Arsenal young guns hit Sheffield for six

Arsène Wenger sent out a team with an average age of 19 but his young Arsenal FC side still claimed the outstanding result in the English League Cup on Tuesday night, defeating Sheffield United FC 6-0 in north London.

International class
Five of the Arsenal goals came from full internationals, with 20-year-old Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner scoring two in the first half, and 19-year-old Mexican Carlos Vela netting either side of half-time before completing his hat-trick late on. However, the youngest of the seven teenagers who started the third-round tie was also on target, with 16-year-old midfielder Luke Wilshere drilling in the Gunners' fifth.

Teenaged talent
It proved a quiet night for Poland goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański, the hosts' senior player at the age of 23, as Arsenal outplayed Sheffield United from English football's second tier, the Championship. Although Wenger's second string included other internationals in Switzerland's Johan Djourou and Alexandre Song of Cameroon, he could nonetheless be delighted by the contribution of teenagers such as Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs, Gavin Hoyte, Fran Mérida and Mark Randall.

Ronaldo goal
Tuesday's League Cup action was also notable for a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo on his first start of the season for Manchester United FC. Ronaldo headed United into a 25th-minute lead against Middlesbrough FC at Old Trafford, and although Adam Johnson equalised after the break, strikes from Ryan Giggs and Nani secured a 3-1 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. Liverpool FC owed their 2-1 win against third-tier Crewe Alexandra FC to a 58th-minute effort from Lucas Leiva. Daniel Agger's opener at Anfield had been cancelled out by Michael O'Connor. Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United FC were knocked out by Championship club Watford FC, losing 1-0 away. Roy Hodgson's Fulham FC suffered a similar fate at Burnley FC.