Soccer: James McClean and Shane Long both scored twice as eight Irish players found the net in the second round of the Capital One League Cup. McClean's brace was good enough for Sunderland to beat Morecambe, while Long's came in a 4-2 win for West Brom at Yeovil.
Fulham and Stoke City were the big casualties of the round. Swindon's Republic of Ireland under-21 James Collins scored a hat-trick against the Potters, including the winner in the 119th minute after senior international striker Jonathan Walters scored Stoke’s second to send the game to extra-time.
The Cottagers fell to a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, where Moussa Dembele was absent amid reports Spurs have agreed a €18.8 million fee with the Cottagers for the Belgian midfielder.
Gary Madine scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot after 50 minutes.
West Brom were made to battle all the way by Yeovil at Huish Park. Reuben Reid fired the hosts ahead on 15 minutes but strikes by Chris Brunt (39) and Long (45) put Albion ahead.
Reid’s second of the night after 48 minutes put Yeovil back on level terms but Yassine El Ghanassy’s 73rd-minute effort and a late second for Long saw the Premier League side through.
Wigan were 4-1 winners at Nottingham Forest thanks to goals by Mauro Boselli, Maynor Figueroa, Jordi Gomez and Callum McManaman, but the Latics’ night was soured in the second half when Antolin Alcaraz was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Ireland striker Simon Cox replied for Forest early in the second half with a stunning 30 yard strike.
A Simon Lappin goal and Dubliner Wes Hoolahan’s penalty guided Norwich to a 2-1 win over Scunthorpe, who replied through Mark Duffy, while Shaun Wright-Phillips, Bobby Zamora and Jose Bosingwa were on target as QPR defeated Walsall 3-0.
Nick Ajose struck a last-minute winner as League One Crawley upset Bolton 2-1.
Benik Afobe fired Bolton ahead in the 21st minute and the Championship side looked on course for the win heading into the closing moments. But Corkman Billy Clarke levelled for the hosts in the 81st minute before Ajose popped up late on to send the Trotters crashing out.
Managerless Coventry advanced Carl Baker’s strike gave them a 3-2 extra-time win over local rivals Birmingham. Peter Lovenkrands opened the scoring for Birmingham when he headed home a Darren Ambrose free-kick after four minutes, but Coventry were level on 19 minutes when former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane supplied an assist for Cody McDonald.
Three minutes later the hosts were in front caught the ball sweetly on the bounce to score from 18 yards but Jonathan Spector restored parity before the break and the second half failed to produce a winner.
The decisive goal arrived after seven minutes of extra-time when Kilbane’s cross was not cleared, allowing Carl Baker to smash home.
League Two Burton thumped npower Championship outfit Leicester 4-2, while Blackburn boss Steve Kean suffered another setback as Rovers crashed out after a 2-1 defeat at League One MK Dons.
Aston Villa lifted some of the gloom following two straight defeats at the start of their league campaign by posting a 3-0 win over Tranmere, thanks to goals from Fabian Delph, Chris Herd and Darren Bent
Goals from Tadanari Lee, Billy Sharp, Jason Puncheon and Ben Reeves lifted Southampton to a 4-1 win at Stevenage.
A Danny Graham strike and a second-half brace for Luke Moore saw Swansea to a 3-1 win over Barnsley.
Nicky Maynard and Modibo Maiga struck in either half as West Ham defeated Crewe 2-0, while Reading were made to battle for a 3-2 win at home to Peterborough.
League One Preston upset Championship side Crystal Palace 4-1. League Two Bradford produced a late fightback to dump out Championship Watford, while Hull squandered a two-goal lead as Doncaster fought back for a 3-2 victory at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Goals from Mustapha Carayol and Cameron Park gave Middlesbrough
a 2-0 win at Gillingham, while Leeds were 3-0 winners against Oxford thanks to strikes by Rodolph Austin, Samuel Byram and Tom Lees.
