Brighton rock: Goalkeeper Michel Kuipers was a solid presence, denying Brazilian striker Jo during Brighton’s unexpected Carling Cup triumph over Manchester City Photo: Reuters

Michel Kuipers, the Brighton goalkeeper and a former Dutch Royal Marine, made a series of outstanding saves against City at the Withdean Stadium, then saved a penalty, from Michael Ball, to send [...]

Empty: Newcastle fans voting with their feet as they stay away from games Photo: Reuters

Newcastle United are in such humiliating freefall that their fans would probably accept Chas and Dave as owners and Barbara Windsor as manager. Gallowgate’s “Cockney Mafia Out” brigade may need to rewrite their song-sheet if Terry Venables is brought in to [...]

Shining light: Mexican teenager Carlos Vela is just one of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s bright hopes for the future at The Emirates Photo: AFP

And, following the World Cup success, he insisted that as part of agreeing to join Chivas de Guadalajara, the Vela family be relocated, from the storm-affected Cancun.
Since leaving Mexico and developing his [...]

Spot on: Brighton and Hove Albion players congratulate Matt Richards (centre) after he scored the decisive penalty Photo: Getty Images

The men in Abu Dhabi will not be happy. Manchester City’s pursuit of excellence was halted by the unlikely figure of a former Dutch Marine as Brighton, 52 places lower on the league ladder, embarrassed football’s [...]

Heads up: Damion Stewart heads the only goal of the game beyond a stranded Brad Guzan to gift Queens Park Rangers a surprise win over Aston Villa Photo: PA

The team lying fourth in the Championship knocked out the side occupying the same position in the Premier League last night, Queens Park Rangers beating under-strength Aston [...]

Fine start: Robbie Fowler played a key part in Blackburn’s Carling Cup win over Everton as the former Liverpool striker impressed on his debut at Ewood Park Photo: Getty Images

Blackburn defender Martin Olsson ensured that Everton suffered the worst possible start to their season-defining week with a first-half winner to consign David Moyes’s team to [...]

Positive return: Lee Catermole (centre) is mobbed by his Wigan team-mates Photo: PA

It took a full-strength Wigan to keep their hopes of reaching another League Cup final alive in what proved to be something of a slog, even if the scoreline suggests that it was more of a stroll.
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Double trouble: Frank Lampard scored twice in Chelsea’s easy victory Photo: Getty Images

Ominous, very. On this evidence Luiz Felipe Scolari’s promise to lead Chelsea on a remorseless four-pronged pursuit of every piece of silverware open to them was no idle platitude but a chilling statement of intent.
It was the third round of the Carling Cup, [...]

Strong signing: new Chelsea midfielder Mineiro adds strength to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s options as displayed last year against Argentina’s Lionel Messi Photo: AFP

Defensive midfielder Mineiro, full name Carlos Luciano de Silva, was free to join outside the transfer window following his release by German club Hertha Berlin at the end of last season. The 33-year-old [...]

Head above the rest: Roman Pavlyuchenko heads Spurs’ opener Photo: Getty Images

Newcastle United are in such a mess at the moment that they would probably accept a Nigerian businessman as manager and Terry Venables as owner.
This defeat highlighted the lack of leadership on the pitch, reflecting the dearth of guidance off it. Once again, Mike [...]