Manchester United‘s second-string proved their quality by swatting away Leeds United 3-0 at Elland Road in the Carling Cup third round.
GettyImagesRyan Giggs enjoys the moment after a fine solo effort made it 3-0 against Leeds
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Sir Alex Ferguson selected an attacking side – with midfielders Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick in defence – and they found the net on 15 minutes, Park Ji-Sung squaring for Michael Owen to score from 12 yards after Dimitar Berbatov’s pass opened up the Leeds defence.
And Owen gave Ferguson a reminder of his talents by scoring again on the half hour, rifling in from just outside the area after collecting Mame Diouf’s pass. Seconds before half-time the tie was over thanks to a wonder-strike from Ryan Giggs, who nutmegged Robert Snodgrass on the wing before curling in with the outside of his left foot.
Manchester United finished the game with Dimitar Berbatov at centre back after debutant Zeki Fryers sustained an injury and left the visitors with ten men.
A debut goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain spared Arsenal‘s blushes in a 3-1 victory over League Two side Shrewsbury. The minnows stunned their hosts after 16 minutes when James Collins netted from Marvin Morgan’s cross, but 15 minutes later the hosts were level, Kieran Gibbs arriving at the back post to meet Carl Jenkinson’s deep centre. And the Gunners veered away from embarrassment territory when Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was handed his first start, restored normality with a drilled strike on the hour.
With 12 minutes remaining Yossi Benayoun earned boss Arsene Wenger some breathing space with a measured finish from close range after showing faultless close control in the 18-yard box.
Nottingham Forest came from behind on three occasions before Fabricio Coloccini struck in the last minute of extra-time to hand Newcastle a 4-3 win at the City Ground.
The Magpies’ early pressure finally told five minutes before the break as Peter Lovenkrands finished coolly after Sylvain Marveaux’s pass – but, two minutes into the second period, Robbie Findley’s long-ranger flew into the net to put Forest level. Stung by that equaliser, Newcastle responded immediately, reclaiming the lead shortly afterwards via a Lovenkrands penalty.
The Magpies’ advantage lasted just five minutes, as summer signing Matt Derbyshire restored parity having latched onto ‘keeper Lee Camp’s long ball. After the game rumbled into extra time, Danny Simpson scored in the 93rd minute with a cross that flew straight in. Marcus Tudgay looked to have sent the game to penalties by notching in the 114th minute, but Coloccini had other ideas.
Massimo Luongo missed the decisive penalty as Stoke beat Tottenham 7-6 on penalties after the game finished 0-0 through 120 minutes.
Premier League strugglers Bolton Wanderers picked up a morale-boosting triumph by beating Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park. Following a forgettable first half, a thunderbolt from Trotters midfielder Chris Eagles on 54 minutes woke the game from its slumber, before on-loan Chelsea forward Gael Kakuta sealed the tie with a half-volley deep into the second period.
Beleaguered Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean celebrated back-to-back wins with a 3-2 triumph over Leyton Orient at Ewood Park. Jason Roberts atoned for a series of early misses by converting from the spot on 44 minutes following a foul on Martin Olsson, before David Mooney silenced Ewood Park by pulling the sides level on 64 minutes.
Three minutes later, Ruben Rochina crushed the visitors’ comeback by netting after fine work from Roberts before Simon Vukcevic gave Rovers a two-goal cushion – although there was a late consolation from Dean Cox.
Wolves bounced back from a weekend loss to QPR by thumping Millwall 5-0 at Molineux. The hosts settled their nerves with a fourth-minute opener from David Edwards, who tapped in after Sam Vokes’ header was parried into his path. Five minutes later Mick McCarthy’s side moved into a two-goal lead thanks to a 25-yard free-kick from Adam Hammill, and it was three shortly before half-time when George Elokobi struck. James Spray and Adlene Guedioura rounded off the scoring for Wolves.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace saw off Middlesbrough 2-1, Aldershot beat Rochdale 2-1, while Burnley emerged 2-1 winners over MK Dons.