richardson immediately chased the ball.
Davis, whose nose was broken and whose face was covered in blood, did not stop for a moment. He quickly got up from the grass and ran back to the goal to continue defending! Iron-blooded Davis! As the captain, Davis knew very well that this was the best time for Southampton to defend and counterattack. If he missed the defense and counterattack because of his injury treatment, Davis would really not forgive himself.
Inspired by Davis's iron blood, Richardson immediately passed the ball with a long foot after getting the ball on the wing!
Everton's high pressure and on-the-spot pressing were meaningless at this moment! Gu Ran burst out at full speed and chased Richardson's pass towards the center circle at high speed.
Everton's defenders all tried their best to get back to defense and chase, and even Howard left the goal and ran towards the center circle -
The whole audience is competing for speed!
Philip Neville is experienced. He intercepted the ball and ran to Gu Ran's side, then reached out to pull Gu Ran's arm.
As long as Gu Ran is restricted, Southampton’s defensive counterattack will be over!
Even if he gets a yellow card, it's worth it! However, Gu Ran is extremely fast! He has excellent physical fitness! Even when the game is about to end, Gu Ran can still run all over the field! Seeing Gu Ran get rid of Philip Neville, Fellaini immediately slid over desperately!
Gu Ran kept accelerating and avoided Fellaini's sliding tackle! Then, Seamus Coleman also slid over! Philipp Jagiuka and Heitinga also slid over to Gu Ran! Everton midfielder slid four times in a row!
Gu Ran accelerated madly, making Everton's four consecutive tackles all miss!
After Gu Ran got the ball, he ran straight to Everton's penalty area! Howard then realized that he couldn't intercept Gu Ran outside the penalty area, so he quickly turned around and ran into the penalty area.
However, Howard had already lost his position! After Gu Ran passed half court, he stepped forward, caught up with the football, and shot it directly!
It was a super world wave from 45 meters away! The power and dominance of this kick reminded all the fans present of the superstar Rooney from Everton! Howard had no time to save the ball! He could only watch the trajectory of the ball flying and secretly pray that it would not score -
The football hit the inside of the crossbar heavily, bounced heavily onto the goal line, and then bounced into the net!
The ball went in!!! The entire goal was buzzing and shaking! The fans of Southampton and Liverpool cheered wildly! This ball was so domineering, so beautiful, and so timely!
There were still 2 minutes left in the regular game and 5 minutes of injury time. At this time, Southampton was able to withstand the pressure of Everton's fierce attack and take the lead again. For Southampton, this was like having one foot in the boudoir of the goddess of victory!
The Everton Toffees were all stunned, too horrified to utter a word.
The favorite player of Everton fans is Rooney! After Rooney transferred to Manchester United, Everton fans hoped that Moyes could train another Rooney, such as Jose Baxter and Jack Rodwell.
These two players do have the shadow of Rooney.
but……
The one who really plays like Rooney is not Jose Baxter, nor Jack Rodwell, but Gu Ran from the opposing team!
This kick was so amazing! On the big screen at Goodison Park, the score was immediately changed to Everton 2:3 Southampton! The pressure was once again on Everton! However, head coach Moyes had already used up his three substitutions, and now he could only sigh helplessly.
There was not much time left for Everton! At this time, Southampton began to make substitutions! With a 1-goal lead, Coach Adkins had seen great hope of winning!
At this time, Southampton, who were already weak, could not play any offensive game. Instead, they had to hold on to the ball while they were ahead until 7 minutes later. Oh no, after the substitution, there were only 6 minutes left—until the end of the game! Coach Adkins first replaced forward Connolly with defensive midfielder/left back Dixon.
Connery was also very smart. He deliberately confirmed again and again before leaving the court, and finally limped slowly to the sidelines.
Everton's players were so anxious that Fellaini rushed up and loudly asked Connery to leave the field quickly.
But Connery completely ignored Fellaini's urging.
After Connery left the field, Dixon quickly ran to the left back position.
After Dixon came on the field, Gu Ran naturally stood in the defensive midfielder position - Southampton's entire defense line was also undertaken by Gu Ran alone! Southampton's formation was also temporarily changed to a 451 defensive formation.
With five players in the midfield, Southampton could easily deal with the triangle formation of Philip Neville, Fellaini and Rodwell.
Everton kicked off quickly.
Southampton defended with all their might and never gave Everton any chance.
Everton seemed very impatient.
Just after five minutes of injury time, Gu Ran blocked Rodwell's pass out of the sideline.
Coach Adkins took the opportunity to start the second substitution.
This time, the only forward, Gu Li, was substituted and replaced by vice-captain Walton.
Southampton changed their formation to 550.
When Gu Li left the field, he also confirmed it repeatedly and then limped off.
Southampton fans happily sang "March On The Saints", a song that Liverpool fans also knew. Liverpool fans also sang "March On The Saints" along.
Everton Toffees fans were going crazy, booing and swearing, and some radical fans even threw toilet paper and mineral water bottles into the stadium and the Liverpool fans' stands.
How can Liverpool fans still tolerate Everton fans?
Liverpool fans began throwing coins wrapped in toilet paper at Everton fans in the stands.
Fans of both sides fought each other in the air, and many fans were bleeding.
On the field, Fellaini also reached out and pushed Guli, asking Guli to leave the field quickly.
Guli pushed Fellaini with his backhand, and the two tall players refused to give in to each other and were about to fight.
The referee quickly intervened and gave Fellaini and Guli each a yellow card.
Only then did Gu Li speed up and leave the field.
By the time Walton came on, half of the injury time had already passed! Everton launched a frantic attack, with all three lines pressing into Southampton's half.
Southampton responded with an iron-clad defense, with Gu Ran taking on the most core defensive role.
In the last minute of injury time, coach Adkins continued to use substitutions to delay time! This time, even the attacking midfielder Lallana, who had poor defensive ability, was replaced! The defensive midfielder Hammond was replaced! Lallana also confirmed repeatedly, and then limped off the field.
Coach Adkins has used the rules of the game to the extreme! When a weak team plays against a strong team, it must use all the means that can be reasonably used!
For the knockout stage, the process of the game is not important, what really matters is winning! After the game resumed, the referee added two minutes of injury time.
Everton's desperate and crazy attack!
Southampton's impeccable defense! Both sides tried their best!
Beep, beep, beep—
After 8 minutes of injury time, the referee finally blew the whistle to end the game! The score on the big screen at Goodison Park was completely frozen at Everton 2:3 Southampton!
Southampton won! Southampton defeated the Premier League powerhouse Everton by defeating the weak! They unexpectedly made it to the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup! Southampton is also the only team in this EFL Cup to make it to the quarterfinals as a League One team! When the final whistle blew, the players, coaches, and staff on the bench all rushed into the field to cheer and celebrate!
Southampton fans were so excited that they burst into tears!
Liverpool fans took the opportunity to ridicule the heartbroken Everton fans! Angry Everton fans rushed to the stands where Liverpool fans were...
Everton fans and Liverpool fans are fighting! ... (End of this chapter)