Man United responds to Ten Hag firing by routing Leicester in League Cup. Tottenham ousts Man City

Manchester United responded to the firing of Erik ten Hag by scoring four goals in the first 38 minutes on the way to a 5-2 thrashing of Leicester in the English League Cup, while Tottenham eliminated Manchester City in the last 16 on Wednesday.

Also advancing to the competition's first all-Premier League quarterfinals lineup in 14 years were defending champion Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Two days after Ten Hag's exit, United displayed the cutting edge so often lacking under the Dutchman with Brazil midfielder Casemiro scoring two of the team's first-half goals — one a curling strike into the top corner from 30 meters.

Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes also netted in that early flurry of goals, while Fernandes added a fifth in the 59th.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, United's former star striker, took charge of United having been Ten Hag's assistant, and enjoyed what might be his only game at the helm. United appears close to bringing in Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim as the replacement for Ten Hag.

“It is clear that this is going to be short term," Van Nistelrooy said, “so for me today was the most important day after what happened. In such short notice ... credit to the players, they were fantastic.”

It was a night to forget for Premier League leader Man City, which not only lost the match to Tottenham 2-1 but also lost Savinho and Manuel Akanji to injuries to further deplete Pep Guardiola's ravaged squad.

Goals by Timo Werner and Pape Sarr in the opening 25 minutes put Tottenham two goals clear before Matheus Nunes reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage time for City.

Akanji was injured in the warmup and didn't start the game, while Savinho hurt his ankle and was in tears as he was carried off the field on a stretcher in the 63rd minute. City is already without Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish because of injuries.

"We are in a difficult position with the amount of players,” Guardiola said.

Tottenham, which also sustained injuries to Micky van de Ven and Werner, was drawn to play Man United in the quarterfinals.

Liverpool continued its title defense with a 3-2 win over Brighton that was sparked by a double from Cody Gakpo.

The Netherlands international scored in the 46th and 63rd minutes at Amex Stadium, while Luis Diaz added a third in the 85th after Brighton had pulled a goal back through Simon Adingra.

Liverpool held on after Tariq Lamptey scored Brighton's second goal in the 90th and will need to make another trip to the south coast in the last eight to play Southampton.

Liverpool has won the League Cup a record 10 times, most recently last season with a victory over Chelsea in the final.

Newcastle beat Chelsea 2-0 thanks to Alexander Isak's close-range strike and an own-goal by Axel Disasi and next faces Brentford, while Palace — fielding American goalkeeper Matt Turner for his debut and his first club appearance since April 2 for Nottingham Forest — defeated Aston Villa 2-1 thanks to goals by Eberechi Eze and Daichi Kamada. Jhon Duran netted for Villa.

Palace's reward is a last-eight match against Arsenal, which was a 3-0 winner at second-tier Preston after goals by Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz.

Tottenham vs. Manchester United

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace

Newcastle vs. Brentford

Southampton vs. Liverpool

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Newcastle United's Joe Willock celebrates an own goal by Chelsea's Axel Disasi during the English League Cup fourth round soccer match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park, Newcastle, England, Wednesday Oct. 30, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, center, talks to his teammates after the English League Cup round of 16 soccer match between Preston and Arsenal at Deepdale, Preston, England, Wednesday Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, left, celebrates after scoring his second goal against Brighton during the English League Cup soccer match between Brighton and Liverpool at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, left, celebrates with his teammate Curtis Jones after scoring the first goal during the English League Cup soccer match between Brighton and Liverpool at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola reacts during the English League Cup fourth round soccer match between Tottenham and Manchester City, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Tottenham's Timo Werner celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English League Cup fourth round soccer match between Tottenham and Manchester City, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Tottenham's Timo Werner celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English League Cup fourth round soccer match between Tottenham and Manchester City, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Manchester City's Savinho reacts after sustaining an injury during the English League Cup fourth round soccer match between Tottenham and Manchester City, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Manchester United's Casemiro, right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English League Cup soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English League Cup soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's head coach Ruud van Nistelrooij reacts as he arrives prior to the start of the English League Cup soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's head coach Ruud van Nistelrooij gives instructions during the English League Cup soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Casemiro celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English League Cup soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. Find the AP’s top photos of the day in Today’s Photo Collection. For up-to-the-minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan in AP Newsroom.

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ONLY ON AP

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-UNDERGROUND-SCHOOLS —To be a parent in the Ukrainian front-line city of Zaporizhzhia means weighing your child’s life against the Russian weapons within striking distance. Most rain death in an instant: the drones, the ballistic missiles, the glide bombs, the artillery shells. But Russian soldiers control another weapon they have never deployed, with the potential to be just as deadly: The nearby Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. By Lori Hinnant. SENT: 1,860 words, photos, video. WITH: RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-UNDERGROUND-SCHOOLS-TAKEAWAYS (sent).

ELECTION-2024-AP-POLL-ANXIETY — Most Americans are feeling a lot of emotions heading into Election Day, but excitement is not one of them. A new poll from The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that about 7 in 10 Americans report feeling anxious or frustrated about the 2024 presidential campaign, and a similar share say they’re interested. Only about one-third say they feel excited. By Linley Sanders. SENT: 400 words, photo.

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TOP STORIES

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ELECTION-2024-DEMOCRACY — Few elections in the nation’s history have provided such a divide as this year’s, with the two major candidates and so many of their supporters saying the outcome will determine the fate of the country and whether it can hold to its democratic moorings. As they cast their ballots, voters have opinions on the divide that is as diverse and complex as the nation itself. Perhaps no place captures this range of perspective more clearly than Charlottesville, Virginia, the site of the “Unite the Right” rally in 2017. By Ali Swenson and Gary Fields. SENT: 1,600 words, photos. An Abridged version of 990 words is also available.

ELECTION-2024-HARRIS — Kamala Harris is calling for Americans to “stop pointing fingers at each other” as she tries to push past comments made by President Joe Biden about Donald Trump’s supporters and “garbage.” Harris made her pitch in Raleigh, North Carolina, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Madison, Wisconsin, as part of a blitz of battleground states in the final week before Election Day. By Will Weissert and Chris Megerian. SENT: 950 words, photos, video, audio.

ELECTION-2024-TRUMP — Donald Trump showered former NFL star Brett Favre with praise on Wednesday at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the former Packers quarterback campaigned for the Republican presidential nominee in the final week before Election Day. SENT: 615 words, photos, video, audio. WITH: ELECTION-2024-TRUMP-GARBAGE-TRUCK — Donald Trump boards a garbage truck to draw attention to Biden remark. (sent).

ELECTION-2024-IRAN-US-WORRIES — America’s presidential election next week comes just after Iran marks the 45th anniversary of 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis. For many, tensions between Tehran and Washington feel just as high as they did then. Iran remains locked into the Mideast wars roiling the region. The currency hovers near record lows against the dollar, battered by international sanctions. Women still openly defy Iran’s mandatory headscarf law after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. There’s a feel of fatalism on the streets of Tehran as Americans vote for either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. By Nasser Karimi and Medhi Fattahi. SENT: 1,010 words, photos, video.

MIDEAST-DIPLOMACY — The United States and other mediators are ramping up efforts to halt the wars in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. They are circulating new proposals to wind down the regional conflict during the Biden administration’s final months. Negotiations have been stalled for months and the warring parties have shown no signs of backing down. By Bassem Mroue, Julia Frankel and Samy Magdy. SENT: 1,060 words, photos. WITH: MIDEAST-WARS-THE-LATEST — Officials in West Bank say Israeli raid has killed 3. (sent).

BBO-WORLD-SERIES — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5. By Ronald Blum. SENT: 1,300 words, photos. WITH: WORLD-SERIES-YANKEES-MELTDOWN — Yankees blow 5-run lead with defensive meltdown; WORLD-SERIES-JAPAN-CELEBRATES — Japan celebrates as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto win World Series; WORLD-SERIES-HALL-OF-FAME — Freddie Freeman’s World Series spikes, Mookie Betts’ batting gloves going to baseball Hall of Fame. (all sent).

Find a selection of related photos in the World Series photo collection in AP Newsroom.

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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES

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ELECTION-2024-DIVINE-NINE — Inspired by the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris, individual members of historically Black sororities and fraternities are working to help her presidential campaign and that of downballot candidates. Known as the Divine Nine, the not-for-profit sororities and fraternities are not allowed themselves to endorse a particular candidate and have focused their official efforts on nonpartisan get-out-the-vote and registration campaigns. By Susan Haigh. SENT: 880 words, photos.

UGANDA-REFUGEES-FUNDING-SHORTAGE — Many refugees in Uganda are struggling to get by without the food assistance they once depended on. In a refugee settlement in the country’s southwest, many residents face hunger as funding for refugees has fallen over the years, causing drastic cuts in food rations. Uganda is home to more than 1.7 million refugees, the largest refugee-hosting nation in Africa By Patrick Onen. SENT: 680 words, photos, video.

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MIDEAST WARS

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LEBANON-CIVILIAN-CASUALTIES-FAMILY — Maya Gharib was planning to get married in October, though she was worried her brother living abroad wouldn’t be able to make it back to Lebanon as tensions with Israel grew. On Sept. 23, Israel ramped up its bombardment of Lebanon in an escalating campaign to strike the Hezbollah militant group. One of its strikes directly hit the family’s apartment, killing Maya, her two sisters and their parents. SENT: 710 words, photos.

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA—MEDIC-MOTHER — A Palestinian ambulance worker in Gaza was devastated to realize he was carrying his own mother’s body. Seeing her face at the hospital, Abed Bardini broke down in tears, saying: “I didn’t know it was her!” Palestinian health officials said an Israeli airstrike Wednesday killed 61-year-old Samira Bardini. SENT: 380 words, photos, video.

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RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — Russian forces struck a residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring scores of others. SENT: 470 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-EUROPE — The United States’ European allies are bracing for an America that’s less interested in them no matter who wins the presidential election — and for old traumas and new problems if Donald Trump returns to the White House. SENT: 920 words, photos.

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MORE NEWS

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MEXICO-LOST-CITY — Scientists detect traces of an ancient Mayan city in southern Mexico using laser-sensor technology. SENT: 510 words, video.

SPOOKY-SEASON-STORIES — Scary stories from around the world you probably haven’t heard. SENT: 2,550 words, photos, video.

JAPAN-HELLO-KITTY-AT-50 — At 50, Hello Kitty is as ‘kawaii’ and lucrative as ever. SENT: 1,190 words, photos, video.

HAWAII-SNOW — Snow fell on Hawaii’s tallest peak this week, briefly turning the mountaintop into a winter wonderland. SENT: 250 words, photo.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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ELECTION-2024-TEXT-PESTERING — Across the U.S., people’s phones are pinging with text messages from Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and their allies. Both sides are working the texting pipeline aggressively in the presidential campaign’s last days. It’s a cheap and easy way to reach millions of potential donors and voters. It’s also an aggravation for many. SENT: 1,280 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-ABORTION — As voters in nine states determine whether to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions, opponents are using parental rights and anti-transgender messages to try to undermine support for the ballot proposals. The measures do not mention gender-affirming surgeries. Legal experts say changing existing parental notification and consent laws regarding abortions and gender-affirming care for minors would require court action. SENT: 900 words, photo.

ELECTION-2024-VOTER-MOBILIZATION — At this stage of the election, it’s time to get out the vote. This is a crucial step that can make or break the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They are nudging Americans to the polls — or the mailbox or ballot drop-box — to make their choices. Democrats are relying on a traditional strategy of targeted phone calls, text messages and door-knocking, from the party and its allies, to encourage turnout for Kamala Harris. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-MIKE-JOHNSON — As House Speaker Mike Johnson travels the country trying to save his House Republican majority, he has linked ever more tightly to former President Donald Trump. It’s a once uncertain relationship that has become potentially beneficial to both. The speaker is relying on the Republican presidential nominee for his own political survival in the chaotic House. SENT: 920 words, photos, video.

ELECTION-2024-TRANSITION — The presidential transition process has been built on tradition and bipartisanship. It exploded into a point of political contention four years ago, after then-President Donald Trump made baseless claims to dispute his loss and his government delayed kicking off the transition process for weeks. This year, a new law is meant to start the transition sooner, no matter who wins. SENT: 1,090 words, photo.

ELECTION-2024-PERCEPTION-HACK — When it comes to election security in the U.S., the weakest link may be human nature. Election and national security officials have said there’s no way a foreign power could successfully alter enough votes to change the outcome of the upcoming presidential contest. But that hasn’t stopped foreign adversaries as well as domestic extremist groups from pushing disinformation intended to make voters question the integrity of the system. SENT: 1,100 words, photo.

ELECTION-2024-CALIFORNIA-VACANT-HOMES-TAX — Voters in the scenic mountain town of South Lake Tahoe in Northern California are considering a tax on vacation homes. Measure N on Tuesday’s ballot would levy a flat $3,000 tax on homes that are vacant 182 days within a calendar year. The tax increases to $6,000 in the second and following years. SENT: 970 words, photos, video.

For more AP election coverage plans, click here.

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NATIONAL

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CALIFORNIA-MENENDEZ-BROTHERS-CASE — Erik and Lyle Menendez’s resentencing hearing has been set for Dec. 11, when a judge will decide whether they will have a shot at freedom after spending 34 years behind bars for the shotgun killings of their parents in 1989. SENT: 490 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-MUSK — A Philadelphia judge is set to hold a hearing in the city prosecutor’s bid to shut down Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day sweepstakes in battleground states. The giveaways come from Musk’s political organization, which aims to boost Donald Trump’s presidential campaign through Election Day. SENT: 280 words, photo, audio.

EAGLES-KILLED-BLACK-MARKET — A Washington state man who pleaded guilty to killing at least 118 eagles as part of a wildlife trafficking ring that operated on a Native American Reservation in Montana faces sentencing before a federal judge. SENT: 560 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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SPAIN-FLOODS — Survivors of the worst natural disaster to hit Spain this century awoke to scenes of devastation after villages were wiped out by monstrous flash floods that claimed at least 95 lives. The death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue with officials removing bodies from vehicles and an unknown number of people still missing. SENT: 980 words, photos, videos.

Find a selection of related photos in the Spain Floods collection in AP Newsroom.

KOREAS-TENSIONS — North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in almost a year, demonstrating a potential advancement in its ability to launch long-range nuclear attacks on the mainland U.S. The launch was likely meant to meant grab American attention days ahead of the U.S. election and respond to condemnation over the North’s reported troop dispatch to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. SENT: 1,040 words, photos, video.

INDIA-DIWALI-FESTIVAL — Indians are celebrating the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, by symbolically lighting a record 2.51 million clay oil lamps at dusk on the banks of the river Saryu in a city they believe to be the birthplace of the deity Lord Ram. SENT: 450 words, photos, video. WITH: REL-DIWALI-EXPLAINER — What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights?; INDIA-DIWALI-FIRECRACKERS —Use of smoke-emitting firecrackers renews air pollution debate; INDIA-AYODHYA-DIWALI-FESTIVAL-PHOTO-GALLERY. (all sent).

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman celebrates with the MVP trophy after their win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

A Hindu priest prays as devotees take a holy dip in the Saryu river on the morning of Deepotsav celebrations, an event organized by the Uttar Pradesh state government on the eve of Diwali, in Ayodhya, India, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Two men carry a banner of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini at the entrance of the former U.S. Embassy, which has been turned into an anti-American museum, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Members of the local police react to the news of one of their colleagues who died in the floods in Valencia, Spain, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)