Chelsea sail, MU fail
Manchester United crashed out of the League Cup as Coventry's Maltese striker Michael Mifsud scored twice in his side's shock 2-0 victory at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Sir Alex Ferguson rested all 11 of the players who started against Chelsea on Sunday and his lack of interest in the third round tie was reflected in a sloppy display by United's reserves.
"We could never have believed that performance," Ferguson said. "We think the young players have good ability but that was disappointing.
"They should be looking at themselves. Coventry made it a real cup-tie and we were second to every ball. They deserved to win."
It was the Premier League champions' first defeat in six matches, but a team including big-money signings Nani and Anderson deserved little better after being stung by Mifsud.
The 26-year-old is nicknamed the 'Mosquito' and he was a pest for United all night as Ferguson's side lost to lower league opposition at home for the first time in 12 years.
Memories of that defeat against York came flooding back as Coventry, who arrived at Old Trafford without a win in three games and sitting eighth in the Championship, took the game to United.
Roared on by over 11,000 fans, Iain Dowie's side took the lead in the 27th minute when Sky Blues skipper Michael Doyle stole in at the far post and delivered a low cross back across goal for Mifsud to convert from close range.
It was the first goal United had conceded in six matches and they never recovered.
Mifsud grabbed a second in the 70th minute with a fierce finish from Jay Tabb's flick to send Coventry into dreamland.
Avram Grant got his first win as Chelsea manager as the League Cup holders started their defence of the trophy with a 4-0 victory against Hull.
Grant's debut after replacing Jose Mourinho ended in defeat at Manchester United at the weekend, but he avoided a third round embarrassment at the KC Stadium thanks to goals from Scott Sinclair, Salomon Kalou and Steve Sidwell.
The Israeli insisted he was not concerned by reports linking Dutch coach Marco van Basten to his job.
He said: "Managers come and go. The only thing that always remains are the supporters, but their commitment and my commitment is to the club first of all.
"I want the players to want to play for the club, that's the most important thing."
Teenage winger Sinclair broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when he met Shaun Wright-Phillips's cross with a first-time finish.
Kalou added the second with 47th minute. Then Sidwell blasted in his first goal for the club from the edge of the penalty area five minutes later before Kalou notched a fourth in the 81st minute.
Leicester's Matty Fryatt stunned Aston Villa as his late strike gave the Championship team a 1-0 win.
Fryatt settled a tense tie at Villa Park in the 76th minute when he slotted home from a tight angle.
It was Leicester's first win under new manager Gary Megson and their first in five matches.
Shaun Maloney had Villa's best chance but wasted it and, although Martin O'Neill's men had plenty of pressure, they were unable to escape an embarrassing defeat.
Martin Jol could breathe a sigh of relief as Tottenham beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
Speculation over Jol's future continues but second half goals from Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone lightened the mood in north London.
Dean Ashton hit a 90th minute winner to send West Ham through with a 1-0 victory over Plymouth at Upton Park.
Ashton's third goal in three games was enough to see off the Championship side after a dominant display from the Hammers, who gave a debut to Scott Parker after his return from a knee injury.
James McFadden's double striker set Everton on their way to a 3-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday.
McFadden scored his first goal since hitting the memorable winner for Scotland against France earlier this month in the 59th minute at Hillsborough.
He was on the score sheet again in the 84th minute when he converted Yakubu's pass and then he returned the favour by setting up the Nigerian striker's 85th minute goal.
Blackburn demolished Birmingham 3-0 at Ewood Park.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce made 11 changes from the side that drew at Liverpool on Saturday and paid the price.
England winger David Bentley opened the scoring in the 66th minute and Matt Derbyshire's penalty made it two before Roque Santa Cruz struck in the last minute.
Bolton claimed only their second win this season thanks as Stelios Giannakopoulos's extra-time goal sealed a 2-1 win at Fulham.
Sammy Lee's side took the lead through Danny Guthrie but David Healy's late goal sent the tie into an additional 30 minutes before Stelios won it in the 112th minute.
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