Five of the eight fourth round ties of the Carling Cup took place yesterday with a whole heap of goal action. The only all Premiership tie was between holders Manchester United and Wolves, as usual Sir Alex Ferguson made a whole host of changes to promote the youth culture. The first half had nothing to cheer about with both teams lacking killer instinct in the final third, however the second half was completely different containing five goals. The first goal took eleven minutes in the second half from a very promising Bebe, he looked very impressive in his first United start and deserved the goal. Although it did take a huge deflection off Elokobi before going just behind the line where Foley was on hand to clear it, but the goal rightly stood. The lead only lasted four minutes when the inexperienced Ben Amos was unable to get to a corner which left the goal gaping for Elokobi to equalise and become the first player for Wolves to score at Old Trafford for thirty years. With twenty minutes left United took the lead again through a very nice finish form Ji-Sung Park but again their failure to hold a lead continued as Foley scored his first goal for Wolves six minutes later to make it 2-2. With extra time looming, Ferguson looked to Javier Hernandez to come off the bench and to save United for the second time in three days. His prayers were answered as the Mexican held his nerve to dummy a defender and put the ball past Hennessey to put United into the quarter finals with a 3-2 win.
Roberto Martinez was treated to a fourth round tie at home against his former club Swansea. He received a frosty reception from the visiting crowd but Wigan would ultimately gain the last laugh as they progressed into the quarter finals. Mauro Boselli scored his first Wigan goal six minutes into the second half to put them ahead before Ben Watson scored from the spot in injury time to win 2-0.
Leicester also succumbed to Premier League opposition in the shape of West Brom. Simon Cox opened the scoring after 21 minutes to give Di Matteo's side the half-time lead. Leicester equalised eight minutes into the second half through an own goal from Nicky Shorey. For the second time in as many weeks Somen Tchoyi was able to capitalise from a goalkeeping error as Logan fumbled the ball into his path after 62 minutes to restore West Brom's lead. Steven Reid made it 3-1 eleven minutes from time before Cox rounded off the scoring in injury time.
The only tie without a Premier League side was between Roy Keane's Ipswich and Northampton, who eliminated Liverpool in the third round. A shock was on the cards again as the League 2 side took the lead through Liam Davis after sixteen minutes. The lead only lasted ten minutes as Carlos Edwards equalised for Ipswich. Damien Delaney then gave Ipswich the lead just before half-time then Tamas Priskin sealed the 3-1 victory two minutes from the end.
After removing Everton in the third round, Brentford were looking to repeat the feat away to Birmingham. Sam Wood gave the League 1 side the lead after 68 minutes and it looked to be enough before veteran Kevin Phillips forced extra time with a last minute equaliser. The match eventually went to penalties which Birmingham won 4-3 to become the fifth name in the quarter final draw which will take place on Saturday.
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