Hargreaves a hit on City debut

OWEN HARGREAVES enjoyed a sensational Manchester City debut as he opened the scoring in his side’s 2-0 Carling Cup triumph over Birmingham at the Etihad Stadium.

Released by Manchester United in the summer after three injury-ravaged seasons, the midfielder drove home a superb 25-yard shot after 18 minutes and was deservedly named man of the match.

Mario Balotelli added a second before the break to secure City’s passage into the last 16 and end the holders’ interest in a much-derided competition that will never be dismissed by Hargreaves, as long as the former Bayern Munich man draws breath.

The midfielder summed up his feelings by tweeting: “What a feeling to be on the scoreboard rather than the admissions board.’’

Although it was anticipated Hargreaves would be replaced at the break, the former England man re-appeared and lasted for another 12 minutes before departing to a standing ovation.

It was a good night all round for City as Kolo Toure also made his comeback after serving a six-month ban for a failed drugs test.

Elsewhere, Craig Bellamy’s inspired performance helped Liverpool to a 2-1 victory as they condemned Brighton to their first competitive defeat at the Amex Stadium.

The 32-year-old flourished on his second full debut for the club, having rejoined the Reds from Manchester City in the summer.

Bellamy broke the deadlock in the seventh minute with a neat finish from an awkward angle and performed with aplomb throughout, including a superb 30-yard free-kick that rattled the crossbar.

Brighton improved after the break and Ashley Barnes scored a late penalty, although Dirk Kuyt had already put the tie out of reach for the Reds, who also saw talisman Steven Gerrard make his first appearance since March, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute.

Dalglish admitted he still did not want to take too many risks with his skipper.

“If it had been four or five goals we’d have maybe given him a bit longer,” Dalglish said. “We’ll say again what we’ve said many times before, we’ll manage Steven as well as we’ve managed everyone else and we’ll look forward to that continuing.’’

Chelsea’s penalty shootout curse ended in dramatic fashion as they beat Fulham to reach the fourth round.

Pajtim Kasami hit the crossbar with a 49th-minute spot-kick, the concession of which saw Chelsea defender Alex dismissed. Bryan Ruiz then hit the bar in the subsequent shootout, with TV replays inconclusive as to whether the ball had crossed the line.

Chelsea’s win improved their miserable record of seven penalty shootout defeats from their previous eight and gave manager Andre Villas-Boas another chance to blood his youngsters in the next round.

Everton captain Phil Neville put the disappointment of losing his first-team place behind him to score the goal which put his side into the hat for the draw for next round.

The 33-year-old had watched the last two matches as an unused substitute but when recalled for the visit of West Brom the defender was the unlikely match-winner.

Various attacking combinations had failed to find a breakthrough after Chris Brunt’s penalty midway through the second half had given the visitors the lead.

But Marouane Fellaini gave Everton a lifeline they barely deserved with an unstoppable 89th-minute volley.

And Neville, who has fallen behind Tony Hibbert in the pecking order for right-back, showed his forwards how it should be done with a quality left-footed finish from outside the area in the first half of extra-time.

Meanwhile, Paul Quinn scored the decisive spot-kick as Cardiff progressed to the fourth round of the Carling Cup 7-6 on penalties against Leicester following a 2-2 draw.

Quinn, who had been nursing a groin injury for most of extra-time, slotted home the winner after Gelson Fernandes had missed for the Foxes.

Don Cowie had opened the scoring for Cardiff with a header, only for Steve Howard to poke home his first goal of the season to equalise.

Lloyd Dyer slammed in Leicester’s second before Rudy Gestede’s first goal for Cardiff forced extra-time.

Fernandes skied his penalty, allowing Quinn to win the match with the 14th spot-kick.

Elsewhere, Championship leaders Southampton beat League One side Preston 2-1 thanks to goals by Jos Hooiveld and Adam Lallana.

Hooiveld put the Saints in front with a header from close range before Adam Barton equalised for Preston in the 52nd minute.

Substitute Lallana sealed the win in the 66th minute with a stooped header.

In Scotland, Gary Hooper’s early goal sent Celtic on their way to a comfortable 2-0 win at Dingwall as they avoided another shock against Ross County and bounced back from Old Firm defeat.

Hooper netted from close range after a 14th-minute corner before Scott Boyd’s own goal early in the second half removed any doubt about the outcome of the Scottish Communities League Cup third-round tie.

Holders Rangers crashed out of the competition at the hands of Falkirk as hopes of a domestic treble this season were left in tatters.

Farid El Allagui grabbed a double for the Irn-Bru First Division side before Dorin Goian and Nikica Jelavic both netted for Rangers.

But Mark Millar had the final say with an injury-time winner as Falkirk booked their place in the fourth round.

Last night’s Serie A results: AC Milan 1 Udinese 1, Cesena 1 Lazio 2, Chievo 1 Napoli 0, Fiorentina 3 Parma 0, Genoa 3 Catania 0, Juventus 1 Bologna 1, Lecce 1 Atalanta 2, Palermo 3 Cagliari 2.

Last night’s La Liga results: Atletico Madrid 4 Sporting Gijon 0, Malaga 1 Athletic Bilbao 0, Racing Santander 0 Real Madrid 0, Rayo Vallecano 1 Levante 2, Valencia 2 Barcelona 2.