Man United Survive Rochdale Shootout, West Ham Humiliated By Oxford
26th September 2019
Although United avoided the embarrassment of losing to a team 17th in League One, the sloppy manner of their performance will raise fresh questions about Solskjaer's ability to inspire his side
- Manchester United survived a League Cup scare against third tier Rochdale as they won 5-3 on penalties, while West Ham suffered a shock 4-0 defeat at Oxford on Wednesday
- United are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League after Saturday's dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham left them with just two wins from six games
- Liverpool eased to a 2-0 victory at third tier MK Dons as Harvey Elliott became the youngest player to start a competitive match for the club
MANCHESTER, United
Kingdom- Manchester United survived a League Cup scare against third tier
Rochdale as they won 5-3 on penalties, while West Ham suffered a shock 4-0
defeat at Oxford on Wednesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's struggling side were held to a 1-1
draw at Old Trafford after 16-year-old Luke Matheson scored a 76th minute
equaliser following Mason Greenwood's opener for United eight minutes earlier.
With United in danger of a humiliating exit, they held their
nerve in the shoot-out, winning 5-3 as Daniel James converted the decisive kick
after Sergio Romero saved Rochdale's second penalty from Jimmy Keohane.
Although United avoided the embarrassment of losing to a
team 17th in League One, the sloppy manner of their performance will raise
fresh questions about Solskjaer's ability to inspire his side.
United are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League
after Saturday's dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham left them with just two wins
from six games.
Liverpool eased to a 2-0 victory at third tier MK Dons as
Harvey Elliott became the youngest player to start a competitive match for the
club.
The 16-year-old put in an accomplished display and twice hit
the crossbar as James Milner profited from terrible goalkeeping from Stuart
Moore to put the Reds in front before Ki-Jana Hoever wrapped up the win.
Frank Lampard got a first home win as Chelsea boss under his
belt as his youthful side thumped fourth division Grimsby 7-1.
Ross Barkley opened the floodgates and Michy Batshuayi
struck twice.
There were also goals for Pedro, Kurt Zouma, Reece James and
Callum Hudson-Odoi -- the England winger making his first appearance since
suffering an Achilles injury in April.
Lampard handed debuts to four academy graduates as well as a
first start for Billy Gilmour.
Gilmour was a stand-out performer in midfield and fellow
rookies James and Marc Guehi also impressed.
At the Kassam Stadium, third tier Oxford reached the fourth
round for the first time in 22 years thanks to a stunning victory against West
Ham.
Second-half goals by Elliott Moore, Matty Taylor, Tariqe
Fosu and Shandon Baptiste left West Ham shell-shocked.
Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini made nine changes and handed
a full debut to academy graduate Nathan Holland, but the understudies weren't
up to the task.
Max Power's superb 25-yard strike in the ninth minute fired
third tier Sunderland to a surprise 1-0 win at Premier League side Sheffield
United.
Bournemouth were the third Premier League club to crash out
as third tier Burton -- semi-finalists last season -- won 2-0 in a match
delayed three times by floodlight failure at the Pirelli Stadium.
Wolves beat second tier Reading 4-2 on penalties after a
dramatic 1-1 draw.
Debutant Bruno Jordao put Wolves ahead but Lucas Boye headed
Reading level in the ninth minute of stoppage-time, setting up a shoot-out that
the Premier League team won comfortably.
Aston Villa cruised to a 3-1 win at Brighton thanks to goals
from Jota, Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish.