Man City 1 – 2 Arsenal
An under-strength Arsenal dumped Manchester City out of the Carling Cup at Eastlands tonight.
Robin van Persie sent the Gunners on their way to victory with a 77th-minute effort before substitute Daniel Karbassiyoon doubled the lead in stoppage time.
Robbie Fowler did pull one back for the Blues with virtually the final kick but it was not enough to prevent Arsene Wenger from celebrating his new contract with a very pleasing victory.
Chelsea 1 – 0 West Ham
Mateja Kezman's first Chelsea goal put them into the fourth round of the Carling Cup but the match-winning hero then found himself at the centre of a coin-throwing controversy.
Kezman finally broke his scoring duck with a 57th minute strike after spurning three glorious first half chances.
Chelsea dominated the game and should have won by a bigger margin but former West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard missed a penalty 13 minutes from time.
However, West Ham could now find themselves in trouble after Kezman was hit by a missile thrown from the visiting supporter's end before Lampard missed his spot-kick.
Birmingham 0 – 1 Fulham
Mark Pembridge scored a stunning winning goal as Fulham survived a battering from Steve Bruce's side to reach the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
The Wales international struck a superb 30-yard shot past Blues 'keeper Maik Taylor with 14 minutes remaining at St Andrews to seal victory for the Cottagers.
But Fulham were indebted to a superb display from keeper Mark Crossley. His goal was under siege for the majority of the 90 minutes as Blues adapted better to the driving wind and rain.
Crossley, deputising for the rested Edwin van der Sar, had one of those games where he kept out everything that Birmingham threw at him with a series of stunning saves.
Southampton 3 – 2 Colchester
Teenager Dexter Blackstock notched a remarkable second half hat-trick after coming on as a Southampton substitute against would-be Carling Cup giant killers Colchester at St Mary's.
Neil Danns nodded the League One side ahead and the second round conquerors of West Brom looked to be on their way to the last 16 as they outclassed ragged Saints.
But then Blackstock, who replaced fellow teenager Leon Best at half-time, scored twice in five minutes just after the break - and although Greg Halford levelled matters again for the impressive Essex side, it was Blackstock again who applied the finishing touch to another free-kick from fellow sub Paul Telfer.
Newcastle 2 – 1 Norwich
Newcastle were forced to scrap their way into the fourth round of the Carling Cup after Norwich staged a second-half fightback.
Graeme Souness's side was cruising towards victory after Jermaine Jenas and Shola Ameobi had put them 2-0 up by half-time.
However, Darren Huckerby's 56th-minute penalty gave the visitors hope, and although the Magpies had more than enough opportunities to kill the tie off, they had to defend to the whistle to secure their passage.
Charlton 1 – 2 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace heaped further misery on misfiring Charlton by dumping their local rivals out of the Carling Cup with a result that will leave Addicks boss Alan Curbishley furious.
But even what was effectively the Palace reserves proved too strong for the ailing Addicks who saw their Hermann Hreidarsson opener bettered with goals from Dougie Freedman and Sandor Torghelle either side of the interval.
Torghelle was sent off for a blatant dive in the 70th minute, which incurred his second yellow card, to bring his evening to a disappointing end but, after guaranteeing the club's place in the fourth round, Dowie will not be too angry with the Hungarian striker.
Everton 2 – 0 Preston
Everton had Lee Carsley sent off after he had fired the Merseysiders into the lead in this dramatic Carling Cup third round clash.
The Irish international scored with a 52nd-minute free-kick, only to be red-carded 20 minutes later after a clash with substitute Eric Skora.
But as Preston battled for an equaliser against the 10 men, it was Everton substitute Marcus Bent who settled the issue when he scored with his first touch after coming on with just a couple of minutes left.
Middlesbrough 3 – 0 Coventry City
Teenager Danny Graham wrapped up Middlesbrough's easy Carling Cup win over Coventry.
Graham fired home Boro's third to sink the Sky Blues as holders Boro made a successful start to the defence of their trophy.
Szilard Nemeth opened the scoring after four minutes and James Morrison headed a 24th-minute second.
Bolton 3 – 4 Tottenham
Jermaine Defoe ended his goal famine tonight by scoring twice to steer Tottenham into the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
The victory in extra time gave the club revenge for the defeat by Bolton in the league only last Saturday.
Tottenham had to dig deep as they twice came from behind against last season's beaten finalists.
