Late goals from brothers Shola and Sammy Ameobi gave Newcastle United a 2-0 win over Morecambe as the Premier League team labored to reach the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday.
Shola broke the deadlock in the 84th minute with a deflected shot from 20m after coming off the bench and Sammy sealed Newcastle’s victory in injury-time from close range.
Morecambe, who play in the fourth tier of English soccer, created several chances as Padraig Amond saw his efforts twice denied.
“This was a tough, tough game, make no mistake. We were really under the cosh with the power of that team,” Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said. “They’re a very physical side, a big, big side, and they had a couple of good chances.”
All the Premier League clubs playing on Wednesday advanced to the third round, with last year’s runners-up Cardiff City defeating Accrington Stanleyn 2-0, Aston Villa beating Rotherham United 3-0 and Everton seeing off Stevenage 2-1 thanks to Marouane Fellaini’s extra-time goal.
“That could have been a potential banana skin tonight if we hadn’t gone out and been professional,” Cardiff boss Malky Mackay said.
Stoke City progressed with a 3-1 victory against Walsall.
Luke Freeman put Stevenage ahead in the 36th minute and Gerard Deulofeu leveled just before half-time. Playing without England fullback Leighton Baines, Everton could have faced an early exit, but substitute Greg Tansey missed a good chance in the last minute.
Nottingham Forest also advanced 2-1 after extra-time against Millwall, with Jamaal Lascelles heading home the winner, while Watford beat Bournemouth 2-0.
The third-round draw produced a marquee fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool, to be played on Sept. 24 or Sept. 25. The game could see the return from suspension of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who was banned for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season.
Other all-Premier League matches are: Aston Villa hosting Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal at West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United playing Cardiff City and Everton facing Fulham. Last season’s winners Swansea City will start the defense of their title against Birmingham and there will be a repeat of this year’s FA Cup final, with holders Wigan Athletic traveling to Manchester City.
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