Man Utd survive League Cup shoot-out, West Ham crash out

Manchester United defeated third tier Rochdale 5-3 on penalties in the League Cup.

LONDON (AFP) - Manchester United survived a League Cup scare against third tier Rochdale as they won 5-3 on penalties, while West Ham suffered a shock 4-0 defeat at Oxford on Wednesday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s struggling side were held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford after 16-year-old Luke Matheson scored a 76th minute equaliser following Mason Greenwood s opener for United eight minutes earlier.

With United in danger of a humiliating exit, they held their nerve in the shoot-out, winning 5-3 as Daniel James converted the decisive kick after Sergio Romero saved Rochdale s second penalty from Jimmy Keohane.

Although United avoided the embarrassment of losing to a team 17th in League One, the sloppy manner of their performance will raise fresh questions about Solskjaer s ability to inspire his side.

United are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League after Saturday s dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham left them with just two wins from six games.

"We go 1-0 up and you think  come on, get a second . It s a learning curve," Solskjaer said.

"At this club we don t sit back and think that s good enough. That s not what we want here."

Liverpool eased to a 2-0 victory at third tier MK Dons as Harvey Elliott became the youngest player to start a competitive match for the club.

The 16-year-old put in an accomplished display and twice hit the crossbar as James Milner profited from terrible goalkeeping from Stuart Moore to put the Reds in front before Ki-Jana Hoever wrapped up the win.

Frank Lampard got a first home win as Chelsea boss under his belt as his youthful side thumped fourth division Grimsby 7-1.

Ross Barkley opened the floodgates and Michy Batshuayi struck twice.

There were also goals for Pedro, Kurt Zouma, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi -- the England winger making his first appearance since suffering an Achilles injury in April.

Lampard handed debuts to four academy graduates as well as a first start for Billy Gilmour.

Gilmour was a stand-out performer in midfield and fellow rookies James and Marc Guehi also impressed.

"I m pleased, some debuts and the young lads who came on improved the team which was nice. It s nice to get that first home win," Lampard said.

"I thought Gilmour ran the game from midfield. It says a lot about the academy, and nights like this give the opportunity to mix the team up and give them a chance."

At the Kassam Stadium, third tier Oxford reached the fourth round for the first time in 22 years thanks to a stunning victory against West Ham.

Second-half goals by Elliott Moore, Matty Taylor, Tariqe Fosu and Shandon Baptiste left West Ham shell-shocked.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini made nine changes and handed a full debut to academy graduate Nathan Holland, but the understudies weren t up to the task.

Max Power s superb 25-yard strike in the ninth minute fired third tier Sunderland to a surprise 1-0 win at Premier League side Sheffield United.

Bournemouth were the third Premier League club to crash out as third tier Burton -- semi-finalists last season -- won 2-0 in a match delayed three times by floodlight failure at the Pirelli Stadium.

Wolves beat second tier Reading 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw.

Debutant Bruno Jordao put Wolves ahead but Lucas Boye headed Reading level in the ninth minute of stoppage-time, setting up a shoot-out that the Premier League team won comfortably.

Aston Villa cruised to a 3-1 win at Brighton thanks to goals from Jota, Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish.