Six things you might have missed from the League Cup second round

After an enthralling start to the season, the domestic League Cup has returned for Premier League clubs and continues for clubs across the football league.

Those participating in European football will not enter the competition until the third round, but for the remaining top-flight clubs, they have had travel up and down the country to pit their wits against some stern football league opposition.

There were the obligatory upsets with Huddersfield Town packing their bags on the night, as well as a few shaky encounters, and a handful of penalty shoot-outs.

So, with the first wave of League Cup second round fixtures reaching their conclusive finishes, what six things might you have missed?

1. The wait is finally over for Berahino

Prior to tonight, it had been an incredible 913 days since Saido Berahino last netted a goal in any competition, and that came against Crystal Palace during his playing days for West Bromwich Albion in February 2016.

His career has been a massive fall from grace having initially emerged as a talented tyro during his formative years at the Hawthorns, but after various issues on and off the pitch, the 25-year-old has so far been unable to realise his potential.

Saido Berahino has scored his first goal in any competition for 913 days.

Ending his streak of 48 games and 1996 minutes without a goal pic.twitter.com/Khjo5OTXNr

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 28, 2018

A move to Stoke City in 2016 has failed to prevent his career spiralling out of control, and his stock has significantly plummeted in recent times, though that may be about to change after tonight.

Against Premier League opposition in Huddersfield Town, Berahino broke the deadlock and put the Potters a goal to the good shortly after the restart. He will be hoping to build on this and help Gary Rowett’s men bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking this term.

2. Neal Ardley inspired ‘Crazy Gang’ spirit

Once a prominent member of the infamous Wimbledon side of the 1990s, Ardley played 245 first-team appearances between 1991 and 2002, and is now manager of the reincarnated AFC Wimbledon, and has been since 2012, overseeing the club’s ascent up the football ladder and into League One.

Tonight’s meeting between the Dons and West Ham United at the Kingsmeadow was a throwback for Ardley having been involved in a number of volatile encounters between the two clubs, and his once infamous ‘Crazy Gang’ passion was transmitted to his players tonight as they showed heart and grit against the Hammers.

Having lead through an early goal, the Dons held firm until half-time despite going a goal down. However, Manuel Pellegrini’s men would eventually find a root back into the match thanks to a long-range Issa Diop effort, a tap-in from Angelo Ogbonna and a neat finish from Javier Hernandez.

In truth, West Ham were firm favourites to win the match, by my word did the Dons make them work for it. Despite having 10-men for the majority of the match, Ardley’s men demonstrated a determination emblematic of his playing days.

3. Steve McClaren setting sights on League Cup conquest?

The ‘Wally with the Brolly’ has so far endured a detrimental start to life as QPR manager with the west London club sitting in the Championship’s relegation zone. His side have won just once and have conceded the most goals in the division with 13.

Despite this, the Hoops are enjoying relative success in the League Cup, with McClaren’s side scoring more goals in the two matches they have played in this competition than in the four matches they have contested in the Championship.

Tonight, they took on Bristol Rovers and fired three past the Pirates courtesy of goals from Bright Osayi-Samuel, Pawel Wszolek and Matt Smith, while in the previous round, McClaren’s men also fired two past League One leaders Peterborough.

A fairytale run in the competition would alleviate the growing frustration that has presided over Loftus Road in recent seasons, but with the club enduring a precarious start to life under the guidance of the former England manager, perhaps the focus should be firmly on the Championship.

4. Kelechi Iheanacho’s cup run goes on

Iheanacho is yet to set the King Power Stadium alight in the Premier League since relocating from Manchester City last summer, but in cup competitions the Nigerian international continues to flourish.

His goal against Fleetwood Town tonight was his first of the season, and it now means that only Kevin De Bruyne has been involved in more goals – of any player – in the League Cup than Iheanacho since the Leicester striker made his debut three seasons ago.

The 21-year-old has now been involved in seven goals since his aforementioned debut in the competition, scoring four and assisting his team-mates on three occasions.

Manager Claude Puel will be hoping the striker can now transmit that form over to the Premier League, but as things stand, the Nigeria international has six cup goals to his Foxes tally (including the FA Cup) and only three league goals.

5. Marcelo Bielsa finally tastes defeat

Before tonight’s result, ‘El Loco’ had inspired his Leeds side to five victories from their opening six matches, masterminding the club’s ascent to the summit of the Championship, and maximising the talents of the players at his disposal.

However, against Preston in tonight’s encounter, the revered Argentine tactician suffered his first taste of defeat as manager of the West Yorkshire club, watching on the sidelines as his side fired a blank against Alex Neil’s men.

The Lilywhites raced into a 1-0 lead after Daniel Johnson converted a spot-kick with only two minutes on the clock, though they would then be reduced to 10 men after Ryan Ledson received a straight red for a dangerous lunge on Pearce.

Despite their disadvantage, Preston pressed on and doubled their lead through Brandon Barker, and the club would hold on to secure the victory. Bielsa is a meticulously prepared scholar of the game, and will now look to bounce back when Leeds take on second-placed Middlesbrough this weekend.

6. Pellegrini off the mark

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has breathed a huge sigh of relief this evening after his side came dangerously close to a humiliating exit at the hands of League One opposition.

The Chilean tactician has so far endured a difficult start to life as manager of the east London club, with the Hammers suffering three consecutive defeats in the Premier League, though tonight, they edged past a resolute AFC Wimbledon side.

It was a tentative affair despite the Dons playing the majority of the match with 10 men; newcomer Issa Diop redeemed himself after his own-goal on the weekend by firing home a devastating long-range goal to bring the Hammers back into the match.

Angelo Ogbonna then netted the decisive goal on the night, meaning that the centre-back has now scored three League Cup goals since the beginning of last season, which is the most of any West Ham player since that date.

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