London, Sep 27 (IANS) English Division One outfit Coventry stunned an inexperienced Manchester United side to send the Premier League champions crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.
Cheered by more than 11,000 travelling fans, Iain Dowie’s side were impressive throughout the Wednesday evening game against the hosts who fielded Anderson, Nani, John O’Shea and Tomasz Kuszczak.
When Jonny Evans failed to clear, Coventry’s Michael Doyle sent the ball into the area for Michael Mifsud to give the visitors a first-half lead in the 27th minute.
Coventry deserved their advantage and while United fought hard for an equaliser in the second half, Mifsud doubled the lead with 20 minutes left to play.
New manager Avram Grant fielded a strong Chelsea side for their 4-0 win at Hull.
A very cool finish by Scott Sinclair gave the troubled London outfit an early lead. Salomon Kalou claimed a second for Chelsea as he and defender Damien Delaney jointly headed the ball past Hull goalkeeper Bo Myhill.
Steve Sidwell made it three on 52 minutes to put the game firmly beyond the hosts and Kalou wrapped it up with an easy fourth, after substitute Joe Cole worked his way in from the left.
Everton recovered from a stuttering start to beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 at Hillsborough.
David Moyes’ side hit Wednesday on the break to take a 58th-minute lead. Steven Pienaar threaded a fine pass into Ayegbeni Yakubu’s path down the right and his curling low cross at the far post was met by James McFadden, who comfortably side-footed home his second goal of the season for Everton.
McFadden made it 2-0 with six minutes left and strike partner Yakubu rounded the night off with a third a minute later.
Birmingham were knocked out by Blackburn at Ewood Park, but manager Steve Bruce will have been more concerned by a worrying injury to goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
City lost 0-3 to goals by David Bentley, a Matt Derbyshire penalty and Roque Santa Cruz, but the game was marred by Kingson’s injury.
Late in the first half, he hit his head against the post after an aerial challenge with Chris Samba and, after receiving treatment, collapsed and had to be taken off.
Jermain Defoe made a rare start for Tottenham Hotspur but was withdrawn before his side went on to beat Middlesbrough 2-0.
Defoe’s lively performance was not enough to earn him a goal. Substitute Robbie Keane was introduced in his place and he helped set up youngster Gareth Bale, who put the ball beyond Brad Jones before Tom Huddlestone made sure of the win moments later.
Local lad Matt Fryatt scored the winner in Leicester’s 1-0 win at Premier League side Aston Villa.
Iain Hume had wasted Leicester’s best chance when he headed wide from close range when well placed in a half of few clear-cut chances at Villa Park. But Fryatt livened up proceedings by putting the visitors ahead after 76 minutes.
An injury-time winner from Dean Ashton sent West Ham United through against Division One club Plymouth.
The game was heading for extra-time until Ashton popped up at the death to fire West Ham in front and secure a fourth-round spot.
Fulham and Bolton Wanderers headed for extra-time when David Healy cancelled out Danny Guthrie’s debut goal for the latter.
Sammy Lee sent veteran Stelios Giannakopoulos on as an extra-time substitute and the Greek fired home a well-earned winner to book Bolton their place in the fourth round.