Old warhorses Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves scored in their first appearances this season as both the teams from Manchester notched up comfortable wins in the third round of the Carling Cup. There was also a goal for Craig Bellamy on his first appearance in his second stint at Liverpool while Arsenal had three first time scorers as they beat Shrewsbury at the Emirates Stadium.Chelsea had to survive a penalty shootout while Tottenham suffered heartbreak against Stoke City

Big guns make a winning start in the Carling Cup

Leeds had knocked out Manchester United in the FA Cup third round last year and so when United travelled to Elland Road, they had vengeance on their minds. In a competition that Sir Alex Ferguson uses to test young blood, it was ironic that a brace from Michael Owen and another goal from Ryan Giggs settled the scores. Owen now has 11 goals from 12 starts as he continues proving to the world that he still has the fighting legs left in him while Welbeck also returned to the playing field after limping off with a hamstring injury a few weeks back.

Cup holders Birmingham City bowed out after a strike on debut from Hargreaves and another goal from Balotelli helped Manchester City win 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. It wasn’t all so easy for Arsenal after James Collins gave Shrewsbury the lead against last year’s runners up. But goals from Kieran Gibbs before the break and a couple more from Chamberlain and Benayoun ensured Arsene Wenger could breathe safely until they meet Bolton at the weekend.

Chelsea had to go through the ordeals of a penalty shootout against Fulham after two hours of football couldn’t produce goals. Lampard’s kick was saved by Schwarzer while Zamora, Luiz, Sidwell and Terry all scored. Turnbull, substituting for the injured Cech, then saved Dembele’s kick to level matters. Kalou and Malouda both scored for Chelsea while Baird scored for the visitors before Ruiz’s kick, just like Kasami in normal time, smashed the crossbar to settle the scores in favour of Chelsea.

Steven Gerrard made his first appearance in six months as a Craig Bellamy inspired Liverpool beat Brighton 2-1 at the Amex Stadium. Bellamy and Kuyt scored in the clubs first meeting since 1991 before Barnes pulled one back for the home team with a late penalty.Tottenham, who beat Liverpool 4-0 over the weekend, crashed out after a loss to Stoke City in the penalty shootout. Thomas Sorensen proved to be the hero after he saved the kick from Spurs’ debutant Massimo Luongo after the game finished goalless after extra time.

FabricioColoccini’s last gasp goal at the end of extra time ensured that Newcastle finally got the better of Nottingham Forest in an absolutely pulsating contest. Newcastle led three times through Lovenkrands’ double and a lucky strike from Danny Simpson but each time Nottingham Forest bounced back to level the scores. The match was headed towards penalties until Coloccini’s header in the third minute of additional time after extra time sealed the win for the Magpies.

In other results, Alex Mcleish’s romance with the Carling Cup ended after Bolton Wanderers cruised to a 2-0 victory at Villa Park. Second half goals from Chris Eagles and Gael Kakuta ensured that Mcleish wouldn’t lift the trophy for two years in succession. Leyton Orient battled hard but couldn’t deny Blackburn Rovers a 3-2 victory while Wolves hammered Milwall by five goals. Captain Phil Neville’s extra time goal helped Everton overcome West Bromwich at Goodison Park.

Results:

Leeds 0 – 3 Manchester United

Arsenal 3 – 1 Shrewsbury

Manchester City 2 – 0 Birmingham City

Brighton 1 – 2 Liverpool

Chelsea 0 – 0 Fulham (Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties)

Stoke 0 – 0 Tottenham (Stoke won 7-6 on penalties)

Aston Villa 0 – 2 Bolton Wanderers

Nottingham Forest 3 – 4 Newcastle (after extra time)

Everton 2 – 1 West Bromwich Albion (after extra time)

Blackburn Rovers 3 – 2 Leyton Orient

Wolverhampton 5 – 0 Milwall

Crystal Palace 2  – 1 Middlesbrough

Southampton 2 – 1 Preston

Cardiff 2 – 2 Leicester (Cardiff won 7-6 on penalties)

Burnley 2 – 1 MK Dons

Aldershot 2 – 1 Rochdale

Tags: Carling Cup, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Michael Owen, Owen Hargreaves