The Mid-week Review

by Danny Wright

The Carling Cup was the focus of this week’s football, as teams from across the land battled it out for a place in the fourth round. Fernando Torres was recalled to the Liverpool side for their 4-2 win over Reading, and the Spaniard didn’t disappoint as he chipped in with a fine hat-trick to help the Reds on their way. Yossi Benayoun put Liverpool ahead but Bobby Convey and John Halls hit back for the hosts, however they were undone by the magic of Torres to send Liverpool through.

A youthful Arsenal side dumped Newcastle out of the Carling Cup, as late strikes from Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson sealed the win. Recalled keeper Shay Given kept the score down with a string of fine saves to deny a buoyant Arsenal side.

A much changed Manchester City side avoided a cup upset as they defeated Norwich 1-0 at Eastlands. Out-of-favour striker Georgios Samaras scored in the last minute to send his side through as plucky Norwich return to Championship formalities on Saturday.

Portsmouth were assigned a tricky task as they took on Championship outfit Burnley at Turf Moor. David Nugent’s goal proved enough for Harry Redknapp’s men, however Steve Cotterill’s men were left seething as a suspected handball from Nugent in the build up to the goal went unnoticed by the officials. The Clarets pushed hard for an equaliser but couldn’t find a way through the Pompey defence.

Morecambe’s giant-killing heroics were ended by a ruthless Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Having beaten Championship sides Wolves and Preston in the previous two rounds you could forgive United for feeling a little uneasy, however they showed no nerves in despatching The Shrimps with ease, as braces from Billy Sharp and Luton Shelton paved the way for the win.

Hull welcomed Chelsea and under-pressure manager Avram Grant to the KC Stadium with a spectacular fire-works display, but it couldn’t spark the home side into life as they were easily beaten 4-0 by the former champions. The impressive Scott Sinclair opening the scoring after the 37th minute, with Salomon Kalou grabbing a double and Steve Sidwell’s fine strike completing the rout. Hull battled hard but never troubled a solid Chelsea backline.

Coventry sprung the upset of the round as they dumped a changed Manchester United side out with an excellent 2-0 win at Old Trafford. Michael Mifsud had a night to remember as his double sealed the win, sending 11000 travelling fans into delirium.

Championship side Leicester also upset Premiership, this time Aston Villa feeling the pinch as they were beaten 1-0, Matt Fryatt scoring the decisive goal. Bolton lifted the gloom as they beat Fulham after extra time, Stelios with the winning goal. Everton avoided an upset against Championship opposition, Sheffield Wednesday comprehensively beaten 3-0 thanks to James McFadden’s double and Yakubu’s late strike. Keeper Stefan Wessels suffered a nasty head injury early in the game, but soldiered on to keep a deserved clean sheet.

Not so fortunate was Birmingham’s Richard Kingston, who had to be taken to hospital with a head injury after colliding with the post and Rovers’ Chris Samba. Things didn’t get much better for the visitors as David Bentley’s great strike found the top corner, with Matt Derbyshire adding a penalty and Roque Santa Cruz’s diving header completing the win.

Tom Huddlestone and baby-face assassin Gareth Bale lifted the pressure off manager Martin Jol as they beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at White Hart Lane; meanwhile West Ham felled Plymouth thanks to Dean Aston’s strike.

Luton also booked their place in the next round as they beat Charlton 3-1 after extra time. Dean Sinclair opened the scoring for the Addicks, but Steve Robinson brought the Hatters level as Matthew Spring and Drew Talbot scored in extra time to dump Alan Pardew’s side out. Blackpool also go through to the next stage, beating Southend 2-1 in added time, as Cardiff dumped out West Brom 4-2 at Hawthorns.