LONDON: On a frenzied, big-scoring night in the League Cup, Premier League newcomers Watford suffered an upset in a 1-0 loss at Preston North End in the second round on Tuesday.

Premier League teams were given a rough ride by lower-league opponents with five-time champions Aston Villa overcoming plucky Notts County 5-3 after extra time to reach the third round and Jermain Defoe’s hat-trick settling Sunderland’s nine-goal thriller.

Marnick Vermijl’s eighth minute strike gave Championship side Preston victory over Watford at Deepdale with the defender on-loan from Sheffield Wednesday netting from close range.

Scott Sinclair struck a hat-trick for Villa, who had to level three times against their fourth-tier opponents, and Defoe’s treble in a 6-3 win over Exeter City compensated for defensive gaffes which allowed the fourth-tier side to draw level at 3-3 at half time at the Stadium of Light.

Leicester City and Newcastle United were also among the goals with 4-1 wins away to third-tier Bury and at home to Northampton Town respectively, while Bournemouth thrashed another bottom division team Hartlepool 4-0 away.

Top-flight Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace were also taken to extra-time before prevailing in their second-round clashes with lower league opponents.

Stoke won 8-7 on penalties at fourth-tier Luton Town after the game finished 1-1 in 120 minutes and West Brom prevailed 5-3 over third-tier Port Vale in a shootout following a 0-0 draw.

Palace eventually triumphed 4-1 after an extra 30 minutes having been held 1-1 at home by third-tier Shrewsbury Town.

The other two Premier League sides in action on Tuesday went through with Swansea City beating bottom division York City 3-0 while Norwich City edged second-tier Rotherham United 2-1 away.

The third round, when the Premier League teams involved in European competitions enter, should offer more drama with two derbies: Tottenham Hotspur-Arsenal and Villa-Birmingham.—Agencies

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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