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- West Ham United fell from competition after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen struck twice in under two minutes (82’ and 84’) to overturn the match in favor of Wolves, despite West Ham leading earlier through Lucas Paquetá’s header in the 63rd minute. Graham Potter’s side now faces mounting pressure after successive poor results.
- Leeds United were eliminated at Hillsborough by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. The game ended 1-1 in regular time, but Leeds failed to convert in the shootout, going down 3-0 on penalties. Loaned US goalkeeper Ethan Horvath emerged as the hero for Wednesday after saving two penalties on his debut.
- Sunderland suffered a similar fate, losing to League One outfit Huddersfield Town. After a 1-1 draw, Sunderland were edged out 6-5 in the penalty shootout.
Why It Matters
These outcomes represent significant upsets for three Premier League clubs. Leeds and Sunderland both fell to lower-league opponents via penalties, underlining the unpredictability and drama of cup football. West Ham’s late collapse intensifies scrutiny on manager Graham Potter amid a troubling run of form. The League Cup’s early rounds continue to serve as a stage for both emerging heroes and intense managerial pressure.
