Mark Bonner was pleased to get minutes into his Cambridge squad as they progressed in the Carabao Cup with a first-round penalty shootout win over Swindon.The U’s progressed on penalties after a goalless draw with Swindon, with keeper Dimi Mitov saving two of the Robins’ spot kicks.Bonner said: “There were two targets for us tonight. One, try and progress and two, with the team...Full Story »

Mark Cooper has urged his Barrow players to keep entertaining the fans after a welcome 1-0 Carabao Cup first-round win against Scunthorpe.Young striker Dimitri Sea, 20, set the game alight with his 50th-minute overhead kick to settle the tie at Holker Street.And victory earned new Bluebirds boss Cooper his first win since taking over the Cumbrian club.He said: “I thought we played some rea...Full Story »

Delighted Stoke boss Michael O’Neill praised his side as they eased to a 2-1 victory over Fleetwood in the EFL Cup.Northern Irishman O’Neill was pleased with his team’s dominant display as goals from new signing Sam Surridge, his second goal in as many games, and a bullet header from skipper Harry Souttar did the damage for the Potters.“There were a lot of good things and...Full Story »

Gareth Ainsworth hailed David Stockdale after the keeper saved three penalties and scored one in the shootout to seal Wycombe’s passage.The former Birmingham stopper denied Jack Sparkes, Jonathan Grounds and James Dodd from the spot and also rifled a penalty into the top corner.Wycombe manager Ainsworth said: “The hero has got to be David Stockdale. He pulled off a cracking save at t...Full Story »

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough was disappointed to see mistakes prove so costly after his side had played so well against Championship side Preston in a 3-0 Carabao Cup exit.Scott Sinclair netted a brace and substitute Emil Riis added the other.But Clough said: “I actually thought we played better than Saturday at times tonight – it was just that final ball.“But I was bitterly dis...Full Story »

Newport boss Michael Flynn hailed his team after an “outstanding” Carabao Cup first-round win against Ipswich at Portman Road.Timmy Abraham’s clever finish from close range after four minutes saw the League Two side – who made 11 changes from Saturday – through to the next round.The League One Tractor Boys, who made 10 changes themselves, dominated large parts of th...Full Story »

Birmingham head coach Lee Bowyer had mixed emotions after his much-changed team squeezed into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 win over League Two Colchester.Marcel Oakley’s 76th-minute debut goal clinched victory for the Sky Bet Championship side after Colchester created the best chances and later hit the bar through Cameron Coxe.Bowyer changed all 11 players from Saturday&r...Full Story »

Slavisa Jokanovic said he was “satisfied” as Rhian Brewster’s first goal for Sheffield United earned the manager his first win in charge.Brewster scored in the 24th minute, his maiden goal since joining from Liverpool last summer, as the Blades beat Carlisle 1-0 in the EFL Cup.The visitors rallied late on with Manasse Mampala failing to hit the target with a shot from inside th...Full Story »

Morecambe boss Stephen Robinson said a change of mentality was responsible for his side’s 2-1 comeback win at Sky Bet Championship Blackburn in the Carabao Cup.The Shrimps were overwhelmed in the first half and Tyrhys Dolan gave the hosts a lead that in truth should have been more.But Morecambe turned the game on its head after the break. Cole Stockton’s assured finish shortly after ...Full Story »

Boss Alex Revell hailed goalkeeper Joseph Anang after the West Ham loanee’s penalty shootout heroics powered League Two Stevenage into the second round of the EFL Cup at the expense of Championship neighbours Luton.Both sides scored within the first five minutes of the game, with Stevenage going ahead through last season’s top scorer Elliott List in the second minute, only for Luton ...Full Story »

Head coach Grant McCann was frustrated by Hull’s first-half performance in their penalty shootout defeat to Wigan in the first round of the Carabao Cup.Manchester United loan signing Di’Shon Bernard missed the key spot-kick for the hosts as they lost 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.McCann said: “The first half was very poor. We were nowhere near where we can be and should be ...Full Story »

Bolton boss Ian Evatt was full of praise for goalkeeper Joel Dixon after he marked his debut with the vital save to help the Sky Bet League One new-boys to a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Championship Barnsley.Dixon, signed from Evatt’s former club Barrow in pre-season, saved Barnsley’s fifth spot-kick from Devante Cole before Josh Sheehan netted the decisive penalty.“Joel was...Full Story »

New Swansea head coach Russell Martin maintains that his side still have much room for improvement despite a comfortable 3-0 victory at Reading in the Carabao Cup first round.Swansea went ahead in the 16th minute against a youthful Reading side – average age 19 – when defender Joel Latibeaudiere nodded in at the far post.With the hosts offering little going forward, City secured thei...Full Story »

Steve Evans felt his much-changed team were worthy winners and deserved to progress in the Carabao Cup after clinching a dramatic 10-9 victory on penalties at Crawley after the thrilling tie had ended 2-2.The Gills went through when French defender Ludwig Francillette became the only player to miss from the spot and Harvey Lintott then stepped up to convert the decisive penalty.Crawley’s S...Full Story »

Doncaster boss Richie Wellens insisted his side’s Carabao Cup penalty shootout victory at Walsall will not pull the wool over his eyes.On-loan keeper Pontus Dahlberg saved three spot-kicks as Rovers triumphed 4-3 in sudden death after a 0-0 draw to hand Wellens his first victory as Doncaster boss.Rovers were second best to their League Two hosts until the final half-hour when Branden Horto...Full Story »

Wigan caused a minor upset at Hull by progressing to the second round of the Carabao Cup following a penalty shootout victory.Manchester United loan signing Di’Shon Bernard missed the key spot-kick when he fired over the crossbar, allowing Jordan Cousins to score the winning penalty to earn League One Wigan a deserved victory.With the game having ended 1-1 after normal time, the Latics pre...Full Story »

Derby survived a Carabao Cup scare before beating Salford 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out at Pride Park.The Rams trailed 2-0 and 3-2 before Ravel Morrison made it 3-3 and goalkeeper Ryan Allsop saved Luke Burgess’ spot-kick to put the Sky Bet Championship side through.Derby made eight changes and were behind after eight minutes when Jordan Turnbull headed in after Ashley Eastham flicked on a co...Full Story »

Joseph Anang was the hero with two shootout saves as League Two Stevenage defeated local rivals Luton 3-0 on penalties to progress to the second round of the EFL Cup following a 2-2 draw in normal time.The home side conceded the lead twice in a chaotic four-goal first half, with goals by Elliott List and Ben Coker cancelled out by Luton’s Cameron Jerome and Admiral Muskwe.A goalless second...Full Story »

Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy praised the impact of his new short-term signing Marley Watkins after he scored twice on his Bluebirds debut in a 3-2 win over Sutton.Watkins’ brace came either side of half-time and helped Cardiff turn the tables after they fell behind to the League Two new boys – who were playing in the Carabao Cup for the first time.Cardiff confirmed Wales cap Watkins...Full Story »

New Swansea head coach Russell Martin secured his first victory at the second time of asking when his side defeated a youthful Reading outfit 3-0 in the Carabao Cup first round.City went ahead in the 16th minute of a low-key first period when defender Joel Latibeaudiere nodded in powerfully.Swansea continued their dominance after the break, with Ben Cabango heading in a second goal on the hour m...Full Story »