It was not a good day for Premier League teams - especially those from London - in the Capital One Cup.
[ FOLLOW: All of PST’s PL coverage ]
With six total Premier League sides in action today, only two progressed through to the quarterfinals, and just one of them had a lead at the end of 90 minutes. However, three of the matches went to penalties for an extra fun finish.
The worst loss of the day fell to Arsenal, who were embarrassed 3-0 by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. Chelsea fell to Stoke City on penalties when Jack Butland saved Eden Hazard’s spot kick, while Everton eliminated Norwich City, and in-form Leicester City were beaten by a strong Hull City side.
To make matters worse for the London clubs, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both limped off for the Gunners at Hillsborough, while Chelsea striker Diego Costa was forced off before halftime with what appeared to be a rib or chest injury.
[ MORE: Wednesday’s League Cup roundup & QF draw results ]
While Arsenal’s loss will go down as one of the bigger upsets in cup history, Chelsea’s was just as painful for the opposite reason. Having equalized through Costa’s replacement Loic Remy in stoppage time and up a man after Phil Bardsley was sent off, they could not find an equalizer and Hazard produced the only miss of the shootout.
Everton found themselves behind to Premier League new-boys Norwich when Sebastian Bassong scored six minutes after halftime, but Leon Osman equalized just beyond the hour mark. No one could find another breakthrough, and Nathan Redmond’s eventual penalty miss sealed Norwich’s fate, with the Toffees going through.
Finally, a 0-0 game after 90 minutes saw a pair of extra-time goals as Leicester City and Hull City fought hard. The home side found the opener in extra-time during first-half stoppage as Abel Hernandez scored, but the Foxes answered back through Riyad Mahrez to quiet the KC Stadium. But it wasn’t quiet for long, as Hull went through on penalties as David Meyler sent the Championship side into the quarterfinals.
FINAL
Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Arsenal
Stoke City 1 (5)-(4) 1 Chelsea
Everton 1 (4)-(3) 1 Norwich City
Hull City 1 (5)-(4) 1 Leicester City