EFL Cup first round action
The EFL Cup first round saw several matches unfold, with some London clubs experiencing varied outcomes. Leyton Orient secured a victory against Oxford United, while Millwall advanced after a penalty shootout against QPR. West Ham United also made a strong comeback in their match against Portsmouth.
At Brisbane Road, Idris El Mizouni sealed the win for Leyton Orient against Oxford United with a goal in the 88th minute. This followed an earlier goal from Demetri Mitchell in the 85th minute, putting the Os ahead.
Meanwhile, Millwall progressed to the next round after a penalty shootout against QPR, winning 2-0 on penalties. Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen notably saved all four penalties, a feat not seen for an English club in any competition since Jason Steele for Brighton against Newport in the 2020-21 FA Cup. Jensen is only the second goalkeeper to achieve this since Opta records for shoot-outs began in 2013-14.
West Ham’s comeback and other results
West Ham United demonstrated a strong performance, overcoming an early deficit against Portsmouth. Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen were instrumental in all three of West Ham’s goals. Castellanos scored to level the match at 1-1 in the 43rd minute, following good work from Mohamadou Kanté. Bowen then put the Hammers ahead in the 45th minute with a long-range shot.
Castellanos extended West Ham’s lead to 3-1 in the 50th minute, glancing Bowen’s cross into the net. Despite being 3-1 down after an hour, Portsmouth had shown periods of comfortable play earlier in the match.
Elsewhere, Norwich City secured a 3-1 victory over MK Dons. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing of MK Dons had a penalty saved by Canaries keeper Vladan Kovacevic. From the subsequent corner, Ryan Wintle scored for the visitors. Norwich restored their three-goal advantage shortly after, with Brooks scoring after good pressing from Philippe Clement’s men.
In other matches, Stoke City defeated Oldham 2-0, with Robert Bozenik scoring in the 82nd minute. Cardiff secured a 3-2 win against Swindon, thanks to a goal from Jack Moylan in the 77th minute. Sheffield Wednesday beat Bolton 1-0, with Jamal Lowe scoring in the 70th minute. However, the match also saw a red card for Xavier Simons of Bolton after an incident with Harry Gray of Sheffield Wednesday.
Newport County took the lead against AFC Wimbledon with a goal from Yahya Bamba in the 71st minute. Preston North End were 1-0 down against Huddersfield Town, with Radinio Balker scoring for Huddersfield in the 38th minute.
The match between Preston North End and Huddersfield Town is a replay of the 1938 FA Cup final. That historic final, the first to be televised live by the BBC, went into extra time. During the match, Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Woodrooffe, a BBC radio broadcaster, famously stated that if a goal was scored in the 120th minute, he would “eat my hat.” Shortly after, George Mutch of Preston North End was awarded a penalty, which he converted.
Burnley and Notts County were level at 1-1 after Zian Flemming scored for Burnley in the 47th minute.
Source: bbc.co.uk