The Carling Cup saw our Premiership managers turning to their second string lineups which for Arsenal, means another dominant display from their youngsters, while for Sunderland, Stoke, Fulham and West Ham it meant a real struggle against their lower league opponents.

Elsewhere, United and Liverpool edged through, as Ronaldo started at Old Trafford and got fantasy managers twitching by scoring the first of many goals this season.

Here’s the notes on tonight’s games…

Wenger put out a side with an average age of 19 for their tie with Sheffield United and watched them dismantle their Championship opponents. It was Vela and Bendtner who did the business, scoring five goals between them. Both are likely to figure on the bench against Bolton – although Wenger will clearly have been given food for thought as a result of their performances. Clearly Arsenal’s young talent have the ability to give Wenger the option to rotate when required, although Van Persie and Adebayor look odds on to start against Hull this weekend. Significantly, Song also started this one and will therefore presumably find himself on the bench against Bolton this weekend which should protect Denilson’s start in central midfield.

United put out a fairly strong lineup in their victory over Boro. Ferguson started with Brown, Vidic, O’Shea, Nani, Anderson Giggs and Ronaldo. Tevez meanwhile appeared as a second half sub for Giggs. Ronaldo will grab the fantasy headlines, opening the scoring with a towering header from a Giggs corner. A full strength Boro equalised in the second half from a Johnson strike, before goals from Giggs and Nani sealed the win.

The result was marred by a shocking challenge by Boro’s Pogatetz on United’s Rodrigo Possebon which saw the midfielder treated for over five minutes before being stretchered off with a suspected broken leg. Pogatetz received a straight red for serious foul play and will serve an immediate three match ban.

Liverpool edged past Crewe as Rafa predictably shuffled his pack to hand Degen, Hyypia, Pennant, Lucas, Babel, Ngog and Agger starts. It was Agger who opened the scoring – demonstrating his shooting ability, when he drove home a free kick after 15 minutes. Lucas scored the eventual winner mid-way through the second half, a goal which prompted Rafa to hand Torres some more action. Rafa will of course make a host of changes for the Merseyside derby at the weekend, although Agger was described as “fantastic” by his boss after the game and must surely threaten a Premiership start soon.

Stoke sneaked through after penalties against Reading with Pulis making eight changes to the side that drew at Anfield last weekend. Roy Keane’s Sunderland also needed penalties to see off Northampton after being 2-0 down. Keane put out a strong side with Ferdinand and Nosworthy offering stability in central defence while Whitehead kept his place in midfield. Around them, the likes of Edwards, Reid, Leadbitter, Healy and Murphy handed starts. Stokes struck both Sunderland’s goals with just four minutes left on the clock, taking the game to spot-kicks.

Fulham went crashing out to Championship Burnley with Hodgson opting to rest the majority of his first team lineup. The likes of Konchesky, Gera and Johnson all started but they weren’t enough to prevent Hodgson’s side from slipping to a 1-0 defeat.

West Ham were the other Premiership casualties with a Hayden Mullins own goal enough to send them packing against Championship Watford. Zola put out a strong side with Upson, Neill, Noble, Faubert and Di Michele all lining up. Carlton Cole missed out with a slight knock, while Ashton is still sidelined and therefore a major doubt for the weekend trip to Fulham.

Injuries and Bans
There were just a couple of injuries of note with Arsenal’s Alexandre Song sustained a knock and was replaced on 69 minutes. Liverpool’s Degen suffered a couple of broken ribs against Crewe and will now face another spell on the sidelines having just returned from injury. His absence will once again protect Arbeloa’s starting role at right-back in the Liverpool side. United’s Rodrigo Possebon meanwhile suffered a suspected broken leg as a result of Pogatetz’s challenge and was carried off on 65 minutes.

Pogatetz will now serve an immediate three match ban and will miss Boro’s games with West Brom, Wigan and Chelsea. His absence is likely to see Wheater restored to a central defensive role with Hoyte returning at right back and Taylor holding on to the left back role.