Capital One Cup: Winners and Losers from Wednesday Games
The third round of the Capital One Cup is complete after eight matches played out Wednesday night.
In north London, the unlikely figure of Mathieu Flamini settled matters between rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. At Anfield, Liverpool survived a big scare from Carlisle United after 120 minutes and a nervy penalty shootout.
Here, B/R selects winners and losers from Wednesday's action.
Wednesday's Scores
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Here is a look at all of Wednesday's scores:
Crystal Palace 4-1 Charlton Athletic
MK Dons 0-6 Southampton
Newcastle United 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Norwich City 3-0 West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Arsenal
Walsall 1-4 Chelsea
Liverpool 1-1 Carlisle (after extra time; Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties)
Manchester United 3-0 Ipswich Town
Winner: Mathieu Flamini
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Perhaps, in hindsight, we should have expected a night of firsts.
Wednesday represented Flamini's first start of the season for Arsenal. The rarely used 31-year-old midfielder was making his first start in the league cup in nine seasons.
Naturally, then, he scored two good goals—his first-ever brace—to give the Gunners a 2-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Of course.
The first came midway through the first half. Flamini pounced on a rebound as Michel Vorm could only parry an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shot. With the score level at 1-1 in the 78th minute, Flamini opportunistically volleyed in a loose ball for what turned out to be the winner.
Who would have thought it? Surely not even Flamini.
"I'm happy for the team and personally," the midfielder told Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport). "I've heard many things in the press, and I am still here. I don't have any problems with anyone at the club."
Flamini added: "It is never easy when you don't play every game. I had a point to prove."
Loser: Harry Kane
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Harry Kane didn't play poorly. In fact, the 22-year-old striker came close to scoring more than once as Tottenham lost, 2-1, at home to rivals Arsenal.
But in the end, Kane went scoreless again. That means he's now gone eight appearances without a goal this season, and self-doubt might just be creeping in.
In fairness, Kane did well to direct a spectacular over-the-shoulder volley on target midway through the second half. Had it gone in, Spurs might have won the game and Kane might have kick-started his season. Instead, Kieran Gibbs cleared off the line, and Kane had to wait even longer for his first strike of the new campaign.
It was probably inevitable that Kane would struggle to match the euphoric heights he reached last season, but as each game goes by without a goal, concern must be mounting.
Winner: Southampton
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Southampton made light work of their trip to MK Dons, winning, 6-0, as Jay Rodriguez, Sadio Mane and Shane Long scored twice each.
The Saints did it with a minimum of fuss. Rodriguez and Mane both scored within the opening 10 minutes, and Mane's second made it 3-0 midway through the half. After the break, the visitors had the luxury of coasting to an easy victory ahead of this weekend's home match against Swansea City in the Premier League.
Loser: Newcastle United
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Newcastle hardly could have asked for a better draw in the third round, at home to Sheffield Wednesday, who are currently 14th in the League Championship.
One would have thought as much, anyway. Instead, the Magpies lost yet again, falling 1-0 to the second-tier side thanks to Lewis McGugan's strike from outside the box.
It's been a rough season for Newcastle, who have lost four of their first six games in the Premier League and look set for a grueling relegation fight. The mood around St. James' Park was, not surprisingly, quite dour at full time, with the home support fed up with owner Mike Ashley.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer summed it up on Twitter. "A championship team at home was a good draw," the retired striker tweeted. "We are just not very good!"
Winners: Debutants (and Another Recent Addition)
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It was a good night for debutants in the Capital One Cup.
Kenedy, a 19-year-old Brazilian, made his competitive debut for Chelsea against Walsall after signing from Fluminense in the summer. Against the League One side, he scored a goal, set up another and completely looked the part of a future star for the Blues.
Kenedy goal and assist on first Chelsea start
"Kenedy could be quite the talent for #cfc in the next couple of years," tweeted the London Evening Standard's Joe Krishnan. "One goal, one assist on his full debut. Impressive showing."
At Old Trafford, another 19-year-old Brazilian, Manchester United's Andreas Pereira, also scored a goal on his competitive debut. Pereira did it with a lovely free-kick, curling in the Red Devils' second of the night.
The third belonged to Anthony Martial, who signed for big money on deadline day and now has four goals in four appearances with the club.
Winner: Adam Bogdan
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Liverpool narrowly averted disaster at Anfield, beating fourth-tier Carlisle, 3-2, on penalties. Adam Bogdan was the star of the shootout, saving three kicks to give his side—and manager—a much-needed victory.
The hosts huffed and puffed over 120 minutes, taking an astonishing 47 shots, per BBC Merseyside Sport, but scoring just one goal, through Danny Ings. Carlisle United hit back.
If you read the papers, you will have known that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers entered the match squarely on the hot seat. According to the Daily Mail, the Anfield club have already made contact with former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. Meanwhile, speculation continually links the club with former Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp.
Squeaking out a victory over Carlisle was probably enough to keep Rodgers in charge, at least for the moment. But the Northern Irishman will be under intense pressure to turn around a poor run of recent results.
