Chelsea edge past Villa on penalties, Man Utd out of League Cup

September 22, 2021 Chelsea's Reece James celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out Action Images via Reuters

A much-changed Chelsea side crept into the fourth round of the League Cup as they beat Aston Villa 4-3 on penalties after the Stamford Bridge clash ended 1-1 on Wednesday.

Manchester United crashed out though as West Ham United avenged a weekend loss in the Premier League to claim a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford with Manuel Lanzini scoring early.

September 22, 2021 Aston Villa players during the penalty shoot-out Action Images via Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur surrendered an early 2-0 lead at Wolverhampton Wanderers but eventually won 3-2 on penalties as manager Nuno Espirito Santo claimed his second win of the season against his former club.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel made 10 changes to his starting lineup and German striker Timo Werner took his opportunity to give his side the lead in the 54th minute as he headed a Reece James cross past Villa keeper Jed Steer.

It was Werner's first goal of the season and he wasted another chance to make it 2-0 before Villa hit back through youngster Cameron Archer's header to send the tie into the penalty shootout.

Ben Chilwell struck the bar when he could have won it for Chelsea but James made no mistake as his spot kick found the top corner of the net.

September 22, 2021 Manchester United's Victor Lindelof in action with West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen Action Images via Reuters

Arsenal cruised into the fourth round with a 3-0 home win against third-tier AFC Wimbledon while Leicester City put aside their stuttering league form to win 2-0 away at Millwall.

Brighton and Hove Albion's impressive start to the season continued as they cruised past Swansea City 2-0.