Holders United crash out at West Ham

Holders Manchester United were knocked out of the English League Cup after the Premier League leaders suffered a shock 4-0 loss away to bottom of the table West Ham at a snowy Upton Park last night.

United, who’ve won the trophy for the past two seasons, found themselves 2-0 down before half-time after Jonathan Spector struck twice.

Spector opened the scoring after 16 minutes when Obinna supplied an exquisite chip that the American defender headed into the net.

United were stunned and on 37 minutes the hapless Fabio was involved as his attempted block of Obinna’s shot instead fell into the path of Spector who blasted home.

After the break United were pouring forward, only to be halted in their tracks in the 55th minute when they were caught on the break.

The superb Obinna was the supplier with his inch-perfect cross met by Cole, who headed the ball home.

There was still more to come from West Ham, however, as little over 10 minutes later Cole slammed home his second.

In yesterday’s other quarter-final, Arsenal beat Wigan 2-0 across London at the Emirates Stadium thanks to an Antolin Alcaraz own-goal and a second-half effort from Nicklas Bendtner.

Today’s last eight clashes see a ‘Second City’ derby between Premier League pair Birmingham and Aston Villa while second-tier Ipswich are at home to top-flight West Bromwich Albion.