Discuss   |      Email   |      Print   |   Get latest news on your desktop

Manchester City's new billionaire owners got a harsh taste of reality Wednesday as the team were bundled out of the English League Cup by League One (third division) Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties.

The delayed second-round tie ended 2-2 after extra time before Brighton won the shoot-out 5-3 at the ramshackle Withdean Stadium on the Sussex coast.

In third round action, Chelsea cruised past Portsmouth, romping to a 4-0 victory at Fratton Park as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's [Images] unbeaten start continued in style.

High-flying Aston Villa were also on the end of a shock, losing 1-0 at home to Championship (second division) Queens Park Rangers. Holders Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a morale-boosting 2-1 victory at managerless Newcastle United.

Blackburn Rovers beat Everton 1-0 in an all-Premier League clash at Ewood Park and Wigan Athletic won 4-1 at Ipswich Town to book their place in the fourth round.

Manchester City's new Abu Dhabi owners have vowed to make the club a force in English football and a 6-0 Premier League win over Portsmouth Sunday increased the wave of optimism sweeping the club's long-suffering fans.

A much-changed side, without British-record signing Robinho, seemed on course for victory at Brighton but Glenn Murray's 89th-minute leveller sent the tie into extra time. Brighton went ahead through Joe Anyinsah before Stephen Ireland made it 2-2.

Frank Lampard [Images] was twice on target for Chelsea as Portsmouth suffered another thumping, following Sunday's hammering by City.

The England [Images] midfielder put Chelsea ahead from the penalty spot before Florent Malouda made it 2-0 at halftime. Lampard killed off Portsmouth just after the break and Salomon Kalou completed the rout.

New Russia [Images] striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scored his first goal for Tottenham at a less than half-full St James' Park as the Premier League's two bottom sides produced a tame tie.

Damion Stewart provided the night's big surprise when he headed QPR's winner in the second half at Villa Park.

Manchester United [Images], Liverpool and Arsenal [Images] all won their third-round ties Tuesday.