Holders Hibernian out

SoccerDigest:Holders Hibernian slumped out of the Scottish League Cup after a 4-2 home defeat by Motherwell despite taking an early lead in their third-round tie last night.

Clayton Donaldson put Hibernian ahead in the 10th minute thanks to a fine solo run and shot past goalkeeper Graeme Smith but Motherwell equalised through a David Clarkson header in the 17th and two minutes later Keith Lasley volleyed them 2-1 ahead.

Ross McCormack made it 3-1 after 24 minutes with a terrific 25-metre chipped shot and they wrapped up the victory when Chris Porter struck the fourth in the 83rd. Hibs hit back with Antoine Curier scoring a consolation goal moments later.

Rangers cruised to a 4-0 win at fourth division East Fife with Spanish striker Nacho Novo sparking the rout with a 30-metre shot for the 14th minute opener before Kris Boyd made it 2-0 six minutes from the interval. Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar grabbed the third in the 54th and Boyd struck again for number four with a penalty 12 minutes later.

Celtic won 2-1 at second division Dundee with a goal in each half from Australian striker Scott McDonald and Dutch forward Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Celtic's Derek Riordan missed a second-half penalty when keeper Craig Samson blocked his shot before Dundee pulled a goal back after 72 minutes through Kevin McDonald to set up a nervous finish. In the other third-round clash, Aberdeen won 2-0 at second division Partick Thistle.

Mutch too young to play in cup

Birmingham have revealed 15-year-old midfielder Jordon Mutch was forced to withdraw from last night's squad to face Blackburn in the League Cup after Premier League clearance proved incorrect.

A statement on the club's website appeared last night ahead of the third-round clash revealing the club sought clearance before including Mutch in the squad, only to find out Football Association rules made him ineligible to play.

The statement on www.bcfc.com read: "As is usual practice for the club, we made the necessary checks with the Premier League and the Football League yesterday concerning the minimum age rule requirements for the Carling Cup Competition.

"However despite Premier League rule E.21 allowing the player to play at 15 years of age, it was brought to the club's attention 45 minutes ago that a new FA rule is in place as of this season whereby a player must be 16 to play in Open Age football (in accordance with child protection issues).

Ireland to take on Scotland

The FAI has confirmed that the "return" B international between Ireland and Scotland will take place at Airdrie on Tuesday, November 20th. The game follows last November's goalless draw between the two sides at Dalymount Park in Dublin.

The Irish squad will be selected by A team manager Stephen Staunton and managed by B international boss Pat Devlin.

Chelsea deny claims

Chelsea have denied speculation they offered the manager's job to anyone other than Avram Grant. Reports yesterday suggested the club had spoken to Holland coach Marco van Basten with regards to the latter becoming the long-term successor to Jose Mourinho, who left Stamford Bridge last week.

"Contrary to media reports this morning, Chelsea Football Club totally refute that the job of manager or first team coach has been offered to any individual other than Avram Grant," said a club statement.

Germany back in World Cup final

Germany's women reached their second successive World Cup final yesterday after securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Norway.

With the semi-final encounter evenly poised in the first half, Norway were dealt a sucker punch just before the break when Birgit Prinz's cross deflected off Trine Ronning and into the back of the net.

Germany dominated possession after the break and two goals in three minutes through Kerstin Stegemann and Martina Mueller ensured their place in Sunday's final in Shanghai against the winners of today's other semi-final between Brazil and the US.

Last Night's Results

English League Cup: Third Round: Blackburn 3 Birmingham 0; Fulham 1 Bolton 2 (aet); Hull 0 Chelsea 4; Man Utd 0 Coventry 2; Sheff Wed 0 Everton 3; Tottenham 2 Middlesbrough 0; West Ham 1 Plymouth 0; Aston Villa 0 Leicester 1.

Scottish League Cup: Third Round: Dundee 1 Celtic 2; East Fife 0 Rangers 4; Hibernian 2 Motherwell 4; Partick 0 Aberdeen 2.

Women's World Cup: Semi-Final: Germany 3 Norway 0.

Italian Serie A: Catania 1 Empoli 0, Fiorentina 2 AS Roma 2, Genoa 3 Udinese 2, Inter Milan 3 Sampdoria 0, Juventus 4 Reggina 0, Lazio 3 Cagliari 1, Napoli 1 Livorno 0, Palermo 2 AC Milan 1, Parma 2 Torino 0, Siena 1 Atalanta Bergamo 1.

Spanish La Liga: Deportivo 0 Recreativo Huelva 2; Mallorca 4 Valladolid 2; Murcia 0 Almeria 1; Osasuna 4 Levante 1; Racing Santander 0 Villarreal 2; Valencia 2 Getafe 1; Athletic Bilbao 0 Atletico Madrid 2; Barcelona v Real Zaragoza (late kick-off).

Bundesliga Arminia Bielefeld 0 Hannover 96 2; Bayern Munich 5 Cottbus 0; Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Karlsruhe 1; Nurnberg 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2; VfB Stuttgart 1 VfL Bochum 0.