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Premier League clubs survive scares in Carling Cup

27/08/2008

All the Premier League club's playing in the second round of the Carling Cup on Wednesday night managed to progress after scares.

Sunderland and West Ham United both needed extra-time to dispatch Nottingham Forest and Macclesfield respectively, while Fulham beat Leicester City thanks to Danny Murphy's last minute strike.

The Black Cats looked to be heading out of the cup before winning 2-1. Rob Earnshaw put the League One side ahead after an hour but an equalizer from Phil Bardsley forced extra-time. David Healey then broke Forest hearts with the winner.

West Ham progressed into the third round after dominating the extra period but that overshadowed a poor display in normal time.

Gareth Evans put the visitors ahead after just seven minutes and the Hammers failed to find an answer until Lee Bowyer struck with 15 minutes to go.

That seemed to give the Hammers more confidence and as extra-time progressed the Stags could no longer keep the Premier League side at bay, with Carlton Cole, Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid all getting on the scoreboard.

At Craven Cottage Fulham won a spirited contest against Leicester as both sides came from behind to lead at various stages.

The Cottagers went into the break 1-0 ahead thanks to Zoltan Gera's goal but Paul Dickov got the Foxes back in it straight after half-time and two minutes later Marlon King made it 2-1 to the visitors.

But a goal from Jimmy Bullard with seven minutes to go set up grand stand finish with Murphy snatching a winner two minutes into injury time.

Blackburn went behind early at Ewood Park but after Carlos Villanueva levelled things Paul Ince's side never looked back. Matt Derbyshire scored twice and Brett Emerton added another as Rovers cruised through 4-1.

In the night's other match Sheffield United scored twice in the last ten minutes to beat Huddersfield 2-1.