Lee’s lively lads hit the high fives
BRISTOL CITY continued their encouraging start to the season by romping into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 5-0 thrashing of Plymouth.
Lee Johnson’s men set their stall out on Saturday by becoming the Championship’s early pacesetters after beating Barnsley 3-1 – and last night they gave the Ashton Gate faithful another treat. The EFL Cup has been rebranded this season with a three-year backing from Thai energy drinks company Carabao – but whatever the name the focus on getting to Wembley is still as strong.
And the Robins made sure they were well and truly over the first hurdle as Jens Hegeler, Nathan Baker, skipper Korey Smith and debutant Freddie Hinds’ brilliant long-range effort skittled League One newcomers Plymouth.
City took their feet off the pedal after the break but there was still time for Jamie Paterson to add the fifth.
Harry Redknapp knows what it is like to win at Wembley – he led Portsmouth to FA Cup final glory in 2008 – and his Birmingham City side were also high-fiving as they put Crawley to the sword.
Che Adams completed a hat-trick and David Davis and substitute Robert Tesche were also on target. Panuche Camara hit a late consolation. Yeni Ngbakoto’s goal enabled QPR to squeeze through against Northampton, who played most of the second half with 10 men after Leon Barnett was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Luton, stunning 8-2 winners over Yeovil on Saturday, were left blank this time as David McGoldrick’s first-half effort put Ipswich through at Kenilworth Road.
Steve Fletcher struck twice while Gary Hooper and Sam Hutchinson were also on target as Sheffield Wednesday helped themselves to a 4-1 derby win over Chesterfield.
Barely two months after tasting play-off success with Blackpool at Wembley, Wigan midfielder Jordan Flores ensured his former club can forget any thoughts of a fairy-tale return there in the League Cup.
Flores scored his first Latics goal in nearly two years after Josh Laurent put them ahead. Armand Gnanduillet headed Blackpool’s reply.
Derby manager Gary Rowett was frustrated as he faced an extra fixture after their tie at Grimsby was abandoned after 19 minutes because of a waterlogged pitch.
Derby were leading through Richard Keogh’s header but both sides were struggling and referee Trevor Kettle had little option but to call a halt.