Bradford City beat Peterborough 2-0 to reach first League Cup quarter-final since 2013
Macaulay Gillesphey and Adam Phillips scored at Valley Parade as Bradford beat fellow League One side Peterborough to reach the Carabao Cup last eight.
Bradford City are back in the last eight of the League Cup for the first time since their run to the Wembley final in 2013. The League One side beat divisional rivals Peterborough United 2-0 at Valley Parade on Tuesday night. Defender Macaulay Gillesphey and Adam Phillips scored the goals, and goalkeeper Jon McCracken made the saves that kept a clean sheet.
Set-piece opener
Bradford took the lead in the 13th minute from a corner. Peterborough goalkeeper Alex Bass misjudged an in-swinging delivery, and Gillesphey turned the ball in at the far post. It was a reward for manager Michael Duff, who had asked his players to get more out of corners.
The rest of the first half was scrappy. Bradford picked up five yellow cards in a 29-minute spell. Bass also made up for his error with a diving save from Bobby Pointon that kept Peterborough in the game before half-time.
Bass was busy throughout. As well as denying Pointon, he got down to keep out a low shot from Ibou Touray, and Peterborough reached the interval only one goal behind despite the pressure from the hosts.
Phillips seals it on the break
Peterborough boss Robbie Savage made a triple substitution just before the hour as he chased an equaliser. The changes left gaps at the back, and Bradford used them. Phillips made it 2-0 after 67 minutes with a deflected shot past Bass. He later had another effort cleared off the line, and the hosts also had two goals disallowed.
McCracken keeps Posh out
Peterborough had chances of their own. Brandon Khela drove an early opportunity wide and Ethan Williams hit the crossbar. McCracken saved from Owura Edwards and also denied Vernon Masara in a one-on-one, so the visitors went home without a goal.
A cup run gathering pace
Burnley are the only higher-division side Bradford have beaten in this season's competition. Even so, reaching the last eight puts them back among the big names for the quarter-final draw. The draw was due on Wednesday evening in England, after the final fourth-round ties.
Bradford's win came on the same night as League Two side Fleetwood Town knocked out Arsenal on penalties, so two lower-league clubs are already through. Duff's side now return to League One with a West Yorkshire derby against leaders Huddersfield Town next.
For Malaysian viewers, Tuesday's games kicked off in the early hours of Wednesday morning. More ties, including Bournemouth against Aston Villa and Sunderland against Brentford, are on Wednesday night in England, which is the early hours of Thursday in Malaysia.
Key takeaways
- Bradford City beat Peterborough United 2-0 in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Valley Parade.
- Macaulay Gillesphey scored from a corner after 13 minutes and Adam Phillips added a second after 67 minutes.
- Jon McCracken made several key saves for the clean sheet.
- It is Bradford's first League Cup quarter-final since they reached the 2013 final.
FAQ
Who scored for Bradford City against Peterborough? Macaulay Gillesphey in the 13th minute and Adam Phillips in the 67th minute.
When did Bradford last reach the League Cup quarter-finals? In the 2012-13 season, when they went all the way to the final at Wembley.
Who manages the two clubs? Michael Duff manages Bradford City and Robbie Savage manages Peterborough United.
Sources: Sky Sports, Width of a Post, Total Sport, Yorkshire Post