Leeds and Brentford Lead Carabao Cup Second-Round Goal Rush

Leeds United reached the Carabao Cup third round with a 2-0 victory away to Nottingham Forest, completing a second win at the City Ground in three days. PA Media reported that Dan James broke the deadlock in the 50th minute before a Neco Williams own goal secured the result for Daniel Farke’s team.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZaVs9Dp6hw

The cup success followed Leeds’ 1-0 Premier League win at the same venue on Saturday. Before those two results, the West Yorkshire club had not won at Nottingham Forest’s ground since 1972. The quick repeat victory made Leeds one of the leading stories on a busy night of second-round action.

Brentford delivered the largest top-flight statement of the evening by beating Birmingham City 6-1 at St Andrew’s. Callum Wilson scored six minutes into his full debut, while captain Nathan Collins contributed two headed goals. Aaron Hickey, Mikkel Damsgaard and Igor Thiago also scored after Demarai Gray had briefly levelled for Birmingham.

Peterborough United produced an emphatic upset at Vicarage Road, defeating Championship side Watford 5-1. Watford head coach Alessio Dionisi changed his entire starting lineup, and League One Peterborough took advantage. James Clarridge scored an own goal, Harry Leonard struck twice, and Bolu Shofowoke and Harrison Jones completed the scoring.

West Ham United also advanced with a 4-1 comeback victory at Southampton. Léo Scienza put Southampton ahead, but 19-year-old Josh Ayala scored twice on his full professional debut to turn the match around. Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen added the remaining goals for West Ham at St Mary’s.

Elsewhere, Hull City eliminated Stoke City 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Marcelino Núñez scored twice, including an effort from the halfway line, in Ipswich Town’s 3-1 win over Leicester City. Middlesbrough beat Doncaster Rovers 3-1, Norwich City won 2-1 at Cardiff City, and Saheed Olagunju scored on debut as Wolves defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-0.