Carling Cup review:Roman Pavlyuchenko scored his first goal for Tottenham as the Premier League's two bottom sides attempted to reignite their seasons with a Carling Cup win at an eerily muted at St James's Park. At Fratton Park, Frank Lampard grabbed a brace in a 4-0 Chelsea win over Portsmouth, while in the sole second round tie Brighton dumped Manchester City out after penalties.
A win was a must for both sides at St James' Park but it was the holders that progressed thanks to second half goals from the Russian and midfielder Jamie O'Hara.
Michael Owen scored his 11th in 15 for Newcastle in the last minute but it wasn't enough to prevent Spurs winning their first ever cup tie at Newcastle and progressing to the fourth round.
Just 19,743 fans turned up at Newcastle's stadium, a whopping 33,000 under capacity, and those that did turn up were given precious little entertainment for their money until Payluchenko headed home Aaron Lennon's cross just after the hour.
Four minutes later O'Hara slotted past Shay Given for the second to secure the tie but Owen's strike after Geremi's cross was deflected into his path ensured some excitement for the beleaguered Toon Army.
Oblivious to Manchester City's plans for world domination, Bristol booked their place in the third round with a little help from Michael Ball.
A 2-2 draw after extra-time at the Withdean sent the tie to penalties and Ball was the only player to miss, seeing his kick saved by Michel Kuipers, as the League One side triumphed 5-3.
City were celebrating a 6-0 win over Portsmouth at the weekend while Brighton were losing to nine-man Walsall, but Glenn Murray sent the tie into extra-time with an 89th-minute equaliser after Gelson Fernandes had opened the scoring (64).
Stephen Ireland looked like he had spared big-spending City's blushes when he made it 2-2 (108) following Joe Anyinsah's extra-time strike (95), but Brighton had the last laugh.
Only 15,339 turned up at Portsmouth's more modest stadium and they too went home disappointed as Luis Felipe Scolari's side brushed them aside with a Lampard brace and goals from Florent Malouda and Salamon Kalou.
Wigan again showed they know where the net is this season, when hitting four past Ipswich.
The visitors waited until the second half before Lee Cattermole, Paul Scharner, Olivier Kapo and Camara struck. Jonathan Walters got a consolation for the Travtor Boys.
Aston Villa's encouraging start was brought to a halt, however, with a 1-0 defeat at home to QPR. Damion Stewart 58th minute goal was the difference between the sides.
The third all-Premiership tie went the way off Blackburn Rovers after Martin Olsson's 10th minute strike was enough to see off the challenge of Everton.
