Holders Manchester United cruised to a 5-2 victory at Scunthorpe United's Glanford Park. With Reds boss Sir Alex in Spain to scout their next CL opponent, Valencia, Mike Phelan took the reins.
The Scunnys took the lead in the 19' minute, but Darren Gibson equalized a few minutes later and the Red Devils never looked back. Defender Chris Smalling added a second before the half, and in the second half United put on a clinic for the 9,000+ capacity crowd. Michael Owen added a brace to the tally on either side of Ji-Sung Park's strike in the 58'. The Reds were averaging a goal about every 13'.
Scunny manager Ian Baraclough was resolute about his side's performance:
Premier League sides, Liverpool, C-Scum, and City were not so fortunate in their ties.
"I couldn't fault the lads, we just kept going forwards, but we left ourselves open a bit. We learned a harsh lesson tonight but if you do that to any team, not just Manchester United, they'll punish you."
West Brom came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1. Jo's left-footed strike put the visitors ahead on 19 minutes, but two goals in quick succession from Gianni Zuiverloon and Simon Cox sent Roberto Mancini's men crashing out.
Shola Ameobi's last-gasp winner secured a surprise 4-3 win for Newcastle to send Chelsea crashing out as well. Nicolas Anelka's two late goals looked to have been enough to force extra-time at Stamford Bridge, but Ameobi's glancing header from Jonas Gutierrez's cross sealed an impressive win for the Magpies.
Chelsea looked set for a comfortable victory after Patrick van Aanholt scored his first senior goal after six minutes, but Nile Ranger, who was at fault for the opener, went some way to atone for his mistake when he equalised shortly before the half-hour mark. Just moments later Ryan Taylor's free-kick put the visitors ahead, and Ameobi scored his first to give Newcastle a 3-1 lead shortly after half-time.
To add insult to injury, Chelsea lost Salomon Kalou to a hamstring injury, and when Yossi Benayoun hobbled off, Chelsea had no option but to continue the match with ten men with Carlo Ancelotti having already employed all three of his substitutes.
Liverpool's poor start to the season continued as they were sent crashing out of the Carling Cup by League Two side Northampton 4-2 on penalties.
Pool manager Roy Hodgson apologized to the fans for the dismal display at home:
"I don't think we came anywhere near what I hoped to see apart from in the last 15 minutes of extra-time when we made a superb effort after going 2-1 down. When it goes to penalties and you are at home and in front of the Kop your hope is that at least the players will have the composure and confidence to win the penalty shoot-out but we didn't. All I can do is congratulate Northampton and apologise to everyone; the fans came expecting to see us win and I expected us to win but it wasn't to be."
Enough about the losers, here are some photos of the winners!
Rio Ferdinand returned to Captain's role with Vidic having the night off
Owen, Macheda, Rio, and Smalling congratulate Darren Gibson on his first-half equalizer
Chris Smalling made the score 2-1 before halftime
Michael Owen made the Scunnys pay for going forward and giving the likes of him a free run on the goal
Owen and team-mates Chicharito, Ando, and Ji-Sung relish the 3-1 score
Ji-Sung gets in on the scoreline with his 4-1 kick
Owen added another in the 70' to secure his brace and a 5-1 lead
Bebe had his first runout, subbing on for Park
This blog can never have too many Michael Owen photos...
United won 5-2 and will advance to the fourth round.
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