Manchester United's loss to Coventry City, Chelsea's 4-0 win under their new coach and a surprise loss at Villa Park highlight the latest in the League Cup championship.
Manchester United suffered a cup shock last night, losing 2-0 at home to Coca-Cola Championship Coventry in the third round of the Carling Cup. It was United's first defeat to lower league opposition on home soil since the 1995 humiliation by York City.
New Chelsea manager Avram Grant insists the spirit in his side cannot be questioned, after their 4-0 Carling Cup defeat of Hull. Chelsea also played an enterprising brand of football, at least once 18-year-old Scott Sinclair - one of seven changes following the 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Manchester United on Sunday - gave them the lead in the 37th minute.
A second-half goal from Matt Fryatt earned Leicester City a 1-0 win at Villa Park in the third-round tie against their former manager Martin O'Neill. Gary Megson challenged the Foxes to repeat their performance over Aston Villa - when they resume Coca-Cola Championship action at the weekend.
James McFadden's rich vein of form continued at Hillsborough as his second-half double sent Sheffield Wednesday spinning out of the Carling Cup. The Scotland international swept home at the far post in the 58th minute to warm the Everton fans after a dismal first half and then popped up in an identical position to head home Phil Neville's superb cross to seal the third-round tie with seven minutes remaining.
Bolton substitute Stelios Giannakopoulos came off the bench to score the goal which won this Carling Cup third-round tie for Bolton, 2-1. The Greek ace netted with eight minutes left, driving beyond goalkeeper Kasey Keller to give Sammy Lee's side only their second win of the season.
Arsene Wenger once again urged cautious optimism after watching his Arsenal youngsters book their place in the last 16 of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at Emirates Stadium. For long spells Arsenal dominated against Newcastle, and finally made the breakthrough with seven minutes left when Dane Nicklas Bendtner powered in a header before Brazilian teenager Denilson smashed in a 20-yard effort to seal victory.
Forgotten man Georgios Samaras netted a last-minute winner to give Manchester City a 1-0 Carling Cup victory over Norwich. Samaras, a £6million signing by Stuart Pearce, has never been a favourite of the City faithful, but Samaras found his range, charging clear of the Canaries defence to set the Blues fans chirping.
Fernando Torres struck a hat-trick in a rare start for Liverpool as they edged an entertaining Carling Cup third-round clash at Reading 4-2. Torres struck for a second time in the 70th minute when he converted a low cross from substitute John Arne Riise to restore Liverpool's lead. The Spaniard was now in his element and four minutes from the end he capped a superb performance with his hat-trick.
