The Mid-week Review

by Danny Wright

Chelsea beat Leicester City 4-3 in an enthralling Carling Cup tie at Stamford Bridge. Championship side Leicester shocked their Premeriship opponents in the sixth minute when they took a suprise lead, Gareth McAuley's header beating Carlo Cudicini. The home side regained their composure though as Frank Lampard scored twice inside ten minutes to restore parity, but Avram Grant's men fell behind again when DJ Campbell and Carl Cort punished some slack Chelsea defending. Out-of-sorts strike Andriy Shevchenko was on hand to fire home a superb equaliser, and stalwart Lampard was on hand again to save Chelsea's blushes as his deflected effort crept over the line. It was a brave effort from managerless Leicester, who were indebted to keeper Martin Fullop's heriocs, whose saves kept the Foxes in the tie for long periods of a thrilling game.

Premiership big-boys Arsenal had no such qualms in dispatching Sheffield United, as they beat Bryan Robon's sorry Blades 3-0 at Brammal Lane. Eduardo's thunberbolt gave Arsene Wenger's young guns the lead after eight minutes and he was on hand again to double the advantage, cooly slotting home Kieran Gibb's pass. Denilson completed the win late on to send rampagaing Arsenal into the quarter-finals.

Robbie Fowler's return to Anfield wasn't a happy one as his Cardiff side went down 2-1 at Liverpool despite a brave fight. Nabil El Zhar rattled home a peach of a strike to give Liverpool the lead, but the Welsh side hit back when Darren Purse nodded them level, only for captain-fantastic Steven Gerrard to steal Fowler's thunder with a well-worked goal.

Merseyside rivals Everton were given a scare by Luton at Kenilworth Road, taking the Toffees to extra time before succumbing to Tim Cahill's goal, meanwhile West Ham beat Coventry 2-1 at the Rioch Arena thanks to a Marcus Hall own goal and Carlton Cole's late effort.

Juande Ramos's much anticipated first game in charge of Tottenham resulted in a win for the new-look Spanish managment at White Hart Lane, Blackpool on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat, the goals coming from Robbie Keane and Pascal Chimbonda. Paul Robinson was restored to the side at the expense of Radek Cerny, but the England Number One did him self few favours with an unconvincing display.

A dour game came into life in the final five minutes at the Reebok Stadium where Manchester City beat Bolton with a smash and grab effort, Elano's 86th minute penalty denying Gary Megson's side. Bolton rallied late into the night with El Hadj Diouf hitting the bar and Michael Ball clearing off the line for City.

Blackburn's fine season continued at Portsmouth with a 2-1 win, goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen and Benni McCarthy seeing of Harry Redknapp's men.

images - bbc.co.uk/sport