Records were rewritten when Southampton netted the biggest ever away win in the Hampshire Club’s 135-year existence against Newport County at Rodney Parade in Round Two of the Carabao Cup.
The Premier League side sunk Newport, who have built up a reputation as cup competition giant-killers of late, 8-0 on home soil, with Mohamed Elyounoussi completing his hat-trick in added time and Armando Broja impressing on his debut, making the scoresheet twice.
Nathan Redmond, Kyle Walker-Peters and Nathan Tella also played their part in the historic triumph, firing the Saints into Round Three.
Top-flight heavyweights Arsenal cruised to a 6-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, with hat-tricks galore as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang chalked up a treble for the Gunners, sealing the Baggies’ Carabao Cup fate.
Between Aston Villa and Norwich City, the two teams put a dozen goals past EFL opposition Barrow and Bournemouth respectively between them.
Youngster Cameron Archer shone on the big stage as the 19-year-old bagged a hat-trick to mark his first senior start for the Club, repaying Dean Smith’s faith, whilst Anwar El Ghazi and Frédéric Guilbert got in on the act in a 6-0 victory for Villa over League Two side Barrow.
Meanwhile, the Canaries dispatched Bournemouth with ease as Josh Sargent also found the back of the net twice on his full debut for Norwich.
On derby day in Greater Manchester, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers took their Round Two tie to penalties.
With a sold-out away crowd of 4,662 Bolton supporters in attendance, the Latics stood resolute and refused to bow to the pressure as Wigan progressed to Round Three. Nathan Delfouneso spurned the final spot-kick, with Jamie Jones – who also slotted away his own penalty – the hero of the night.
Preston North End’s short journey to Morecambe was a worthwhile one as the Championship team ousted the Shrimps from the competition. Preston fashioned a 2-0 lead before Morecambe clawed their way back into the tie at 2-2, as League One’s leading marksman Cole Stockton added to his tally.
However, Ryan Ledson and Sepp van den Berg restored the Lilywhites’ two-goal advantage as the tie finished 4-2 to Preston.
Leeds United ran out 3-0 winners against Crewe Alexandra in their first Carabao Cup encounter with the League One Club. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Harrison were on target as the West Yorkshire outfit booked their place in Round Three.
Swansea City’s summer signing Morgan Whittaker took home the match ball as the Swans overturned Plymouth Argyle 4-1, and it wouldn’t be the Carabao Cup without some late drama, courtesy of Aiden O’Brien who sealed his hat-trick for Sunderland in injury time against Blackpool in a 3-2 victory for the Black Cats.
Sheffield United secured their first win of the season against Derby County in the Cup, coming from behind after Louie Sibley opened the scoring for the Rams on the stroke of half time.
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers sailed through to Round Three, overcoming Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening, Watford saw off Crystal Palace in Round Two, and Doncaster Rovers exited the Cup at the hands of Stoke City.