Capital One Cup round-up

The Capital One Cup third round saw the teams competing in Europe enter the competition for the first time this season, and they did not disappoint with goals, upsets and goal-keeping errors.

Current holders, Liverpool, saw their youngsters defeat a relatively strong West Brom side at the Hawthorns 2-1. Nuri Sahin, on loan from Real Madrid, scored both goals after a Brad Jones error allowed Gabriel Tamas to give West Brom the lead. 

Chelsea and Arsenal both scored six as the London sides easily disposed of Wolves and Coventry respectively.

Aston Villa stunned Man City at the Etihad as they won 4-2 after extra time. Aston Villa’s reward in the next round is a trip to Swindon, who once again beat a team from a higher division in the form of Burnley. 

In an all-league two clash, Bradford came out on top against Burton, coming back from two goals down to win 3-2 in extra time. 

Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurdsson got off the mark for Tottenham as they won 3-0 at Carlisle. Swansea survived a scare at Crawley, coming from behind to win 3-2 through a last minute goal by Garry Monk.

Leeds stunned Everton with a 2-1 win and they will face Southampton in the next round, who beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 through a Jay Rodriguez double. 

Wayne Rooney returned as Man United beat Newcastle 2-1, who will console themselves with the return to goal-scoring form of Papiss Cissé. 

Wigan stunned West Ham at Upton Park cruising to a 4-1 win, while Norwich beat Doncaster 1-0 through an Alexander Tettey goal.

Reading beat QPR in a dramatic encounter, 3-2 with Pavel Pogrebnyak scoring the winner. The ten men of Sunderland knocked out MK Dons 2-0 and Middlesbrough won 3-1 at Preston.

The fourth round draw was made last night, and has thrown up a couple of exciting clashes, but none as appetising as Chelsea vs. Man United. 

Brendan Rodgers faces his former club as Liverpool entertain Swansea. In the other two all-Premier League clashes, Norwich face Tottenham and Arsenal travel to Reading. 

There is a North East derby match between Sunderland and Middlesbrough, while Leeds entertain Southampton. 

Wigan welcome the lowest ranked side left in the competition, Bradford City, to the DW Stadium and Swindon will be looking to add Aston Villa to their growing list of cup scalps. 

Paul Jones, Football correspondent