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 »

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 »

Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins was quick to praise his squad players following Rovers’ 3-0 Carabao Cup first-round win over Accrington at Prenton Park.Harvey Saunders was put through by Omari Patrick to fire the home side ahead in the third minute before Josh Williams made it two just before the break courtesy of a wicked deflection.Brad Walker had a 67th-minute penalty well saved by Michae...Full Story »

Danny Cowley hailed a “brilliant night” for Colchester after they knocked League One Reading out of the Carabao Cup.The U’s won 4-3 on penalties with goalkeeper Matt Macey saving two spot-kicks after the first-round tie had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.Tom Hopper and Jack Payne had put Colchester ahead in the first half before second-half goals from Charlie Savage and Lewis Wi...Full Story »

Mark Robins paid tribute to nearly 2,500 travelling Coventry fans after his team progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.Ellis Simms was the match-winner seconds after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute.The striker latched onto a through ball from former Bristol midfielder Kasey Palmer and buried a low right-footed drive fro...Full Story »

Johannes Hoff Thorup was delighted to pick up his first win as Norwich head coach in an eventful 4-3 success over Stevenage in the Carabao Cup – but admitted their defending left something to be desired.Stevenage twice came back to equalise in the first half before Norwich scored two goals in the second to take charge, with the visitors grabbing a third late on.Onel Hernandez led the way w...Full Story »

Shrewsbury head coach Paul Hurst had “mixed emotions” after his side secured their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Notts County.The Shrews won 4-3 on spot-kicks after David McGoldrick and Curtis Edwards missed for the visitors.Conor Grant and Sam Austin put County 2-0 up but Josh Kayode’s effort and Jordan Shipley’s late ...Full Story »

Swansea booked their place into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 triumph over 10-man Gillingham at the Swansea.com Stadium.Ronald opened the scoring midway through the second half and, after Euan Williams had been off for the visitors soon after half-time, Liam Cullen doubled the lead.Oliver Hawkins pulled a late goal back for Gills but Azeem Abdulai finished off their hopes of an ...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 »

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 »

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 »

A first-half wonder strike by Brandon Khela handed 10-man Birmingham a narrow 1-0 Carabao Cup win at League One rivals Charlton.Both teams making many changes – the hosts making five, while the visitors made eight – did not prevent a lively opening to the tie.Charlton should have taken the lead after just 12 minutes, when Tyreece Campbell was upended in the area by Tyler Roberts, how...Full Story »

Mal Benning’s decisive penalty in the shoot-out confirmed Shrewsbury’s place in the second round of the Carabao Cup after a frantic 3-3 draw with Notts County in ordinary time.The Magpies made a blistering start as they broke the deadlock within the opening five minutes.David McGoldrick floated a cross to the back post for Jodi Jones to lay it back into the box for Conor Grant to hea...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 »

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 »

Sheffield United came from behind to beat Wrexham 4-2 and advance to the second round of the Carabao Cup.After Wrexham defender Will Boyle saw his first-minute shot turned onto a post by Ivo Grbic, the hosts had several efforts which went close.But the visitors took the lead in the 29th minute when a corner was headed back at the far post by Dan Scarr and Boyle was there to sweep the ball in fro...Full Story »

First-half Goals from Tyler Goodrham and Matt Phillips on his debut gave Championship new boys Oxford a 2-0 Carabao Cup win over League One Peterborough.Posh were hoping to gain a measure of revenge for their play-off semi-final defeat by Oxford in May, but failed to convert good early chances.Instead it was Oxford who took the lead in the 20th minute when Goodrham capitalised on a shocking erro...Full Story »