The Care-less Cup is a much maligned midweek distraction. Often used by Premier League bosses to blood youngsters and second-string players – last night was a typical circus of rest and rotation. So can it really offer any nuggets for us Fantasy Managers? Let’s pick through last night’s events and teamsheets to find out…

A first start for Mame Biram Diouf after his loan move for United and he responds with a hat-trick to see off Norwich. Sam Allardyce is looking for a striker in the window – does he need one? Diouf seems unlikely to start at the weekend if David Dunn makes a recovery (he failed to show last night) in time but he’ll surely get some pitch time. The Rovers lineup showed both Pascal Chimbonda and Vince Grella making returns from injury. Phil Jones appeared as a second-half sub to confirm that he had recovered from a knock received at Birmingham.

On the night Diouf was the obvious headline act although Morten Gamst Pedersen’s long throws were a feature. He help set up the first when his throw was flicked on by Samba and then provided two assists for Dioiuf’s remaining goals.

Roberto Martinez put out a relatively strong Wigan side at Hartlepool and came away with a 3-0 win to at least instil some confidence. Ali Al Habsi made his debut in goal and he could well come into the reckoning this weekend given that Chris Kirkland has conceded 10 goals so far this term. Certainly Stephen Caldwell would look odds on to be involved at Spurs after his debut brought calm to the Wigan back four last night.

West Brom fielded a largely second-string eleven in their win over Leyton Orient. Starts for Pablo Ibanez and Nicky Shorey perhaps indicate that they will remain on the bench at Anfield this weekend, although a foot injury to sub Marek Cech could yet hand Shorey the opportunity for a start.

Ian Holloway fielded just one player from his chosen lineup at the Emirates with Ludovic Sylvestre keeping his starting role. Dekel Keinan was given his full debut – he could be in line for a start at the weekend with Ian Evatt suspended. The Seasiders eventually went down 4-3 to the MK Dons in extra-time dumping out of the Carling Cup, although in truth, that’s probably a good result in terms of them preserving their Premier League status.

Bolton’s winner at Southampton came from Ivan Klasnic but it’s unlikely to win him the opportunity to come off the bench at home to Birmingham this weekend given Johan Elamander’s form. Owen Coyle rotated his troops last night with Zat Knight and Kevin Davies, who provided the assist for the goal, the only two who retained starting roles.

Tony Pulis put out a strong side in the 2-1 win over Shrewsbury. While keeper Asmir Begovic reported himself unavailable for selection, the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth were happy about playing and retained their starting berths at the back. Glenn Whelan, Matt Etherington and Jon Walters were also in the eleven once again.

It was Walters who opened the scoring, with Tuncay, who impressed as a sub at the weekend, rounding off the victory. He’ll be unlucky not to start at the weekend given his current form. Etherington provided both assists on the night – indication of his importance to the Stoke lineup and of course, his Fantasy potential.

Darren Bent notched his first goals from open play, scoring a brace to see off Colchester. Bent was partnered by Danny Welbeck in attack. Frazier Campbell was employed on the flank – perhaps suggesting that he could have his role reverted to that position in the near future. It was a strong Sunderland lineup on the night with Lee Cattermole returning from a one-match ban in midfield, whilst Michael Turner also came back from his ban to start in defence. Andy Reid also made his first appearance of the season as a sub on the hour-mark. He is likely to feature again this weekend although a subs role seems the best he can hope for.

The Sunderland showing was far from convincing on the night and Bruce expressed his concerns that they will need to improve markedly ahead of City’s visit at the weekend.

Avram Grant made six changes to his West Ham lineup for the visit of Oxford. There was little of note in this one apart from the fact that the Hammers struggled again, even against lower league opposition. The fact that young keeper Marek Stech was man of the match for the Hammers tells the tale.

It took Grant’s side until injury time to win the game courtesy of a Scott Parker effort. The fact that both Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne completed 90 minutes may suggest that one or both will drop out of the lineup at United at the weekend with Grant set to revert to a more solid 4-5-1 away for that one.

The Wolves lineup against Southend included both Ronald Zubar and George Elokobi, indicating that both players are unlikely to feature this weekend – perhaps reinforcing Kevin Foley’s start at right-back and the possible return from injury of Jelle Van Damme at left-back. David Edwards also returned to the lineup following a recent injury. It took the introduction of Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks Blake to swing the tie in Wolves’ favour in extra-time – Richard Stearman netting the late late winner.