Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

5 EFL talking points as Man City experience joy and sorrow; Brentford hit seven

mirror.co.uk, 21 September 2021, 21:45

It's been another busy night across various competitions in the EFL.

The third round of the Carabao Cup saw 41 goals across ten games with the odd shock or two thrown in.

The standout result was Brentford's 7-0 humbling of sorry Oldham, who are already bottom of the entire Football League, whilst three Premier League teams were eliminated from the competition.

Elsewhere, there were four games taking place tonight across Leagues One and Two.

And in addition, there were a sprinkling of EFL Trophy games.

Here, we look at some of the talking points to emerge from this evening's games.

Brentford turned on the style against Oldham

Cup shocks avoided - in the main

At various points in the evening there were more than a few shocks on the cards.

Manchester City, who have effectively owned this competition having won the last four editions, were trailing 1-0 to Wycombe.

Similarly, Burnley trailed 1-0 at home to Rochdale, QPR led twice against Everton, Sheffield United went in front against Southampton and Stoke twice took the lead against Watford.

In the end, Wycombe and Rochdale fell apart and conceded ten respectively.

As for the others, it was a mixed bag with QPR hanging on for a successful spot-kick win, whilst the Blades lost their shoot-out.

As for Stoke, they sealed a notable 3-1 win at Vicarage Road to secure the evening's stand-out win.

Four-midable strike pair

Just how do you separate them?

Both Marcus Forss and Jay Rodriguez would quite rightly have left the field at full-time tonight expecting to easily pick up the player of the round award.

After all, they each struck four times. Brentford's Forss hit a first half hat-trick before adding a fourth for good measure on the hour.

Burnley forward Rodriguez matched that feat although all his strikes came in a bonkers second half at Turf Moor.

Jay Rodriguez scored four for Burnley against Rochdale

He hit a treble in the space of 12 minutes and his quad took just 27 minutes in total as they came from behind to knock out Rochdale.

Surely no other player will hit as many in Wednesday night's six ties?

All change please!

We've come to expect it by now but this competition often sees multiple changes made by Premier League sides.

Tonight saw nine top flight teams in action and between them they made 76 alterations - an average of more than eight each.

Some went the whole hog, changing their entire team.

It probably goes to show, given the lack of upsets, that strength in depth really is crucial.

Charlton fans losing patience

Nigel Adkins' Charlton are in the League One relegation places

Charlton Athletic remain in the League One dropzone after another below-par result tonight.

Despite dominating the first half against Gillingham, they only had a 1-0 lead to show for it.

Elliot Lee notched the opener but the Gills drew level through a Ben Purrington own goal. Despite pressing, Athletic had to make do with a point.

It does little to ease the pressure on boss Nigel Adkins, and they've now won just two of 10 in all competitions.

Fans are already venting their fury on social media and Saturday's home game with Portsmouth looks massive.

Not all happy for City

City's senior side were doing the business, despite a scare, against Wycombe in the Carabao Cup.

But their under-21s didn't enjoy a memorable night.

They were in action away at Doncaster in the Papa John's Trophy although a clutch of regulars were of course bumped up to the first team by manager Pep Guardiola.

And despite Samuel Edozie giving Brian Barry-Murphy's side the perfect start when he put them 1-0 up, they couldn't hang on in South Yorkshire.

Liam Delap was hooked after an hour against Doncaster

Joe Dodoo's brace turned the game on its head and the hosts held on. Another interesting side-note was Liam Delap's exit from the action just after the hour mark.

That will undoubtedly raise questions about Guardiola's plan for him, given the expectation heaped on his young shoulders over the summer.

Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip

Top News

16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Belgium will be heading into Monday's Euro 2024 fixture against Slovakia having put together a 17-match streak. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo has said that the current Portugal "generation" deserve to win a European Championship. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raphael Varane and Casemiro were allegedly two Manchester United players to question the approach of head coach Erik ten Hag over the last two seasons at Old Trafford. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in a reunion with Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia have allegedly launched a £25m offer for Mason Greenwood, with the Manchester United forward keen to make a permanent move to Spain during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jack Grealish is reportedly open to discussing a move away from Manchester City during this summer's transfer window after struggling for form during the 2023-24 campaign. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to loan one of their teenage starlets out to Belgium for the 2024-25 season. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wout Weghorst scores a late decisive goal for Netherlands at a major tournament yet again as Oranje record a 2-1 win over Poland at Euro 2024. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Czech Republic suffered a huge blow ahead of Euro 2024 when key midfielder Michal Sadilek was forced to withdraw from the squad due to an injury which he suffered while riding a bike. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead the Portugal line in the country's Euro 2024 opener against Czech Republic, with the forward remaining a vital player for his country at the age of 39. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the favourites for this summer's European Championship will take to the field on Tuesday evening, with Portugal opening their Euro 2024 campaign against the Czech Republic at Leipzig Stadium. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly pushing to hijack Real Madrid's proposed move for River Plate starlet Franco Mastantuono. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly received a significant boost in their pursuit of Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, as the Eagles have begun negotiations to sign a possible successor. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk French giants Lille have reportedly rejected an offer from an unnamed Premier League club for the services of 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will headline the Georgia side in the country's first-ever match in the finals of a major tournament on Tuesday evening. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella is expected to name Juventus' 19-year-old attacker Kenan Yildiz in his starting XI for Tuesday's Euro 2024 opener against Georgia. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Group F at Euro 2024 will get underway on Tuesday evening in Dortmund, with Turkey and Georgia locking horns for what is likely to be a very important match in the section. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane believes that the Three Lions' squad for Euro 2024 may be the "best" that his nation have ever had. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have reportedly moved into pole position to sign Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho, with the Old Lady cooling their interest in his teammate Mason Greenwood. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will reportedly have to come up with an offer of €50m (£42m) if they wish to sign Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France have received another timely injury boost before the start of their Euro 2024 campaign, as one of their fundamental cogs has returned to full training following injury. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Austrian youngster Oghenetejiri Adejenughure to discuss a move to Old Trafford this summer. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich marksman Harry Kane is poised to break a handful of England records when the Three Lions tackle Serbia in Sunday's Euro 2024 Group C opener at the Veltins-Arena. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Even before its first weekend of action is complete, the 17th European Championship has delivered a dizzying array of new bests and curious firsts. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has drawn level with Cristiano Ronaldo on a record-breaking number of Euros appearances, but he may only stand alongside his Portuguese foe for a matter of days. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mere weeks after a gruelling domestic season concluded for the continent's most celebrated talents, 24 teams and over 600 players are now going again with Euro 2024 supremacy at stake. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Vitoria vs. Internacional (Sunday, 8.00pm) Looking to secure their maiden win of the 2024 Brasileiro campaign at the ninth attempt, bottom side Vitoria will welcome Internacional to Estadio Manoel Barradas on Sunday afternoon. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ecuador vs. Honduras (Sunday, 8.30pm) Playing their final warm-up fixture ahead of the Copa America, Ecuador meet Honduras in Connecticut on Sunday evening.