Wednesday 26th August

GOALS GALORE

There was certainly no shortage of goals in Wednesday's Carling Cup matches, last season's beaten finalists Tottenham Hotspur were the evening's biggest scorers as they put five past Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O'Hara, Peter Crouch, David Bentley and Roman Pavlyuchenko were the men on target for Harry Redknapp's side, Martin Woods netting a consolation penalty in response for Doncaster.

Although Blackpool fell one short of matching Spurs' scoreline they turned in arguably the result of the night by knocking out Premier League Wigan Athletic 4-1.

Ishmel Demontagnac set the Tangerines on the way after three minutes before Ben Burgess, Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher completed the rout. Antonio Amaya's goal four minutes into time added on would have been of little consolation to a well-beaten Latics' side.

JUST ENOUGH

Premier League Stoke City edged a tense game at the Matchroom Stadium thanks to a 30-yard winner early in extra-time. Former Reading striker Dave Kitons scored the only goal of the game to see off a plucky performance from Geraint Williams' side.

TAKEN TO THE WIRE

Newcastle United will be glad to see their name in the third draw for the third round after overcoming a scare from Huddersfield Town. The League 1 outfit have made a solid start to the season and showed no let up in front of goal against their Championship hosts.

A Danny Guthrie opener was short lived as two goals in three minutes from Theo Robinson swung the game the way of the Terriers at the end of the first half. Two minutes into the second period Jordan Rhodes then made it three for the away side but sixty seconds after that goal, Newcasttle clawed one back through Geremi. Shola Ameobi then levelled from the spot after 64 minutes before Kevin Nolan fired home the winner twenty minutes later to secure a late route to the next stage of the Carling Cup for the Magpies.

There was very little to choose between the sides at the Hawthorns either as West Bromwich Albion edged past League 2 opponents Rotherham United by the odd goal in seven. The game looked to be heading towards a penalty shoot-out when Simon Cox popped up to score the winner for the home side with four minutes of extra time left.

After a 2-2 draw had been played out over the opening 90 minutes, the Millers led for the first time eight minutes into extra time  that advantage was short lived when Craig Beattie levelled three minutes later and then Cox netted his first goal in Albion colours since his summer switch from Swindon Town.

Tuesday 25th August

CUP SHOCKS

Port Vale completed the double over the Sheffield clubs, beating Wednesday 2-0 after overcoming United 2-1 in the last round.

Micky Adams' side secured only their first league win at the weekend, but following their win at Bramall Lane in Round 1, confidence was high going into this one but their job was made easier when Francis Jeffers was sent off after 37 minutes, for violent conduct.

Kris Taylor finally opened the scoring for the home side on 63 minutes before his namesake Robert doubled the advantage just two minutes later.

Leeds United kept up their 100% record this season, with a 2-1 win over Championship side Watford.

The Elland Road club looked to be heading through after 90 minutes, Robert Snodgrass having given them the lead on 38 minutes. A last gasp equaliser from Marvin Sordell sent the game into extra time but Snodgrass struck again and sent Leeds through.

SAFELY THROUGH

Sunderland were the first team through to Round 3 following their 4-1 win over Norwich City in an action packed game at Carrow Road.

Teemu Tainio opened the scoring on 26 minutes before two quick fire goals from Andy Reid saw the Black Cats 3-0 10 minutes later.

The Canaries came out fighting in the second half and got themselves back into the match on 63 minutes, Wes Hoolahan with his second of the season.

But while Norwich were still celebrating the visitors had the ball in the net again, this time an own goal from Norwich new boy Owain Tudur Jones. Things went from bad to worse for the home side when defender Mickey Spillane was sent off with seven minutes to go, for a challenge which forced both Fraizer Campbell and his own goalkeeper off injured.

Having used all three substitutes Cody McDonald went between the sticks and did well, saving from Henderson and Andy Reid but in the end the damage was done and Sunderland take their place in the Round 3 draw.

Hull City followed up their first Premier League win with a convincing 3-1 win over Southend United, at the KC Stadium. Phil Brown made 11 changes from the side that beat Bolton Wanderers on Saturday but they made fairly easy work of the Coca-Cola League 1 side, opening the scoring after just seven minutes, through Tom Cairney.

Jozy Altidore made it 2-0 with three minutes of the first half remaining but a goal from Franck Moussa on the stroke of half time gave the Shrimpers hope.

But second half substitute Geovanni made sure of the win with a third goal and his first of the season on 75 minutes.

On paper Blackburn Rovers' trip to Gillingham could have been a tricky one but Rovers got the all important early goal they will have wanted, David Dunn taking just five minutes to open his account, for the season.

David Hoilett added a second just after the break but the Gills leading goalscorer Simeon Jackson fired the home side back into the game on 70 minutes beating Jason Brown from the penalty spot.

The joy though was short-lived as Morten Gamst Pedersen made it 3-1 just four minutes later.

Portsmouth have had a difficult start to the season but put that behind them as they secured their first win of the campaign with the 4-1 defeat of Coca-Cola League 2 side Hereford United.

Frederic Piquionne gave the home side the lead on 20 minutes and they were two up just three minutes later, John Utaka with his first of the season. Niko Kranjcar added a third just before the break before Richard Hughes put the game beyond The Bulls' reach, with his first goal in five and a half years.

Tristan Plummer, on loan from Bristol City, pulled a goal back from the penalty spot but it was all too little too late.

Birmingham City take their place in the Round 2 draw but not without some nervy moments. It took two goals in the last 13 minutes to give the Premier League side the win over Southampton.

Adam Lallana had fired the Saints ahead on 51 minutes but goals from Lee Bowyer and Lee Carsley, their first since January, secured the Blues place in Saturday's draw.

Bolton will join them after they beat Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park. Mark Davies' first senior goal for the club was enough to see of the challenge of John Barnes' side.

LEFT IT LATE

Barnsley came out on top in the all Championship clash at the Madejski Stadium but fans had to wait for the action to really get underway.

Alex Bogdanovic gave the Tykes the lead on 56 minutes but a Rob Kozluk own goal, timed as 90 minutes seemed to set up extra time for Reading.

Barnsley though had other ideas and Bogdanovich scored his second from the penalty spot deep into injury time after Kayode Odejayi was bought down by Alex Pearce.

Burnley, so often the star of cup shock's last season, were just six minutes from going out of the competition at the first hurdle.

They were trailing 1-0 at Hartlepool, who took the lead on 39 minutes through Adam Boyd, but Steven Fletcher, who came on as second half substitute, spared the Premier League side's blushes with a goal on 84 minutes, to send the tie into extra time.

The Scottish international then won the match for the Clarets, with a goal on 108 minutes.

West Ham overcame Millwall in the all London clash, but the game will make the headlines for events off the pitch after violence erupted at Upton Park.

Neil Harris looked like he'd sent the League 1 side through after scoring the opener on 26 minutes. Junior Stanislas sent the game into extra time though with a goal on 87 minutes and then gave the Hammers the lead for the first time with his second on 11 minutes later. Savon Hines made sure of the win with a third goal on 100 minutes.

It took a penalty shoot-out to separate Wolverhampton Wanderers and Swindon Town but in the end it was the Premier League club who secured their place in Round 3.

Neither side could break the deadlock in 120 minutes of football but in the end a cruel penalty miss from Gordon Greer ended the Robins fight and sent Wolves through.

The Round 3 draw takes place on Saturday 29th September at 12.15pm during Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.

RED MIST

Red mist descended on the Liberty Stadium, as seven man Swansea City went down 2-1 to Scunthorpe United.

Niall Canavan gave the Iron the lead on 13 minutes but a late strike from Stephen Dobbie got the home side back on level terms and set up 30 minutes of extra time. With just four minutes to go, of the 90, Garry Monk saw red but that was the least of the Swans worries.

Gary Hooper scored, what turned out to be the winner, from the penalty spot on 111 minutes and just five minutes later Gorka Pintado was shown the red card for a second bookable offence. Angel Rangel quickly followed him back to the dressing room, given his marching orders for violent conduct. The Swans were reduced to seven men when goalscorer Dobbie went off injured, while Besian Idrizaj, also struggling with injury, was persuaded to go back onto the field, otherwise Referee James Linnington would have been forced to abandon the match.

Click here for all the results and lineups from the Carling Cup