Manchester City’s new billionaire owners got a harsh taste of reality on Wednesday as the team were bundled out of the English League Cup by League One (third division) Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties.
The delayed second-round tie ended 2-2 after extra time before Brighton won the shoot-out 5-3 at the ramshackle Withdean Stadium on the Sussex coast.
In other third-round action, Chelsea cruised past Portsmouth, romping to a 4-0 victory at Fratton Park as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s unbeaten start continued in style.
High-flying Aston Villa were also on the end of a shock, losing 1-0 at home to Championship (second division) Queens Park Rangers. Holders Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a morale-boosting 2-1 victory at managerless Newcastle United.
Blackburn Rovers beat Everton 1-0 in an all-Premier League clash at Ewood Park and Wigan Athletic won 4-1 at Ipswich Town to book their place in the fourth round.
Manchester City’s new Abu Dhabi owners have vowed to make the club a force in English football and a 6-0 Premier League win over Portsmouth on Sunday increased the wave of optimism sweeping the club’s long-suffering fans.
A much-changed side, without British-record signing Robinho, seemed on course for victory at Brighton but Glenn Murray’s 89th-minute leveller sent the tie into extra time. Brighton went ahead through Joe Anyinsah before Stephen Ireland made it 2-2.
Frank Lampard was twice on target for Chelsea as Portsmouth suffered another thumping, following Sunday’s hammering by City.
The England midfielder put Chelsea ahead from the penalty spot before Florent Malouda made it 2-0 at half-time. Lampard killed off Portsmouth just after the break and Salomon Kalou completed the rout.
New Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scored his first goal for Tottenham at a less than half-full St James’ Park as the Premier League’s two bottom sides produced a tame tie.
Damion Stewart provided the night’s big surprise when he headed QPR’s winner in the second half at Villa Park.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all won their third-round ties on Tuesday. — Reuters