The second round of the EFL Cup commenced on Tuesday evening with several of Mick McCarthy‘s provisional senior squad and Stephen Kenny‘s U21 squad in action.
Manchester United loanee Kieran O’Hara had little to do in safeguarding the net for League One Burton Albion who defeated League Two Morecambe by four goals to nil. Conor Hourihane started and scored twice in the first half for Aston Villa who crushed League Two Crewe Alexandra by six goals to one at Gresty Road. Stephen Ward started for Stoke City as they eliminated Leeds United with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success after the sides shared four goals in regular time. Nathan Collins and Scott Hogan remained on the visiting bench at Elland Road. Derby County duo, Richard Keogh and Jason Knight were both unused substitutes as their side went down to a three nil defeat at Nottingham Forest. Captain Alan Browne scored the winning penalty for Preston North End to eliminate visitors Hull City after the sides drew 2 each in normal time. Joe Rafferty was a late substitute for the victors while Adam O’Reilly was unused on the bench. Sheffield United included David McGoldrick and Enda Stevens on their substitute bench, with an injury forcing the early introduction of Stevens after just 24 minutes for the two one victory over visitors Blackburn Rovers who included Greg Cunningham, Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams in their starting eleven. Brighton & Hove Albion journied to League One Bristol Rovers where Aaron Connolly started and opened the scoring in their two one success. James McCarthy completed the full match for Crystal Palace who lost out to League Two Colchester United in a penalty shoot-out following a scoreless draw. Cyrus Christie started for Fulham who lost to the only goal scored by Michael Obafemi for visitors Southampton for whom Shane Long was a 76th minute substitute. The Millwall trio of Aiden O’Brien, Shaun Williams and loanee Jayson Molumby all started at League One Oxford United where the Students’ progressed with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out success following a two all draw. Josh Barrett started and scored twice for Reading who progressed with a four two success at League Two Plymouth Argyle. Conor Coventry was an 82nd minute substitute for West Ham United who defeated League Two Newport County by two goals to nil at Rodney Parade. Mark O’Brien and Padraig Amond both started for the vanquished hosts. Adam Idah started for Norwich City in their one nil defeat at League Two Crawley Town.