Shock loss for teams

FOOTBALL: Premier League sides Norwich and Crystal Palace bowed out of the League Cup on Tuesday, beaten by fourth-tier sides Crawley Town and Colchester United respectively. Democratic Republic of Congoborn Beryly Lubala scored Crawley’s goal – his fifth of the season – in their 1-0 win over a second-string Norwich side for the victor’s first ever win over top-tier opposition. Colchester progressed on penalties after they had held Palace to a scoreless draw after 90 minutes – Noah Chilvers converting the decisive penalty. It was Colchester’s first win over topflight opposition in the League Cup since 1979.

Els banks on Scott

GOLF: Presidents Cup team captain Ernie Els is leaning heavily on Australian No.1 Adam Scott as the International team look to break the United States’ 21-year stranglehold on the event. Scott will suit up for his ninth Presidents Cup when the teams square off at Royal Melbourne in December and Els says he will look to the veteran, who has been in impressive form. “He’s going to be front and centre, one of the leading guys on the team,” Els said.

Red Star in big league

FOOTBALL: Socceroo Milos Degenek can look forward to another season in the Champions League after Red Star Belgrade qualified for the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition yesterday. Red Star drew 1-1 with Switzerland’s Young Boys which was enough to see the Belgrade side advance after the teams finished 3-3 on aggregate. The draw for the Champions League group stage takes place tomorrow.

Woolf takes control

RUGBY LEAGUE: He has not coached an NRL game but Knights caretaker coach Kristian Woolf could this week control elite sides in the southern hemisphere, northern hemisphere and Pacific. Woolf could be head coach of Newcastle, St Helens and Tonga – an extraordinary situation for an assistant coach. Woolf is this week poised to be named coach of British Super League side St Helens, the position vacated by Gold Coast-bound Justin Holbrook.

Supercars shake-up