EFL Cup: Richards, Holmes advance, Slonina suffers elimination

09/17/2024 05:16 PM

The EFL Cup third round got underway on Tuesday with several American players taking part in the action.

Chris Richards and Crystal Palace booked their place into the fourth round after defeating QPR 2-1 in a London Derby at Loftus Road Stadium. Richards logged 90 minutes in defense as the Eagles scored once in each half.

Eddie Nketiah scored his first goal for the Eagles after 16 minutes before Sam Field tied the match for QPR nine minutes into the second half. However, Oliver Glasner’s squad would have the final say as Eberechi Eze scored the decisive goal against his former club.

Richards played on the right side of a back-three and proceeded to win four duels, make two interceptions, and five recoveries.

Both clubs will resume their league schedules this coming weekend.

Gabriel Slonina, Barnsley battered by Manchester United

League One side Barnsley hoped to pull a major shock at Old Trafford on Tuesday but instead ended up on the receiving end of a pasting.

Gabriel Slonina retained his starting spot in Darrell Clarke’s squad, but Barnsley suffered a 7-0 loss to Manchester United. Slonina bundled over Red Devils winger Antony in the first half, watching as the Brazilian scored from the spot to extend the hosts lead at the time to 2-0.

Marcus Rashford, who opened the scoring, finished as one of three players with a brace on the night. Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen also registered two goals apiece in the lopsided scoreline.

Fellow American Donovan Pines was not part of the squad after suffering a concussion in Barnsley’s 3-0 league defeat to Stevenage last Saturday.

Duane Holmes, Preston outlast Fulham in penalty kicks

Duane Holmes and Preston North End pulled an upset on Tuesday after eliminating Premier League visitors Fulham at Deepdale.

Holmes started and played 82 minutes as Paul Heckingbottom’s squad defeated the Cottagers 16-15 in penalty kicks. The two teams were level after 90 minutes Ryan Ledson’s opener for Preston was cancelled out by Reiss Nelson’s second-half equalizer.

Both teams were perfect through eight rounds before Jorge Cuenca was denied in the ninth round. However, Kaine Kesler-Hayden was also rejected of playing the hero for Preston on the ensuing spot kick.

Timothy Castagne skied his penalty kick effort, allowing Ledson to deliver the winning effort for the EFL Championship hosts.

USMNT left back Antonee Robinson did not dress for Marco Silva’s squad.

Preston resumes Championship play on Sunday vs. Blackburn Rovers while Fulham hosts Newcastle United in EPL action a day prior.

Lynden Gooch (Injured) did not feature in Stoke City’s 2-1 penalty shootout win over Fleetwood Town. The teams were level 1-1 after 90 minutes.