CARLING CUP REVIEW

A review of Barclays Premier League sides in Carling Cup third round action.

Owen Hargreaves enjoyed a dream Manchester City debut as he put the Blues on the way to a 2-0 victory in their Carling Cup tie with holders Birmingham City at the Etihad Stadium.

After making just two brief appearances in three years, Hargreaves has achieved full fitness far quicker than Roberto Mancini expected when he surprisingly signed the former England man in AugustHargreaves quickly repaid that faith, rifling home from 25 yards after just 17 minutes. The midfielder loitered behind a skirmish involving both Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez and when the ball broke, he smacked it into the far corner, running away in almost total disbelief.

The hosts did need a second though and it duly arrived seven minutes from the break when Aleksandar Kolarov crossed low from the left and Balotelli met it perfectly, steering his shot into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.

TIGHT ANGLE

Liverpool edged to a 2-1 victory at Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Liverpool's early pressure paid dividends in just the seventh minute when Luis Suarez poked the ball through to Craig Bellamy, who finished neatly from a tight angle.

The Welshman saw a rasping 30-yard free-kick rattle the crossbar as half-time approached, before Casper Ankergren was forced to tip Jay Spearing's superb left-footed drive onto the post.

The home side looked rejuvenated after the break and two minutes in Craig Noone's 25-yard curling effort hit the crossbar.

Dirk Kuyt looked to have made the tie safe with a second for the visitors nine minutes from time.

But Ashley Barnes set up a tense finale with a last-minute penalty for the hosts after Jamie Carragher had fouled Vicente. Steven Gerrard made his long-awaited return from injuury as a substitute for Liverpool.

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

Chelsea beat Fulham 4-3 on penalties after their tie finished goalless after extra-time at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors had the best chance in open play as Pajtim Kasami hit the bar with a penalty two minutes into the second half after Alex was sent off for bringing down Kerim Frei in front of goal.

Daniel Sturridge had earlier had a goal disallowed and injured himself in the process while goalkeeper Petr Cech failed to re-appear for the second half with a shoulder problem.

Neither side could break the deadlock in 120 minutes so the third round tie went to sudden-death.

Frank Lampard saw Chelsea's first spot-kick saved but then Moussa Dembele was denied by Ross Turnbull before the shoot-out ended in some controversy.

Bryan Ruiz had to score to keep the Cottagers in the tie but his spot-kick came back off the bar and down onto the line.

Replays were inconclusive but the ball was judged not to have crossed the line, giving Chelsea victory over their neighbours.

SMASHED HOME

In the other all Barclays Premier League tie, Everton beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 after extra-time at Goodison Park.

Chris Brunt gave the visitors the lead from the spot on 56 minutes. Somen Tchoyi's through-ball sent Peter Odemwingie clean through and as Jan Mucha raced off his line there was going to be only one winner.

The goalkeeper escaped with a yellow card for his foul and Brunt smashed home the penalty.

With a minute of normal time remaining Marouane Fellaini's well-controlled volley from the edge of the area found the bottom corner of the net to force an extra 30 minutes. 

Everton skipper Phil Neville won it in the 103rd minute when Royston Drenthe cut the ball back to him and he curled a left-footed shot past Marton from 25 yards.