The Premier League clubs did their duty in the second round of the League Cup on Tuesday evening. Leicester, Brighton, Everton, Fulham and Crystal Palace all progressed to the next round
Even in England, the cup has its own laws, but the top five Premier League clubs have made it through to the second round of the League Cup. Leicester, Brighton, Everton, Fulham and Crystal Palace all went through without conceding a goal.
From a German perspective, two duels were particularly interesting: Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton welcomed third-division side Crawley Town and Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace also played at home against second-division side Norwich City. It took Brighton until the 31st minute to live up to their role as favorites. In the end, however, it was an unchallenged 4:0 victory and thus the third win in the third competitive game for the new coach
Kamada and Mateta secure victory for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace took the lead much earlier and the first goal was a co-production of two old acquaintances from the Bundesliga: after two minutes, ex-Frankfurt player Daichi Kamada scored after an assist from ex-Mainzer Jean-Philippe Mateta. It was also Kamada and Mateta who made the fans at Selhurst Park cheer when they made it 2-0. This time in reversed roles, Kamada set up Mateta in the 57th minute. But that was not enough for the Frenchman. In the 68th minute, he scored a brace after an assist from Eze. Shortly before the end, another goal was actually scored without any ex-Bundesliga involvement: Eze scored the 4:0 final score.
Another ex-Bundesliga player was on the pitch for Everton FC. The Toffees won 3-0 against fourth-division side Doncaster Rovers, with former Frankfurt player Jesper Lindström playing 67 minutes.
Leicester City won their second round match 4-0, as did Brighton and Crystal Palace, against Tranmere Rovers from the fourth division. Particularly pleasing for coach Steve Cooper: new signing Jordan Ayew fitted into the team superbly and contributed a goal and an assist.
The only Premier League team that had to play away on Tuesday was Fulham FC. The Cottagers won 2:0 at third division side Birmingham City
