Ryan Ledson admitted it was a shock to see Ryan Lowe leave his position at Preston manager.The 26-year-old helped Preston to a 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Sunderland, opening the scoring via a deflection in the 37th minute, and Mads Frokjaer sealed the victory with an excellent 70th-minute solo strike.But the real talking point was Lowe’s exit by “mutual consent”, which was confir...Full Story »

Barnsley assistant coach Martin Devaney hailed debutant goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina for his heroics as his two saves in Tuesday night’s penalty shoot-out against Wigan saw them progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup.The summer signing saved spot-kicks from Josh Stones and Thelo Aasgaard to see the visitors progress 4-2 in an all-League One encounter following a 1-1 draw after 90 mi...Full Story »

Derby assistant head coach Richie Barker praised his team’s response to adversity after they came from behind to beat Chesterfield 2-1 in the Carabao Cup first round.Armando Dobra put Chesterfield ahead against the run of play in the 29th minute but Derby hit back to equalise through Liam Thompson’s shot from the edge of the box in the 38th minute.Derby spurned chances in the second ...Full Story »

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder felt his younger players took their chances in the 4-2 win over Wrexham in the Carabao Cup.Will Boyle put the visitors ahead at Bramall Lane before Auston Trusty equalised.Lewis Brunt’s own goal and strikes from Louie Marsh and Anis Slimane sealed the win, with Seb Revan netting a late consolation for Wrexham.Wilder said: “I enjoyed it. I thought...Full Story »

Oxford boss Des Buckingham was delighted with his squad players after making eight changes yet still seeing plenty of quality in their 2-0 Carabao Cup win over League One Peterborough.First-half goals from Tyler Goodrham and debutant Matt Phillips gave Championship new boys Oxford a comfortable victory, as Posh rued missing good early chances.Buckingham said: “We spoke about the importance...Full Story »

Huddersfield boss Michael Duff lauded West Ham loanee Callum Marshall after the teenager claimed a goal and an assist on his debut in a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over fourth-tier Morecambe.After a disappointing loan spell at West Brom last season, the 19-year-old dropped another level to join League One Huddersfield on Friday and made a strong first impression.Duff said: “I thought he showed...Full Story »

Garry Monk was delighted with how his Cambridge side performed despite losing to QPR in the first round of the Carabao Cup.The U’s bowed out 2-1 after a thrilling tie, with Michael Frey and Paul Smyth decisively netting before half-time for the Championship side.“It’s one of those nights where you’re disappointed with the result obviously, but I could not have been any pr...Full Story »

Philippe Clement claimed Jefte’s dismissal in Rangers 2-0 Champions League qualifying defeat by Dynamo Kyiv was “the worst decision I have seen in more than 30 years in football”.Gers’ new Brazilian signing Jefte, making his first start for the Light Blues and booked in the first half, was sent off by Italian referee Marco Guida in the 51st minute after picking up a secon...Full Story »

Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield hailed a job well done after his side coasted through to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory over Northampton.Dan Udoh struck after just eight minutes before an own goal from Luke Mbete secured Wycombe’s victory.“I’m delighted,” said Bloomfield. “Two goals and a clean sheet, we have to be pleased with that.“We he...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 »

Wycombe eased through to the second round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over Northampton.The visitors were dominant from the word go at Sixfields and they led after just eight minutes through Dan Udoh before an own goal sealed the victory.Nik Tzanev was at full stretch to keep out Ryan Tafazolli’s early header but Wycombe wasted little time in going ahead when Tyler Ma...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 »

Bromley’s first Carabao Cup tie ended in a 2-1 south London derby defeat to AFC Wimbledon as Joe Pigott grabbed the winner at Hayes Lane.The Dons came from behind against the EFL newcomers, who they face again at the same venue in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday.After Wimbledon started the brighter, Bromley struck first against the run of play after 19 minutes when Bes Topalloj’s exqu...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 »

Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens praised his side’s convincing display to brush aside Newport 4-1 and reach the Carabao Cup second round.Goals by Dan Agyei and Diallang Jaiyesimi gave Orient a half-time lead before Brandon Cooper and Charlie Kelman scored after the break to secure a comprehensive 4-1 win – with James Clarke giving Newport a consolation goal.“It was a pos...Full Story »

Debutant goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina was the hero as Barnsley reached the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out triumph away to Wigan.After a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, summer signing Slonina saved spot-kicks from Josh Stones and Thelo Aasgaard to see the visitors progress in an all-League One encounter.Aasgaard had slotted home from 12 yards out just after the half-hour mark ...Full Story »

Debutant keeper Luke Southwood was the hero as Bolton survived a tense penalty shootout to beat fellow League One side Mansfield in the Carabao Cup.After the match had finished 1-1, Davis Keillor-Dunn netting a late leveller to cancel out George Thomason’s opener for the hosts, Bolton progressed 5-4 on penalties.Southwood, deputising for Nathan Baxter, saved a sudden-death spot-kick from W...Full Story »

Watford finally smashed their League Cup hoodoo as Tom Ince hammered a hat-trick in a 5-0 romp against MK Dons at Vicarage Road.The Hornets had been knocked out of the competition by lower division teams in each of the previous four seasons – including a 2-0 win for the Dons two years ago.But there were no banana skins this time as skipper Mattie Pollock and midfielder Ince gave the Hertfo...Full Story »

Goals from Ryan Ledson and Mads Frokjaer-Jensen gave Preston a 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Sunderland in their first match since the shock departure of manager Ryan Lowe.Ledson opened the scoring via a deflection in the 37th minute and his Danish team-mate sealed the victory with an excellent 70th-minute solo strike.The Black Cats had made 11 changes from their win against Cardiff but should ha...Full Story »

Norwich kept their nerve to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup with an thrilling 4-3 victory over plucky Stevenage.The visitors twice came back to level before the break at Carrow Road but the Championship side took control in the second half to seal a deserved success.After a low-key start between sides both showing seven changes from the weekend, the tie burst into life with two goals i...Full Story »