MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (REUTERS, AFP) – Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Leeds United overcame lower division opposition to secure their places in the League Cup third round with victories on Wednesday (Aug 24).
The third-round draw pitted Newcastle against Crystal Palace while Leeds travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The big match of the next round pits Premier League champions Manchester City against last season’s League Cup runners-up Chelsea.
Newcastle had to fight back from a goal down to beat fourth tier (League Two) Tranmere Rovers who had taken the lead through a 24th-minute Elliott Nevitt finish.
Jamaal Lascelles brought Eddie Howe’s side level with a close-range drive before the interval and New Zealand striker Chris Wood glanced in a superbly delivered corner from Kieran Trippier to secure a 2-1 win in the 52nd minute.
Leeds also had a scare before running out 3-1 winners over Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley.
A Louis Sinisterra strike from 20 metres put Leeds on their way before Mateusz Klich doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.
A diving header from Mads Andersen gave Barnsley hope and they could have drawn level from the penalty spot but Callum Styles hit the post.
Klich made sure of the win with a curling shot in the 56th minute.
Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion cruised to a 3-0 win at League One Forest Green Rovers to set up a third-round clash with Arsenal.
Championship (second tier) Bristol City won 3-1 at League One Wycombe Wanderers.
Manchester United will host Aston Villa in round three and Liverpool entertain League One (third tier) Derby County with the games to be played in early November.
Third round draw: Arsenal versus Brighton, Manchester City versus Chelsea, Manchester United versus Aston Villa, Wolverhampton versus Leeds, Nottingham Forest versus Tottenham, Newcastle versus Crystal Palace, Bournemouth versus Everton, Liverpool versus Derby County, Leicester versus Newport County, West Ham versus Blackburn, Southampton versus Sheffield Wednesday, Brentford versus Gillingham, Burnley versus Crawley, Bristol City versus Lincoln City, Stevenage versus Charlton, MK Dons versus Morecambe. Ties being played on Nov 8, 9 and 10.
