LONDON: 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.
“We go 1-0 up and you think ‘come on, get a second’. It’s a learning curve,” Solskjaer said. At this club we don’t sit back and think that’s good enough. That’s not what we want here.”
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.
“I’m pleased, some debuts and the young lads who came on improved the team which was nice. It’s nice to get that first home win,” Lampard said. – AFP
