By Nurudeen Obalola
Manchester United produced the widest margin win in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night, thrashing third-tier Barnsley 7-0.
In another fixture full of goals of another kind, Fulham, with Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi involved, were knocked out by Preston North End after a record penalty shootout.
Despite making eight changes to the side that beat Southampton 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United were much too strong at Old Trafford for the League One visitors.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen scored two goals each, while Antony added the other one from the penalty spot as the 2023 winners of the competition eased through to the fourth round.
At Deepdale, Reiss Nelson equalised for Fulham in the second half to take the tie to a penalty shootout, where real drama awaited.
One of the longest shootouts in football history, and the longest-ever in this competition, ended 16-15 in Preston’s favour after each side had taken 17 kicks.
Some players had to take two kicks as the shootout wore on, with substitute Iwobi being one of them. He scored both times.
In the only all-Premier League tie on Tuesday night, Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo started for Southampton as they defeated Everton 6-5 on penalties at Goodison Park.
Full-time ended 1-1 and Southampton converted all their six spot kicks, including one by Aribo, while Ashley Young missed for the home side.
In other Carabao Cup fixtures on Tuesday night, Brentford defeated Leyton Orient 3-1, while Crystal Palace earned a 2-1 victory at Queens Park Rangers, with Eberechi Eze netting the winner against his former club.
Results
Stoke 2-1 (penalties 1-1*) Fleetwood
Blackpool 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Brentford 3-1 Leyton Orient
Everton 5-6 (penalties 1-1*) Southampton
Preston 16-15 (penalties 1-1*) Fulham
QPR 1-2 Crystal Palace
Manchester United 7-0 Barnsley
