Lee Johnson insists his Sunderland side ‘haven’t peaked, nowhere near’ after seeing them book their place in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory at Wigan.The clash pitted the top two in Sky Bet League One against each other, but a total of 17 changes – eight to Sunderland, nine to Wigan – showed where the contest lay on the respective list of prioritie...Full Story »

Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed defender Jack Stephens is facing around three months on the sidelines with the knee injury he suffered at the weekend after Southampton beat Sheffield United on penalties on Tuesday.The 27-year-old, who has had knee issues in the past, was forced off just before half-time during the goalless draw with Manchester City on Saturday after dropping to the floor and clutching...Full Story »

Frankie McAvoy admitted Preston were rattled by debutant Connor Wickham’s early injury but recovered to beat Cheltenham 4-1 in the Carabao Cup.The Deepdale faithful only saw the striker, a new signing from Crystal Palace, for seven minutes before he limped off the pitch and that threatened to disrupt his side’s early tempo.But the Championship team’s class soon told as they ble...Full Story »

Crawley head coach John Yems criticised referee Darren Drysdale and his officials for “ruining the game” following the 2-2 home draw against Harrogate in Sky Bet League Two.Yems was unhappy that Harrogate’s Connor Hall only received a booking in the incident that led to Crawley substitute Ashley Nadesan being sent off midway through the second half.Nadesan was straight red-card...Full Story »

Marcelo Bielsa admitted his Leeds players had endured a “difficult” evening after they edged past Fulham 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out in their Carabao Cup clash at Craven Cottage.Neither side had been able to find a breakthrough in normal time, and after five penalties each there was still nothing to separate the sides with both successfully converting three apiece.Teenager Stuart McKi...Full Story »

Watford head coach Xisco Munoz bemoaned his side’s luck in an “incredible” Carabao Cup third-round tie which saw the Hornets knocked out by second-tier Stoke.Ashley Fletcher had equalised for the Premier League outfit after Nick Powell’s opener but Stoke would leave Vicarage Road victorious as Sam Clucas and Josh Tymon struck from distance to seal a 3-1 win for the Sky Be...Full Story »

Jurgen Klopp declared Takumi Minamino to be in a “really good moment” after the forward scored twice in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Norwich in the Carabao Cup.The Japan international made the most of his first appearance of the season, scoring after four minutes of the tie with a smart low shot before he added a second late on with another neat finish in the penalty area.Minamino su...Full Story »

Stephen Robinson was delighted with his Morecambe players for executing a counter-attacking game plan to perfection in their 3-1 win at Crewe.The Shrimps soaked up home pressure but made it count when they ventured forward as they claimed their first win on their travels this term.The Lancashire side made the most of fine deliveries from the wings to catch Crewe cold in the first half.Adam Phill...Full Story »

Burnley boss Sean Dyche hailed four-goal striker Jay Rodriguez after his side’s 4-1 Carabao Cup win at Turf Moor against Lancashire rivals Rochdale.Rodriguez scored all the Clarets’ goals in a 12-minute second-half blitz after Dale striker Jake Beesley had given the visitors a shock lead in the third-round tie.Dyche said: “Jay has looked sharp, particularly second half. First h...Full Story »

Sean Maguire and Emil Riis struck late as Preston put the seal on a 4-1 win over Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup.It was the first ever meeting between the two teams and a first appearance in a Preston shirt for Connor Wickham but his debut lasted only seven minutes before he limped off the park, replaced by Maguire.Despite few early chances, Preston’s Riis always looked a threat. With his te...Full Story »