Newz Forum: SOCCER: Carling Cup results 28/10/04

Teenager Dexter Blackstock notched a remarkable second half hat-trick after coming on as a Southampton substitute to give his side a 3-2 victory over would-be Carling Cup giant killers Colchester at St Mary's

Neil Danns nodded the League One side ahead and the second round conquerors of West Brom looked to be on their way to the last 16 as they outclassed ragged Saints. But then Blackstock, who replaced fellow teenager Leon Best at half-time, scored twice in five minutes just after the break - and although Greg Halford levelled matters again for the impressive Essex side, it was Blackstock again who applied the finishing touch to another free-kick from fellow sub Paul Telfer.

Under-strength Arsenal dumped Manchester City out with a 2-1 victory at Eastlands. Robin van Persie sent the Gunners on their way to victory with a 77th-minute effort before substitute Daniel Karbassiyoon doubled the lead in stoppage time. Robbie Fowler did pull one back for the Blues with virtually the final kick but it was not enough to prevent Arsene Wenger from celebrating his new contract with a very pleasing victory.

Newcastle were forced to scrap their way into the fourth round with a 2-1 win over Norwich. Graeme Souness's side was cruising towards victory after Jermaine Jenas and Shola Ameobi had put them 2-0 up by half-time. However, Darren Huckerby's 56th-minute penalty gave the visitors hope, and although the Magpies had more than enough opportunities to kill the tie off, they had to defend to the whistle to secure their passage.

Mateja Kezman's first Chelsea goal was enough to beat West Ham but the match-winning hero then found himself at the centre of a coin-throwing controversy. Kezman finally broke his scoring duck with a 57th minute strike after spurning three glorious first half chances. Chelsea dominated the game and should have won by a bigger margin but former West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard missed a penalty 13 minutes from time. However, West Ham could now find themselves in trouble after Kezman was hit by a missile thrown from the visiting supporter's end before Lampard missed his spot-kick.

Mark Pembridge scored a stunning winning goal as Fulham survived a battering from Steve Bruce's Birmingham at St Andrews. The Wales international struck a superb 30-yard shot past Blues 'keeper Maik Taylor with 14 minutes remaining at St Andrews to seal victory for the Cottagers. But Fulham were indebted to a superb display from keeper Mark Crossley. His goal was under siege for the majority of the 90 minutes as Blues adapted better to the driving wind and rain. Crossley, deputising for the rested Edwin van der Sar, had one of those games where he kept out everything that Birmingham threw at him with a series of stunning saves.

Teenager Danny Graham wrapped up defending champions' Middlesbrough's 3-0 win over Coventry. Graham fired home Boro's third to sink the Sky Blues as holders Boro made a successful start to the defence of their trophy. Szilard Nemeth opened the scoring after four minutes and James Morrison headed a 24th-minute second.

Crystal Palace heaped further misery on misfiring Charlton by dumping their local rivals out of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 triumph. But even what was effectively the Palace reserves proved too strong for the ailing Addicks who saw their Hermann Hreidarsson opener bettered with goals from Dougie Freedman and Sandor Torghelle either side of the interval. Torghelle was sent off for a blatant dive in the 70th minute, which incurred his second yellow card, to bring his evening to a disappointing end but, after guaranteeing the club's place in the fourth round, Dowie will not be too angry with the Hungarian striker.

Everton had Lee Carsley sent off after he had fired the Merseysiders on their way to a 2-1 home defeat of Preston. The Irish international scored with a 52nd-minute free-kick, only to be red-carded 20 minutes later after a clash with substitute Eric Skora. But as Preston battled for an equaliser against the 10 men, it was Everton substitute Marcus Bent who settled the issue when he scored with his first touch after coming on with just a couple of minutes left.

Jermaine Defoe ended his goal famine by scoring twice to steer Tottenham to a thrilling 4-3 win at Bolton. The victory in extra time gave the club revenge for the defeat by Bolton in the league only last Saturday. Tottenham had to dig deep as they twice came from behind against last season's beaten finalists.

Sportinglife