Man City, United ease into League Cup quarter-finals
LONDON: Manchester United earned their second win over Brighton in five days as they booked a place in the League Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at the Amex Stadium.
It was much more comfortable for United than Saturday’s dramatic last-gasp 3-2 league victory, Scott McTominay heading in the opener shortly before halftime before Juan Mata and substitute Paul Pogba scored in the second half.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to the team that started at the weekend, with Victor Lindelof the only player to keep his place, and although United struggled for fluency they were too strong for a second-string Brighton side.
Holders Manchester City beat Burnley 3-0 thanks to a double from Raheem Sterling and new signing Ferran Torres’ first goal in English football.
Before the match, Pep Guardiola’s side suffered their heaviest home Premier League loss under the Spaniard on Sunday when Leicester handed them a humiliating 5-2 defeat.
”It was important we didn’t concede and the team was good in general,” Guardiola said.
“When you lose a game the most important thing is the next one. Firstly, because if you lose in this competition, you’re out.
“We are still far away from our best because we’re not training much. We have a lot of players out, six because of Covid and four injuries.
“But step by step when we have all the squad we will get better. We
are in the quarter-finals of this competition again so it’s good.”
Everton striker Dominic CalvertLewin continued his superb form with his second hattrick of the season as the Toffees outclassed West Ham United 4-1 at Goodison Park.
The 23-year-old took his season’s tally to eight goals in all competitions, more than any other Premier League player, and he became the first Everton player to score a hattrick in the League Cup since Paul Rideout against Lincoln City in 1993.
This form has strengthened his case to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for three internationals in October, which is due to be named this week.
Newcastle narrowly avoided an upset as Jonjo Shelvey’s late equaliser earned them a 1-1 draw against League Two (fourth tier) Newport County and set up a penalty shootout which the Premier League team won 5-4.