Hernandez rescues United

Javier Hernandez strikes winner as holders Manchester United book their place in Carling Cup quarter-finals.

LONDON: Javier Hernandez struck a winner as holders Manchester United booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory over Wolves.

Hernandez rode to the Red Devils’ rescue once more after coming on as a substitute nine minutes from time as he scored the winner in the 90th minute.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson lavished praise on Hernandez after a victory which keeps the English giants on course for a third successive Carling Cup. “We tend to build up heroes very quickly here but the boy’s justifying the praise at the moment,” said Ferguson. “He’s such a great professional.”

Northampton’s dreams shattered

In other fourth round matches, Northampton’s dreams of a place in the quarter-finals ended in a 3-1 defeat by Ipswich at Portman Road. Northampton looked set to extend their giant-killing run when Liam Davis fired the Cobblers into the lead in the 16th minute. But Roy Keane’s side got back on level terms ten minutes later through Carlos Edwards and took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Damien Delaney before Tamas Priskin completed the scoring with a late header.

Bromwich whiz to victory

West Bromwich Albion booked their place in the last-eight with a 4-1 victory at Leicester, two goals from Simon Cox and one each from Somen Tchoyi and Steven Reid emphasising the gulf in class between the two sides.

Blues beet Bees

At St Andrews, Birmingham had veteran striker Kevin Phillips to thank as they squeezed through 4-3 on penalties against Brentford after the sides finished deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time.

Meanwhile at the DW Stadium, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez saw the Latics ease into the last-eight with a 2-0 victory over his previous employers Swansea.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2010.