English League Cup round-up:Owen Hargreaves enjoyed a sensational Manchester Citydebut as he opened the scoring in his side's 2-0 Carling Cup triumph over defending champions Birminghamat the Etihad Stadium.
Released by Manchester United in the summer after three injury-ravaged seasons, the midfielder drove home a superb 25-yard shot after 18 minutes and was deservedly named man of the match. Mario Balotelli added a second before the break to secure City’s passage into the last 16 and end the holders’ interest.
Craig Bellamy's inspired performance helped Liverpoolsecure progression to the fourth round as they condemned Brightonto their first competitive defeat at the Amex Stadium, winning 2-1.
The 32-year-old flourished on his second full debut for the club, having rejoined the Reds from Manchester City in the summer.
Bellamy broke the deadlock in the seventh minute with a neat finish from an awkward angle and performed with aplomb throughout, including a superb 30 yard free-kick that rattled the crossbar.
Despite having overcome Sunderland in the previous round, the Seagulls never looked likely to add another Premier League scalp in the first half but improved greatly after the break.
Craig Noone’s superb curling effort hit the crossbar shortly after the restart and Ashley Barnes scored a late penalty, although Dirk Kuyt had already put the tie out of reach.
Chelsea'spenalty-shootout curse ended in the most dramatic fashion as they beat Fulham4-3 victory on spot kicks after 120 minutes of football had failed to see a goal scored at Craven Cottage.
Pajtim Kasami hit the crossbar with a second-half spot-kick and Bryan Ruiz did the same in the subsequent shootout, with replays inconclusive as to whether the ball crossed the line.
Chelsea’s win improved their miserable record of seven penalty shootout defeats from their previous eight and gave manager Andre Villas-Boas another chance to blood his youngsters in the next round.
Evertoncaptain Phil Neville put the disappointment of losing his first-team place behind him to score the extra-time goal which earned the Toffees a 2-1 victory over West Bromat Goodison Park.
The 33-year-old had watched the last two matches as an unused substitute but when recalled for the visit of the Baggies the defender was the unlikely match-winner.
Various attacking combinations had failed to find a breakthrough after Chris Brunt’s penalty midway through the second half had given the visitors the lead. But Marouane Fellaini gave Everton a lifeline they barely deserved with an unstoppable 89th-minute volley.
And Neville, who has fallen behind Tony Hibbert in the pecking order for right back, showed his forwards how it should be done with a quality left-footed finish from outside the area in the first half of extra-time.
Paul Quinn scored the decisive spot-kick as Cardiffprogressed 7-6 on penalties against Leicesterfollowing a 2-2 draw.
Quinn, who had been nursing a groin injury for most of extra-time, slotted home the winner after Gelson Fernandes had missed for the Foxes.
Don Cowie opened the scoring for Cardiff with a header, only for Steve Howard to poke home his first goal of the season to equalise.
Lloyd Dyer slammed in Leicester’s second before Rudy Gestede’s first goal for Cardiff forced extra-time.
Adam Lallana climbed off the bench to secure a 2-1 victory for Southamptonover Preston, their 15th successive home victory.
Saints went ahead in the 27th minute when Preston failed to deal with a far-post corner and Dutch centre half Jos Hooiveld, on loan from Celtic, reacted first in the six-yard box to tuck the loose ball home.
Preston came up with a shock leveller six minutes after the interval when Bartosz Bialkowski could only parry a shot from Darel Russell and Adam Barton squeezed in the rebound.
