As it usually does the League Cup brought its first upsets yesterday:
- Northampton knocked out Liverpool on penalties at Anfield Road
- West Brom beat Manchester City 2-1
- Newcastle beat Chelsea 4-3 at Stamford Bridge.
So, which was the biggest upset?
Wigan managed to move a few places above the relegation zone after beating Wolves away from home and earning a 2-2 home draw against Arsenal but Sunday's game will see them facing 13th placed Newcastle, a team that lost the last two games (3-1 at home with Man City and 2-0 away at Tottenham).
Andy Carroll is Newcastle's leading scorer with 16 goals to his name this season, including the winner at The Keepmoat Stadium away to Doncaster tonight. However, after the bust-up with Steven Taylor, will we see Big Andy play in the Premier League?
Some of the favorites were knocked out in the previous round, the last 16 clashes look like this:
Aston Villa vs Burnley F.C.
Birmingham City vs Brentford
Ipswich Town vs Northampton Town
Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton
Newcastle United vs Arsenal
West Ham United vs Stoke City
Wigan Athletic FC vs Swansea City
Which of the top five favorites will win the cup? Feel free to add other options in the comments.
Yes, they'll have too much for the likes of West Brom, Forest etc.
No, it will be a repeat of 1996 and they'll throw the title away to other contenders
Newcastle United have done well this season to avenge for their Premier League relegation in 2009. A new manager, new players and their loyal fans behind them. Top of the table by 6 points as it stands with 13 games left to play. Can Chris Hughton lead the Magpies back to the Premier League?
The two rivals will meet on Sunday at the Stadium of Light and Sunderland will surely be keen on avenging the 5-1 defeat that they recorded at St. James' Park earlier in the season. Newcastle won their last league game quite convincingly, 5-0 against west Ham, while Sunderland grabbed a narrow 1-0 win at Aston Villa. Sunderland are in 6th place before the game while Newcastle are 8th, five points behind their arch rivals but with a game in hand.
Necastle United are nearly there. Two wins and Chris Hughton's side are a Premier League team again. After a torrid last season, and a new campaign in the Premier League awaiting them, could they survive the drop in first of asking?
Newcastle are now 8 points clear at the top of the Coca Cola Championship and looking good for the title. However, is Chris Hughton's side the best team below the Premier League, in England?
Ninth placed Newcastle will meet fifth placed Tottenham on Saturday and both teams are coming from draws recorded last week: Tottenham held Manchester United to a goalless draw at White Hart Lane while Newcastle grabbed a 1-1 derby draw against Sunderland. New signing Steven Pienaar might make his debut for Tottenham.
