Round of firsts breathes new life into League Cup

The past two nights of League Cup action have seen 24 players make their debuts for their clubs, 17 start for the first time, 13 score their first goals in new colours, 3 penalty shoot-outs, 2 go to extra-time and a number of big name players return to action after long absences from the game. There have been no less than 50 goals in the 16 ties of the round as managers across the divisions made changes to their starting line-ups as testing fixture schedules build early in the season. 

The cup is seen as a perfect opportunity to blood youngsters into first-team football as well as giving players vital playing time as they regain match fitness or start to settle into life in English football after summer moves from abroad. This is often seen as a slant on the competition and teams are accused of  not showing the League Cup much respect but this year's third round has seen some exciting football which owes much to the rotation policies of the clubs involved. Youngsters and big-money signings alike, as well as 'sicknotes' fighting for their squad number, have shown incredible desire to prove their worth and the result has been a round of ties that have averaged over 3 goals a game.

There were introductions to English football for the likes of Marcel Gecar and Orlando Sa at Fulham, Medhi Abeid for Newcastle, Costel Pantilimon and Luca Scapuzzi at Man City, Chu-Young Park and Oguzhan Ozyakup at Arsenal and Vicente who made his debut for Brighton at the Amex arena last night. The Spain international, with 8 caps, joined the Seagulls in the summer following his release from Valencia and is a sign of Brighton's continuing ambition under Gus Poyet. 

Meanwhile, Karim Rekik and Luca Scapuzzi were given their first taste of senior football at Man City as was Ben Reeves at Southampton, Paul Pogba, Ezckiel Fryers and Larnell Cole for Man Utd, Aiden O'Brien at Millwall, Matt Edwards for Rochdale, Massimo Luongo at Spurs and James Spray for Wolves. Spray marked the occasion by netting his first senior goal, scoring Wolves' 4th of the 5-0 win over Millwall whilst Luongo had a night to forget, missing Spurs' 8th penalty of their shootout at Stoke which resulted in Spurs failing to progress to the next round.

There were welcome returns to the game for Steven Gerrard who played 16 minutes of Liverpool's win over Brighton after being out for 6 months with a groin injury and Hatem Ben Arfa who featured in Newcastle's 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest. It was Ben Arfa's first game for the club since breaking his leg against Man City last October. Stuart Holden, out since March with knee ligament damaged, started for Bolton who brushed aside Aston Villa thanks to Chris Eagles' first goal for the club and debutant Gael Kakuka's fine strike. Sandro and Dave Edwards returned to the Spurs and Wolves sides respectively after months away from the pitch and Kolo Toure played his first competitive game since he was banned for a failed drugs test in March.

Arsenal will be relieved following their win over Shrewsbury which owes to Keiran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yossi Benayoun goals, all their first for the club as Arsene Wenger's men came from a goal behind to see off Shrewsbury Town. The only real upset of the round came at The Ebb Stadium where League Two side Aldershot overcame Rochdale of League One to enter the fourth round for the, you've guessed it, first time in their history. Dean Holdsworth's men have already seen off West Ham and Carlisle in the competition and will prove a tricky opponent in the last 16 due to their unwavering spirit and fight. 

Elsewhere in the round Man Utd overcame Leeds with Micael Owen marking his first start of the season with a fine brace. Ryan Giggs added to Owen's tally as United came away from Elland Road with a 3-0 win. Everton needed extra-time to beat West Brom as the blue half of Mersyside came from a goal down to beat the Baggies 2-1. Phil Neville's first League Cup goal in 17 years proved to be the winner and was well worth the wait as the Everton skipper was fed by Royston Drenthe, starting for the first time in and Everton shirt, on the right and Neville placed the ball in the top of the far corner to seal the victory.

Cardiff overcame Leicester 7-6 on penalties after the game ended 2-2 at the final whistle and Crystal Palace inflicted Middlesbrough's first defeat of the season winning 2-1 in the all Championship ties. Southampton saw off a spirited Preston challenge thanks to Jos Hoiveld's first goal for the club and Adam Lallana's winner, Blackburn beat Leyton Orient 3-2 with Simon Vukcevic netting his first goal for the Ewood Park club and there was a first goal for Andre Amougou the player formerly known as Bikey who's overhead kick made it 2-1 to Burnley at home to MK Dons in the dying minutes of the game to ensure victory for Eddie Howe's men. Chelsea handed first starts to Romeu Lukaku and Oriel Romeu as well as a first start for Ryan Bertrand as they beat Fulham 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of football. Alex was sent-off for Chelsea for the first time in his Stamford Bridge career after 47 minutes when he brought down Fulham's Frei in the box. Kasami hit the resulting penalty against the bar and Fulham, literally, paid the penalty for not making the most of their man advantage.

The round, however, will surely belong to the man who, not only playing his first game for the side whom he joined from their bitter rivals, but also, making his first competitive appearance in nearly a year, scored a stunning goal to send his side through to the fourth round of the competition. Owen Hargreaves would have been delighted to have just lasted 30 minutes unscathed let alone the 55 that he managed and scoring the opening goal of the game is just rewards for a player who has been marred with injuries ever since starring for England in the 2006 World Cup. Eyebrows were raised when Hargreaves was signed in the summer by Roberto Mancini, following his release from Manchester United, but if he can remain fit (and that's a big 'if') he will be a valuable member of City's squad this season. Mario Balotelli's first goal of the season made sure that City saw of Birmingham 2-0 to advance to the next round.