Manchester United, the reigning League Cup champions, launched their title defense with a commanding 3-0 victory at home against top-flight rivals Crystal Palace in the third round on Tuesday.
Casemiro played a pivotal role in United’s triumph, scoring one goal and setting up another. The Brazilian midfielder’s splendid performance included a headed goal in the 27th minute from Mason Mount’s swinging corner, securing United’s second goal of the evening. Anthony Martial added the third goal in the 55th minute, capitalizing on defensive errors to convert a Casemiro cross at the back post.
In the same vein, Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United side comfortably navigated past Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, putting aside their challenging start to the season.
However, Premier League outfits Wolverhampton Wanderers and Luton Town faced unexpected setbacks as they were eliminated by lower-division opponents.
Wolves surged ahead 2-0 but then succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against high-flying Championship side Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, Luton Town, newly promoted to the Premier League, suffered a 1-0 loss to League One’s Exeter City.
Exeter City displayed remarkable resilience by holding on with ten men after Demetri Mitchell was shown a second yellow card just five minutes after scoring his 83rd-minute goal.
In a contrasting performance, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, still seeking their first Premier League win this season, dominated League Two opponents Salford City with a resounding 4-0 victory, despite fielding a second-string team.
Palace’s goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, who was signed from Manchester United in August, endured an unfortunate debut as he left the match after just 19 minutes due to a perceived right leg strain. His replacement, Sam Johnstone, another Manchester United academy graduate, faced an immediate challenge, conceding a goal two minutes after entering the field. Diogo Dalot cut back from the byline for Alejandro Garnacho to score with his right foot.
The night’s solitary fixture between two top-flight clubs, United and Palace, was closely watched, with a league rematch scheduled at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Sofyan Amrabat, the Morocco international loan signing from Fiorentina, made his maiden start for Manchester United, impressing in the left-back role. Amrabat expressed his adaptability, stating, “I told the manager I play where you need me, even if it’s like a goalkeeper. I play where I can help the team. Today it was left back, but I had a bit of a free role.”
Ipswich Town advanced to the last 16 of the League Cup for the first time since 2010, with Jack Taylor’s long-range strike securing a 58th-minute victory. Freddie Ladapo and Omari Hutchinson contributed to Ipswich’s comeback after falling behind.
Wolves initially took the lead in the fourth minute through Hwang Hee-Chan, but Toti Gomes doubled Ipswich’s score in the 15th minute.
Additionally, Championship side Middlesbrough secured a 2-0 win over League Two’s Bradford City, while League Two’s Mansfield Town triumphed 3-1 on penalties over League One’s Peterborough United, following a 2-2 draw in regular time.
Lastly, Sutton United, currently at the bottom of the league, faced a 2-1 defeat at the hands of League One’s Port Vale.
The draw for the fourth round will occur after Wednesday’s matches, featuring 12 Premier League clubs in action, with last year’s runners-up, Newcastle United, hosting Premier League champions Manchester City.
