NUNO’S HEROES SHOCK SAINTS...
WOLVES, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City led the way for EFL clubs in the Carabao Cup by knocking out Premier League opposition.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s superb start as Wolves boss continued as his troops knocked out last season’s finalists Southampton at St Mary’s.
Skipper Danny Batth headed home Ivan Cavaleiro’s header to put the Championship high-flyers ahead on 67 minutes and sub Donovan Wilson sealed an impressive victory late on.
A delighted Nuno said: “There were 11 changes but this result shows that there is no ‘starting XI’ at Wolves.
“They showed character, they showed quality and were able to compete against a very good team.”
Nottingham Forest went to Premier League new boys Newcastle United and triumphed 3-2 after extra-time. Reds striker Jason Cummings netted a quickfire double either side of Newcastle goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Rolando Aarons in an eventful first half.
The next goal arrive until the 97th minute and it was Mark Warburton’s men who struck, Tyler Walker getting the finishing touch to stun Rafa Benitez’s men.
Red-hot
Red-hot striker Bobby Reid bagged his fifth goal of the season as Bristol City beat Marco Silva’s Watford 3-2 at Vicarage Road. Freddie Hinds and Niclas Eliasson were also on target for the Robins, while Etienne Capoue and Adrian Mariappa netted for the Hornets, who had defender Jose Holebas sent off late on for two bookable offences. City’s archrivals Bristol Rovers earned an excellent 1-0 win at Fulham courtesy of Ellis Harrison’s early goal.
On-song Alfie May was on the scoresheet for the fourth game in a row as Doncaster Rovers also got the better of higher level opposition. The 24-year-old bagged the first against Hull on 48 minutes and Tommy Rowe added a second six minutes later.
Kemar Roofe hit a hattrick as Leeds United thrashed Newport County 5-1, while Scott Hogan netted a double in Aston Villa’s 4-1 victory against Wigan.
Sheffield United found the might of former Premier League champions Leicester City too much to handle, going down 4-1 at home, while a youthful Ipswich Town side gave a good account
of themdidn’t selves in their 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Josh Murphy bagged a double as Norwich came from behind to hammer Charlton 4-1, while Brentford won by the same scoreline to take the west London bragging rights with victory at QPR.
Controversy
There was some controversy in the midweek action, too. Two Blackburn fans ran on to the pitch after Jack Cork’s 27th minute opener for Burnley in their 2-0 east Lancashire derby victory.
One tried to confront Cork and grappled with Ashley Westwood before he was tackled by a steward and taken away.
Both supporters were arrested, along with a Burnley fan who was escorted out of Ewood Park after setting off a flare in the aftermath of Cork's goal.
Robbie Brady added a second for Premier League outfit Burnley in first half stoppage time to ensure their victory.
Meanwhile, Bolton boss Phil Parkinson and Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal were sent off in the closing minutes of the game between their sides after a touchline bust-up.
Bolton won 3-2 with goals from Dorian Dervite, Adam Armstrong and Jem Karacan. Jordan Rhodes struck twice for the Owls late on to set up a spicy finale.
OTHER RESULTS:
First Round – Grimsby 0 Derby 1. Second Round – Accrington 1 West Brom 3; Birmingham 1 Bournemouth 2; Brighton 1 Barnet 0; Cardiff 1 Burton 2; Carlisle 1 Sunderland 2; Middlesbrough 3 Scunthorpe 0; MK Dons 1 Swansea 4; Reading 3 Millwall 1 (aet); Cheltenham 0 West Ham 2; Huddersfield 2 Rotherham 1; Stoke 4 Rochdale 0. CARABAO CUP ROUND-UP