MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez scored twice as the holders moved into the League Cup fourth round with a 6-1 home win over League One (third tier) Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.
Liverpool also progressed without trouble by winning 3-0 at Norwich City in their all-Premier League tie with Japanese forward Takumi Minamino on target twice and Divock Origi also scoring.
But with most top flight teams making several changes from the first-choice lineups, there were Premier League casualties with Everton and Watford knocked out by lower league opponents.
Brandon Hanlan gave Wycombe a shock lead at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in the 22nd minute, but the hosts took a 3-1 lead by half time with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Mahrez and Phil Foden before running away with the game in the second half.
City’s rout was completed when 19-year-old Cole Palmer scored their sixth, his first goal for the club on a night when manager Pep Guardiola gave debuts to five young products of the club’s academy.
Top flight Brentford’s Finnish forward Marcus Forss scored four as they crushed League Two (fourth tier) bottom side Oldham Athletic (7-0) in their third round tie.
Burnley’s Jay Rodriguez also claimed four goals in his Premier League team’s 4-1 victory over League Two Rochdale at Turf Moor.
Everton lost 8-7 in a penalty shootout at Queens Park Rangers after their game ended 2-2 following 90 minutes. — Reuters