It was Carling Cup action for some clubs tonight with some red faces amongst the Premiership “elite”. Liverpool meanwhile put some reserves out for a Champions League something or other. Read my notes from tonights games…
Sunderland were the Premiership’s whipping boys tonight, going out 3-0 in the Carling Cup to League One Luton. Greg Halford was sent off for Keane’s men – his career at Sunderland has got off to a similar start to his life at Reading. Aside from Ward in goal for Gordon, Keane put a first choice eleven out but was well beaten on the night. Halford will now miss his date with Nani when Sunderland travel to Old Trafford at the weekend. Dan Higginbotham is likely to be drafted in at right-back to face Nani on his debut. Nani’s stock for the weekend rises several more points as a result.
Wigan meanwhile faired little better, surprisingly being turned over by Hull City by the odd goal. Manager Hutchings rested the likes of Koumas, Heskey, Landzaat and Valencia and paid the price.
Derby lost on penalties to Championship Blackpool. Camara and Fagan got Derby’s goals in normal time before Blackpool’s Michael Jackson netted the winning penalty in errr…a thriller (sorry). Derby where another to field a strong side with Steve Howard and Andy Todd the only real notable absences. Both appeared as second-half subs but couldn’t help Derby slipping to defeat in the tie.
Reading’s Sam Sodje was another to get his marching orders although Leroy Lita did the business at the over end, netting the winner and his first of the season as Reading beat Swansea. Coppell had Duberry back in his defence and gave runouts to Kitson and Convey who has just returned from suspension. Duberry, Kitson and Lita all seem set to push for starts at the weekend following the drubbing at Bolton.
Villa cruised past Wrexham with Maloney offering “keep me” plea to O’Neil by hitting a brace. Luke Moore, Reo Coker and Harewood rounded the night off. Villa rested the likes of Young, Carew and Petrov, although the Bulgarian got on after the hour mark. Moore and Maloney look set to start at the weekend should O’Neil choose to hold on to the former Celtic man.
Craig Bellamy also hit a brace as West Ham overcame Bristol Rovers. However, the result was overshadowed by the suspected leg break suffered by Kieron Dyer. Curbishley rested Upson and recalled Gabbidon in defence. Noble was dropped to the bench to accomodate Bowyer. Ashton missed out on getting another game under his belt as his wife was giving birth. Highly inconvenient.
Portsmouth were too strong for Leeds, running out 3-0 winners with a brace from Pamarot and a Nugent’s first (and maybe his last) senior strike for Redknapp’s men. Harry rested Campbell, James, Taylor and Kanu among others. Mendes returned in midfield after missing the Chelsea game. Kranjcar also made a first start of the season. Redknapp now seems to have a world of options opening up for him making his team selection beyond the weekend increasingly hard to predict, particularly as he’s unlikely to resist getting another new face or two before the window closes.
O’Connor and McSheffrey netted for Steve Bruce’s side as Birmingham beat Hereford 2-1. Bruce gave Vine and O’Connor their first starts up front along with Danns in midfield. Sadler also got his first start in defence alongside Ridgewell.
Fulham got a win at Shrewsbury courtesy of Diomansy Kamara’s first goal for the club. Sanchez played with Volz at right-back in place of the suspended Baird , while Pearce returned in the centre of defence as Zat Knight packed his bags for Villa Park. Elsewhere it was as expected for Fulham with Dempsey and Kamara starting for McBride and Bouazza.
Meanwhile, in the lesser known Champions League, Liverpool thrashed Toulouse 4-0 to win their Qualifying tie 5-0 on aggregate. Goals from Crouch, Hypia and a brace from Kuyt won the day for Rafa’s men. Kuyt is expected to start alongside Torres at the weekend and Hypia is set to continue alongside Agger while Carragher nurses his broken rib.