John Eustace hailed Sammie Szmodics after starring in Blackburn’s Carabao Cup first round 6-1 thrashing of Stockport – but is unsure of the striker’s long-term Rovers future.Szmodics’ double, Andreas Weimann’s strike and Yuki Ohashi’s header put Rovers 4-0 up by half-time before Makhtar Gueye and Jack Vale netted afterwards, as Nathan Mapengu scored County&rsq...Full Story »

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson believes Joe Pigott could play a key part in his side’s season after he scored the winner in their Carabao Cup first-round tie at Bromley.Pigott is in his second spell at the Dons after arriving on loan from Leyton Orient during the summer, having scored 54 goals in 157 appearances during three-and-a-half years up to the end of 2020/21.Jackson said: &l...Full Story »

Watford boss Tom Cleverley hailed “problem solver” Tom Ince after his hat-trick heroics helped the Hornets finally smash their League Cup hoodoo and believes the experienced midfielder will be a key player this season.The 32-year-old Ince led the way with his first hat-trick for nine years, netting in first-half stoppage time and again in the 67th and 74th minutes as his Championship...Full Story »

David Artell was delighted with the character shown by injury-hit Grimsby as they progressed into the Carabao Cup second round with a dramatic 9-8 penalty shoot-out win over Bradford at Blundell Park.The first-round decider went deep with 10 players stepping up for either side after they played out a 1-1 draw in normal time.Grimsby striker Donovan Wilson and Bradford substitute Andy Cook –...Full Story »

Matt Macey was Colchester’s hero as they knocked League One side Reading out of the Carabao Cup on penalties.Macey saved from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Amadou Mbengue as the U’s won the shoot-out 4-3, after the first-round tie had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.Colchester took a third-minute lead through Tom Hopper, who headed home from Jack Payne’s corner.Reading defender Abraha...Full Story »

Kayden Jackson scored his first Derby goal as they came from behind to beat Chesterfield 2-1 in the Carabao Cup at Pride Park.Armando Dobra put Chesterfield in front only for Liam Thompson to level before Jackson won it in the second half.Derby had the bulk of possession but after Dajaune Brown’s close-range header was saved, Chesterfield went ahead in the 29th minute with their first chan...Full Story »

Tranmere eased into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory over League Two rivals Accrington at Prenton Park.The home side took the lead with their first attack when Harvey Saunders latched onto an Omari Patrick pass and slotted the ball under Michael Kelly from close range in the third minute.Rovers could have doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when Connor Wood delivered a...Full Story »

Grimsby booked their spot in the Carabao Cup second round after beating fellow League Two side Bradford 9-8 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.Grimsby striker Donovan Wilson and Bradford substitute Andy Cook netted in each half during a 1-1 draw in normal time at Blundell Park.George McEachran then scored the decisive penalty after Neill Byrne missed for Bradford.It was a hectic start to the first-...Full Story »

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley felt his side’s patience was rewarded as they finally overcame 10-man Burton 4-0 to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup.Albion were reduced to 10 men when centre-back Ryan Sweeney was red carded for handling Ashley Fletcher’s shot on the line after just 11 minutes, with the striker missing the subsequent penalty.But the Tangerines struck in t...Full Story »

Josh Gordon turned from villain to hero as he hit the winning spot-kick as League Two Walsall claimed a Carabao Cup comeback victory to upset Exeter 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.With the League One Grecians leading through Millenic Alli’s first-half strike, Gordon saw an 81st-minute penalty saved by Joe Whitworth after Vincent Harper had handled the ball.But Jamie Jellis spared Gordon...Full Story »

Crawley withstood a second-half Swindon fightback to clinch a 4-2 Carabao Cup victory.Swindon scored twice in the space of six minutes and also missed a penalty midway through the second half but a second from Jack Roles and another by Rafiq Khaleel gave the hosts victory.Crawley broke the deadlock after 34 minutes when Roles found Ade Adeyemo and his low shot squirmed under the body of goalkeep...Full Story »

Rotherham manager Steve Evans was pleased with his side’s response after they came from behind to beat Crewe 2-1 and reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.Matus Holicek gave Alexandra the lead in the second half when he latched onto a poor clearance from Alex MacDonald and curled beyond Cameron Dawson.Rotherham levelled five minutes later with Sam Nombe heading in after Joe Powell had ...Full Story »

Sammie Szmodics scored twice as Blackburn booked their Carabao Cup second-round place with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Stockport.Szmodics’ double, Andreas Weimann’s strike and Yuki Ohashi’s header put Championship side Rovers in control as Makhtar Gueye and Jack Vale netted after half-time, while youngster Nathan Mapengu netted a consolation for League One County.After Cou...Full Story »

Goals by Dan Agyei, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Brandon Cooper and Charlie Kelman earned Leyton Orient a 4-1 victory over Newport in their first-round Carabao Cup clash.Orient scored after just 43 seconds when Agyei collected a pass from Jayden Sweeney before steering the ball past County’s debutant keeper Jacob Carney and into the net off the inside of the far post.There were nine added minutes t...Full Story »

League Two Fleetwood celebrated a shock 2-1 Carabao Cup comeback victory at home to Championship West Brom on Tuesday night.The Baggies took an early lead through a cheeky Modou Faal finish, but the English third-tier side completed a fine turnaround in the first half thanks to impressive goals from both Ryan Graydon and Ronan Coughlan.The visitors had much more of the ball in the early stages a...Full Story »

Blackpool scored four second-half goals to reach the Carabao Cup second round with a resounding 4-0 win over 10-man Burton at the Pirelli Stadium.Albion had to play almost 80 minutes with 10 men after Ryan Sweeney saw red for blocking Ashley Fletcher’s goalbound effort on the line with his hand. Fletcher, though, failed to capitalise, seeing his penalty saved by Max Crocombe in the Burton ...Full Story »

SPURS ace Yves Bissouma filmed himself inhaling deadly laughing gas just days before the new season kicks off. The £55,000-a-week Tottenham star laughed manically between taking hits from a balloon in footage which will dismay the footie player's boss and millions of fans. The midfielder last night apologised for his "severe lack of judgment". He had headed out to party following his s...Full Story »

Virgil van Dijk congratulates Trey Nyoni after his goal for Liverpool against Sevilla Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has issued an update on his future - and admitted he's yet to receive a formal contract offer from the club. The Dutch defender was part of Liverpool's penultimate pre-season clash against Sevilla on Sunday at Anfield, which Arne Slot's side won 4-1. A Luis Diaz brace, couple...Full Story »

Liverpool are reportedly in 'pole position' to make a move for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer. WHAT HAPPENED?Mamardashvili has been performing at a very high level for Valencia since his move to the La Liga side in 2021 from Dinamo Tbilisi, originally on loan. However, it was at Euro 2024 that the 23-year-old goalkeeper truly shone as he pulled off a solid tournament for...Full Story »

Ederson will stay at Man City despite Saudi links Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has disclosed that his future has already been established. Although the Brazil international was being linked to a move to Saudi Arabia, Ederson told ESPN Brasil he has no plans to move. Speaking after City's Community Shield win over Manchester United, he said: "The decision has been made. I will stay at M...Full Story »