Carabao Cup Drama: Leeds Complete Double Over Forest, Brentford Thrash Birmingham in Comprehensive Victory

Leeds secured a second consecutive victory at Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest within three days, booking their place in the Carabao Cup third round. Dan James’s goal in the 50th minute and a Neco Williams own goal sealed a 2-0 win for Daniel Farke’s side, building on their 1-0 league success achieved just days earlier.

Prior to this recent resurgence, the West Yorkshire club had not claimed victory at the City Ground since 1972. Following the defeat, newly appointed Forest manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating he is not a “magician”.

“Right now, we are far away from where we want to be,” Glasner remarked. “The fact remains that this team faced a relegation battle for nine months. It was a very turbulent season that concluded with a tremendous effort to maintain their top-flight status, and this is our current foundation.

“It is crucial that we avoid placing blame on anyone. Sometimes when I present facts, they interpret it as complaining. That’s not the case. However, when your best midfielder [Elliot Anderson] departs the club, expecting us to compete for European positions simply because Oliver Glasner has arrived would be unreasonable. I cannot deliver that within six weeks. I’m no magician, no messiah—only hard work. That is our approach.”

Callum Wilson opened the scoring just six minutes into his full debut, while captain Nathan Collins added two headed goals as Brentford delivered a commanding 6-1 victory over Birmingham at St Andrew’s. Aaron Hickey, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Igor Thiago also found the target for the Bees, despite Demarai Gray’s brief equaliser following Wilson’s opener.

League One side Peterborough produced a stunning upset, defeating Championship outfit Watford 5-1 at Vicarage Road to advance to round three. Hornets head coach Alessio Dionisi paid a heavy price for making 11 changes to his starting lineup, as James Clarridge’s own goal, Harry Leonard’s brace, and strikes from Bolu Shofowoke and Harrison Jones completed an emphatic triumph.

Hull needed a penalty shootout to overcome second-tier Stoke, winning 5-4 in the shootout after the sides had finished level at 1-1. Robert Bozenik had given Stoke the lead before Kieran Dowell equalised for the Tigers.

Teenager Josh Ayala marked his full professional debut with two goals as West Ham staged a comeback to defeat Championship rivals Southampton 4-1. Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen wrapped up the Hammers’ victory at St Mary’s, with Ayala’s double cancelling out Léo Scienza’s opening goal.

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo praised Ayala’s performance. “This is important for Josh,” he said. “He works diligently every day in training to earn opportunities in matches. We are thrilled he seized this chance.”

Marcelino Núñez struck twice, including a remarkable goal from the halfway line, to help Ipswich secure a 3-1 victory over Leicester.

Middlesbrough exacted revenge for their previous season’s elimination by Doncaster with a 3-1 triumph, courtesy of goals from Kyle Joseph, Will Lankshear, and Jeremy Sarmiento.

Norwich forward Ante Crnac marked his return after a 10-month absence due to a serious knee injury by scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 away victory against Cardiff.

Saheed Olagunju’s debut strike helped Wolves claim a 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday‘s Hillsborough ground, while Ched Evans netted twice as Fleetwood thrashed League Two side Shrewsbury 4-0.

Romelle Donovan scored his first Sheffield United goal to secure a 2-1 victory away at fellow Championship side Blackburn. Leyton Orient progressed 6-5 on penalties away to Walsall following a goalless draw.

In other matches, Lincoln emerged 4-1 victors at Blackpool, Jake Cooper’s goal earned Millwall a 1-0 success at Cambridge, League One Barnsley came from behind to beat fourth-tier Crewe 3-2 at Oakwell, and Reading recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory at Stevenage.

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