Stunning upsets saw big departures in midweek Carling Cup action. Chelsea and Liverpool top the list as the Carling Cup exposes some of the biggest teams in England.
Top flight clubs with deep pockets were shown an early exit, proving the tournament remains unpredictable and full of surprises moving into the fourth round. A few Cinderella stories were written for the history books, and at least two managers will be wondering what went terribly wrong.
Northampton eliminated Liverpool from the League Cup, while Newcastle won their first away game at Stamford Bridge in the 24 years. Manchester United eased past Scunthorpe, and Red Devil rivals Manchester City lost to Wigan. Gerrard Houllier won his first match in charge, as Aston Villa beat Blackburn.
Scunthorpe put on a brave display at home against Manchester United in the 2-5 loss to the visitors. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was noticeably absent out scouting for a match against Valencia, but his side was victorious in spite conceding two goals.
The home fans were treated to an early goal from Josh Wright in the 19th minute struck from over 20 yards out. The lead was quickly cut short when midfielder Darron Gibson chipped his shot over the head of keeper Joe Murphy in the 23rd minute.
Manchester United stole the show the next hour of play. Chris Smalling scored in the 36th minute, and Michael Owen scored his first of two goals in the 49th minute. Park Ji-Sung struck in the 54th minute, followed by another from Owen in the 71st minute.
Scunthorpe kept pressing, and Martyn Woolford netted a second goal for the home side in injury time. The result was an impressive show for the home side, closing out their run in the Carling Cup with goals in all ten of their competition games.
Gerard Houllier won his first game in charge of Aston Villa, knocking out Blackburn in the process with a 3-1 result. Villa recovered from a first half goal down to defeat Rovers resoundingly.
The home side conceded a goal in the 34th minute after Rovers defender Gael Givet struck goal from distance. Villa drew level in the 59th minute from a strike by Emile Heskey, just moments after Houllier brought him on. Winger Ashley Young did the rest, with an aerial and ground assault in the 75th and 77th minutes.
Sam Allardyce’s men simply fell apart in the second half and could not contain Villa. Houllier’s tactics were superior, especially with the addition of his former Liverpool player Heskey.
Chelsea ended their hopes of winning the League Cup with a 3-4 loss to Newcastle United. The home side have been excellent of late, but that came to a crashing halt when the English Champions were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Newcastle.
Carlo Ancelotti fielded an experimental Blues squad that featured a few first team regulars including Nicolas Anelka. Newcastle manager Chris Hughton brought his best available and the results paid off.
The Magpies kept attacking after going a goal down to Chelsea in the 6th minute. Blues newcomer Patrick Van Aanholt put one past keeper Tim Krul to start off the scoring. Next came a volley from Newcastle’s Nile Ranger in the 27th minute, that was followed by a well-taken free-kick from teammate Ryan Taylor in the 32nd minute.
Chelsea kept firing shots on target, but forward Shola Ameobi punished an error from defender Paul Ferreira from long-range to extend the Magpies tally. Not to be outdone, Anelka brought his side level with a goal in the 70th minute, followed by a penalty past Chelsea keeper Ross Turnbull in the 87th minute. Ameobi had the last word with a header in injury time to earn his side a historic win.
West Bromwich outshone Manchester City at home 2-1. Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo will be proud to have seen his side overcome the odds to defeat a strong City side. Resilient play from West Bromwich in the second half brought the squad back from an early goal deficit.
City manager Roberto Mancini made several changes to his regular side, including a start for Shay Given in goal. Brazilian striker Jo gave his team the lead in the 19th minute with a shot from mid-range. Given did his best to keep out several strikes on his goal, but failed to keep out Gianni Zuiverloon’s shot in the 55th minute. Teammate Simon Cox ran past a defender in the 57th minute before firing in his goal.
Mancini’s expensive squad failed to find an equaliser, and new signings James Milner and David Silva were brought on too late to snatch a victory. Baggies midfielder Graham Dorrans return to the squad made a world of difference, as the home side edged past a tough opponent to go through to the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
Liverpool lost embarrassingly at home to Northampton Town in a penalty shootout. The Anfield faithful were aghast to see their side squander chances in regular time, and miss again from the penalty spot. Reds manager Roy Hodgson saw his team beaten off pitch by League Two team Northampton Town, and will worry how long his reign will last.
The night at Anfield began well with an goal from Milan Jovanovic in the 9th minute. The team failed to increase their lead before the half-time whistle, and Liverpool’s departure from the Carling Cup began to take shape when Billy McKay equalised in the 56th minute. A second goal in extra time from Northampton player Michael Jacobs hushed the home supporters, but relief came when David Ngog brought the Reds level in the 116th minute.
Missed penalties by Ngog and Nathan Eccleston were all it took for Northampton to claim their colossal win. The Cobblers secured their fourth round spot with relentless effort, while Liverpool can only regret wasting their opportunity to advance past a lesser team.
Northampton eliminated Liverpool from the League Cup, while Newcastle won their first away game at Stamford Bridge in the 24 years. Manchester United eased past Scunthorpe, and Red Devil rivals Manchester City lost to Wigan. Gerrard Houllier won his first match in charge, as Aston Villa beat Blackburn.
Scunthorpe put on a brave display at home against Manchester United in the 2-5 loss to the visitors. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was noticeably absent out scouting for a match against Valencia, but his side was victorious in spite conceding two goals.
The home fans were treated to an early goal from Josh Wright in the 19th minute struck from over 20 yards out. The lead was quickly cut short when midfielder Darron Gibson chipped his shot over the head of keeper Joe Murphy in the 23rd minute.
Manchester United stole the show the next hour of play. Chris Smalling scored in the 36th minute, and Michael Owen scored his first of two goals in the 49th minute. Park Ji-Sung struck in the 54th minute, followed by another from Owen in the 71st minute.
Scunthorpe kept pressing, and Martyn Woolford netted a second goal for the home side in injury time. The result was an impressive show for the home side, closing out their run in the Carling Cup with goals in all ten of their competition games.
Gerard Houllier won his first game in charge of Aston Villa, knocking out Blackburn in the process with a 3-1 result. Villa recovered from a first half goal down to defeat Rovers resoundingly.
The home side conceded a goal in the 34th minute after Rovers defender Gael Givet struck goal from distance. Villa drew level in the 59th minute from a strike by Emile Heskey, just moments after Houllier brought him on. Winger Ashley Young did the rest, with an aerial and ground assault in the 75th and 77th minutes.
Sam Allardyce’s men simply fell apart in the second half and could not contain Villa. Houllier’s tactics were superior, especially with the addition of his former Liverpool player Heskey.
Chelsea ended their hopes of winning the League Cup with a 3-4 loss to Newcastle United. The home side have been excellent of late, but that came to a crashing halt when the English Champions were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Newcastle.
Carlo Ancelotti fielded an experimental Blues squad that featured a few first team regulars including Nicolas Anelka. Newcastle manager Chris Hughton brought his best available and the results paid off.
The Magpies kept attacking after going a goal down to Chelsea in the 6th minute. Blues newcomer Patrick Van Aanholt put one past keeper Tim Krul to start off the scoring. Next came a volley from Newcastle’s Nile Ranger in the 27th minute, that was followed by a well-taken free-kick from teammate Ryan Taylor in the 32nd minute.
Chelsea kept firing shots on target, but forward Shola Ameobi punished an error from defender Paul Ferreira from long-range to extend the Magpies tally. Not to be outdone, Anelka brought his side level with a goal in the 70th minute, followed by a penalty past Chelsea keeper Ross Turnbull in the 87th minute. Ameobi had the last word with a header in injury time to earn his side a historic win.
West Bromwich outshone Manchester City at home 2-1. Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo will be proud to have seen his side overcome the odds to defeat a strong City side. Resilient play from West Bromwich in the second half brought the squad back from an early goal deficit.
City manager Roberto Mancini made several changes to his regular side, including a start for Shay Given in goal. Brazilian striker Jo gave his team the lead in the 19th minute with a shot from mid-range. Given did his best to keep out several strikes on his goal, but failed to keep out Gianni Zuiverloon’s shot in the 55th minute. Teammate Simon Cox ran past a defender in the 57th minute before firing in his goal.
Mancini’s expensive squad failed to find an equaliser, and new signings James Milner and David Silva were brought on too late to snatch a victory. Baggies midfielder Graham Dorrans return to the squad made a world of difference, as the home side edged past a tough opponent to go through to the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
Liverpool lost embarrassingly at home to Northampton Town in a penalty shootout. The Anfield faithful were aghast to see their side squander chances in regular time, and miss again from the penalty spot. Reds manager Roy Hodgson saw his team beaten off pitch by League Two team Northampton Town, and will worry how long his reign will last.
The night at Anfield began well with an goal from Milan Jovanovic in the 9th minute. The team failed to increase their lead before the half-time whistle, and Liverpool’s departure from the Carling Cup began to take shape when Billy McKay equalised in the 56th minute. A second goal in extra time from Northampton player Michael Jacobs hushed the home supporters, but relief came when David Ngog brought the Reds level in the 116th minute.
Missed penalties by Ngog and Nathan Eccleston were all it took for Northampton to claim their colossal win. The Cobblers secured their fourth round spot with relentless effort, while Liverpool can only regret wasting their opportunity to advance past a lesser team.
