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Barclays Premier League sides West Ham and Fulham crashed out of the Carling Cup at the third-round stage at the hands of Football League opposition.

Gianfranco Zola's Hammers were sent packing by Watford at Vicarage Road as goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka missed a cross and the ball went in off Hayden Mullins for an own goal (70) as the Hornets triumphed 1-0.

It was the same scoreline at Turf Moor as a goal from substitute Jay Rodriguez two minutes from time handed Burnley victory over Fulham.

League Two will have a representative in the fourth round after Rotherham piled more misery on Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Southampton with a 3-1 victory.

The Millers have yet to reach zero points having started the season on -17 but Nick Fenton scrambled the opener following a corner (20) and Danny Harrison doubled the lead 11 minutes after half-time.

Substitute Stern John gave Saints hope with a stunning shot from 25 yards (61), but instead of provoking a fightback from the visitors, Drewe Broughton made sure of victory eight minutes later.

Arsenal's next generation gave a display of precocious talent in a 6-0 home win over Sheffield United, with Carlos Vela the star of the show.

Established first-teamer Nicklas Bendtner (31, 42) finished off clever assists from Vela and Aaron Ramsey to put the Gunners two up before Vela made it three (44) with a lovely curling effort.

The Mexican then grabbed his second by leaving Paddy Kenny on his backside before calmly slotting in his second (50) and 16-year-old Jack Wilshere got in on the act with the fifth (57).

Fittingly, Vela had the last word by completing his hat-trick three minutes from time.

Swansea emerged victorious in the most keenly-contested match of the evening with a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Cardiff.

Jordi Gomez grabbed the only goal of the game with a deflected free-kick which Peter Enckelman could not keep out (57).

Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd both saw efforts chalked off for offside while Cardiff's misery was completed when Stephen McPhail was sent off for two yellow cards.

Andy Robinson scored an injury-time winner as Leeds defeated fellow League One side Hartlepool 3-2 at Elland Road.

The visitors were twice ahead through Andy Monkhouse (2) and Joel Porter (33), but Leeds hit back both times to equalise, Robert Snodgrass (14) and Enoch Showunmi (58) on the scoresheet.

The game looked set for extra-time before Robinson curled an effort into the top corner.

Manchester United and Liverpool both progressed safely - Sir Alex Ferguson's side beating Middlesbrough 3-1 while their big rivals saw off Crewe 2-1.

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his first start of the season with the opener at Old Trafford when he headed in Ryan Giggs' corner (25).

Brad Jones kept Boro in contention with some fine saves before Adam Johnson shocked the home crowd by drawing the visitors level with a shot from the edge of the box (56).

But they found themselves a man down when Emanuel Pogatetz was shown a straight red card for a bad foul on Rodrigo Possebon, who was carried off the pitch with what looked a bad injury.

Chris Riggott's mistake then let in Giggs to put United back in front (79) and Nani made sure of victory in injury time.

Daniel Agger opened the scoring at Anfield when he fired in a free-kick after 15 minutes.

But Crewe showed they would be no pushovers by equalising through Michael O'Connor (25) after debutant keeper Diego Cavalieri had parried Calvin Zola's header.

There was to be no fairytale victory for the League One side, however, as Lucas headed in Jermaine Pennant's cross (58) for what proved the winner.

Sporting Life / Eurosport