London: Manchester United survived a League Cup scare against third tier Rochdale as they won 5-3 on penalties, while West Ham suffered a shock 4-0 defeat at Oxford on Wednesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s struggling side were held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford after 16-year-old Luke Matheson scored a 76th minute equaliser following Mason Greenwood’s opener for United eight minutes earlier.
With United in danger of a humiliating exit, they held their nerve in the shoot-out, winning 5-3 as Daniel James converted the decisive kick after Sergio Romero saved Rochdale’s second penalty from Jimmy Keohane.
Although United avoided the embarrassment of losing to a team 17th in League One, the sloppy manner of their performance will raise fresh questions about Solskjaer’s ability to inspire his side.
United are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League after Saturday’s dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham left them with just two wins from six games.
Liverpool eased to a 2-0 victory at third tier MK Dons.
Frank Lampard got a first home win as Chelsea boss under his belt as his youthful side thumped fourth division Grimsby 7-1.
Ross Barkley opened the floodgates and Michy Batshuayi struck twice.
Later, third tier Oxford reached the fourth round for the first time in 22 years thanks to a stunning victory against West Ham.
Second-half goals by Elliott Moore, Matty Taylor, Tariqe Fosu and Shandon Baptiste left West Ham shell-shocked.
Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini made nine changes and handed a full debut to academy graduate Nathan Holland, but the understudies weren’t up to the task.
