LONDON: One route to a first trophy since 2017 is already over for Manchester United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team were knocked out of the League Cup in the third round by West Ham United on Wednesday.

Manuel Lanzini clinched a 1-0 victory after sweeping in from Ryan Fredericks’ cutback to give David Moyes a first victory in management at Old Trafford seven years after United fired him.

In the fourth round, West Ham will take on the Manchester City, winners of the last four League Cup finals as the London club chases a first domestic trophy since the 1980 FA Cup.

It was a completely changed United line-up from the side that won at West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday so Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature. It is in the league after five rounds that United remain among the frontrunners with Liverpool, who play at Preston North End next in the League Cup, and Chelsea, who crept into the fourth round by beating Aston Villa 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

United also lost their opening game in the group stage of the Champions League last week against Young Boys.

“We know it’s going to be a long, long journey all season,” Solskjaer said. “Champions League, FA Cup, Premier League. We have got loads of games.”

Much-maligned German forward Timo Werner headed Chelsea into the lead in the 54th minute at Stamford Bridge, finishing off Reece James’ cross for his first goal in 11 games.

With Villa fan Prince William watching from the stands, 19-year-old striker Cameron Archer equalised in the 64th minute with a close-range header from Matty Cash’s cross.

James scored Chelsea’s winning penalty in the shoot-out after Ashley Young and Marvelous Nakamba missed for Villa as they set up a fourth-round home clash with Southampton.

Arsenal will host Leeds United after beating AFC Wimbledon 3-0. Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty in the 11th minute was not built on until the final 13 minutes when substitute Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah wrapped up the victory over the third-tier side.

Tottenham Hotspur will face another Premier League team away, Burnley, after ousting Wolverhampton Wanderers as manager Nuno Espirito Santo claimed his second win of the season against his former club.

Tottenham survived a scare after blowing a 2-0 lead secured by Harry Kane and Tanguy Ndombele. Leander Dendoncker and Daniel Podence hauled Wolves level to force the game to penalties. But Ruben Neves, Dendoncker and Conor Coady failed to score in the shootout as Tottenham won 3-2 on penalties.

Leicester City set up a home tie with high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion thanks to a 2-0 win at Millwall. Brighton saw off Swansea City 2-0.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2021