Liverpool 2 - 2 Northampton
Abdul Osman plants his penalty past Brad Jones to secure the dramatic victory
Liverpool made a shock Carling Cup exit in the third round as League Two's Northampton won the penalty shoot-out.
With the sides locked at 2-2 after extra-time, Abdul Osman kept his cool to slot in the decisive spot-kick.
Milan Jovanovic fired in Liverpool's opener but Billy McKay equalised and Michael Jacobs tapped in to give the Cobblers a worthy lead in extra-time.
David Ngog's late header set up the late drama and as the Reds struggled in the rain, Osman sealed a memorable win.
It was another night of Carling Cup drama for Merseyside football following Everton's surprise exit at Brentford 24 hours before Northampton's visit to Liverpool.
Roy Hodgson opted to give run-outs for a number of fringe players on the back of their weekend defeat by Manchester United, but they started brightly enough as Jovanovic, a summer free transfer from Standard Liege, fired in his first goal for the club after nine minutes.
The Reds were wasteful in front of goal though and would have been wary of their opponents going into the interval with such a slender lead.
And so it proved, as Kevin Thornton out-jumped Sotirios Kyrgiakos to nod over Liam Davis' looping cross for McKay to crash in the equaliser from close range.
With the Anfield faithful sounding increasingly agitated, their team rarely looked capable of grabbing a winner as the visitors held firm at the back to take the match into extra-time.
Northampton, currently 17th in League Two, were the ones dreaming of a fourth-round spot in the Carling Cup as Jacobs poked in after Martin Kelly had blocked Kevin Thornton's shot.
With Kyrgiakos and Kelly both wasteful in the closing stages, it was left for striker Ngog, with four minutes left on the clock, who at last provided the spark to reignite Liverpool's battles.
Substitute Jonjo Shelvey swung in his corner for Ngog to nod in and provide some relief to Hodgson and the home supporters as both teams had to prepare for the penalty shoot-out to settle the tie.
As the rain lashed down, Northampton's Steve Guinan and Liverpool's Ngog missed their spot-kicks as the players struggled with the tension and conditions.
But when 19-year-old substitute Nathan Eccleston hit the crossbar with Liverpool's fourth effort, it was left for Osman to slot home and grab the headlines.
Live text and stats
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Carling Cup
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 2-2 | Northampton | FT |
| (HT 1-0)Northampton win 4-2 on penalties | |||
|
| ||
Liverpool
- 01 Jones
- 05 Agger
- 16 Kyrgiakos
- 22 Wilson
- 34 Kelly
- 21 Lucas
- 26 Spearing
- 12 Pacheco (Ince 105+1)
- 14 Jovanovic (Eccleston 91)
- 19 Babel (Shelvey 100)
- 24 Ngog
Substitutes
Northampton
- 01 Dunn
- 02 Rodgersyellow card (Herbert 80)
- 14 Johnson (Wedderburn 87)
- 25 Tozer
- 04 Thorntonyellow card
- 07 Gilligan
- 08 Osman
- 11 Holt
- 17 Jacobs
- 23 Davisyellow card
- 16 McKay (Guinan 83)
Substitutes
- 13 Walker,
- 12 Wedderburn,
- 21 Slowe,
- 27 Kaziboni,
- 09 Guinan,
- 15 Herbert,
- 20 Harris
Ref: TaylorAtt: 22,577
- Final Result
- 125:18Abdul Osman scores a penalty. Liverpool 2-4 Northampton on penalties.
- 124:30Penalty missed by Nathan Eccleston.
- 124:04Michael Jacobs scores a penalty. Liverpool 2-3 Northampton on penalties.
- 123:27Penalty scored by Daniel Agger. Liverpool 2-2 Northampton on penalties.
- 122:54Liam Davis scores a penalty. Liverpool 1-2 Northampton on penalties.
- 122:39Jonjo Shelvey scores a penalty. Liverpool 1-1 Northampton on penalties.
- 122:00Kevin Thornton scores a penalty. Liverpool 0-1 Northampton on penalties.
- 121:20Penalty missed by David Ngog.
- Penalty Shoot-out
- 120:01The first player steps forward to start the penalty shoot-out.
- 120:01Spot kick missed by Steve Guinan.
- Extra Time Complete
- 120:00+1:32The match is going to penalties.
- 120:00+0:54Daniel Agger delivers the ball.
- 119:03Sotirios Kyrgiakos fouled by Ben Tozer, the ref awards a free kick. Jonjo Shelvey crosses the ball, Sotirios Kyrgiakos takes a shot. Liam Davis manages to make a clearance. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jonjo Shelvey, Ryan Gilligan makes a clearance.
- 117:58Sotirios Kyrgiakos is ruled offside. Chris Dunn takes the indirect free kick.
- 115:44The assist for the goal came from Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
- 115:44 GOAL - David NgogLiverpool 2 - 2 NorthamptonDavid Ngog scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Liverpool 2-2 Northampton.
- Correction - 114:43Corner taken by Jonjo Shelvey played to the near post,
- 114:43Jonjo Shelvey takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.
- 113:27Effort from just outside the area by Jay Spearing goes over the target.
- 112:33Martin Kelly produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.
- 111:23Leiva Lucas concedes a free kick for a foul on Nathaniel Wedderburn. Ben Tozer takes the direct free kick.
- 110:18Shot from just outside the penalty box by Leiva Lucas misses to the left of the target.
- 108:04Sotirios Kyrgiakos gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nathaniel Wedderburn. Ben Tozer takes the direct free kick.
- 107:16The ball is delivered by Nathan Eccleston.
- 106:39The ball is swung over by Jonjo Shelvey, Ryan Gilligan makes a clearance.
- 106:19Jonjo Shelvey takes a short corner.
- Extra Time Started
- 105:01The match restarts for the second half of extra time.
- Extra Time Half Time
- 105:00+0:26 Substitution(Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Thomas Ince coming on for Daniel Pacheco.
- 105:00+0:02A cross is delivered by Jonjo Shelvey, Close range header by Sotirios Kyrgiakos goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 100:10Foul by Steve Guinan on Sotirios Kyrgiakos, free kick awarded. Sotirios Kyrgiakos takes the free kick.
- 99:04 Substitution(Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Jonjo Shelvey coming on for Ryan Babel.
- 98:00Courtney Herbert provided the assist for the goal.
- 98:00 GOAL - Michael JacobsLiverpool 1 - 2 NorthamptonMichael Jacobs gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in to the top right corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-2 Northampton.
- 92:08Nathan Eccleston has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal.
- 90:25Nathan Eccleston delivers the ball, clearance made by Liam Davis.
- Extra Time Started
- 90:01 Substitution(Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Nathan Eccleston coming on for Milan Jovanovic.
- Full Time
- 90:00+3:23The whistle goes for the end of normal time.
- 90:00+1:20Daniel Pacheco has an effort at goal from outside the area which misses left.
- 89:52Jay Spearing produces a cross.
- 89:27Daniel Pacheco takes the inswinging corner, save made by Chris Dunn.
- 89:18Danny Wilson delivers the ball, blocked by Courtney Herbert.
- 86:37Free kick crossed by Kevin Thornton, clearance made by Martin Kelly.
- 86:37 Substitution(Northampton) makes a substitution, with Nathaniel Wedderburn coming on for John Johnson.
- 86:37Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Liam Davis by Martin Kelly.
- Correction - 85:01The ball is swung over by Daniel Pacheco, Ryan Gilligan makes a clearance.
- 85:01The ball is swung over by Daniel Pacheco, Kevin Thornton makes a clearance.
- 84:30Corner from the left by-line taken by Daniel Pacheco, Ben Tozer makes a clearance.
- 83:45Corner from the right by-line taken by Kevin Thornton, save made by Brad Jones.
- 83:39Centre by Courtney Herbert, clearance by Daniel Agger.
- 82:18 SubstitutionSteve Guinan on for Billy Mckay.
- 81:19Outswinging corner taken by Daniel Pacheco from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Billy Mckay.
- 80:23Daniel Pacheco crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Andrew Holt.
- 80:23 BookingLiam Davis is given a yellow card.
- 80:17Ryan Babel fouled by Liam Davis, the ref awards a free kick.
- 79:40 SubstitutionCourtney Herbert is brought on as a substitute for Paul Rodgers.
- 79:28Shot from outside the box by Michael Jacobs goes wide right of the target.
- 75:07Daniel Pacheco produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.
- 74:20Kevin Thornton delivers the ball, Daniel Agger makes a clearance.
- 73:58Short corner taken by Michael Jacobs from the left by-line.
- 70:11Unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Abdul Osman results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Milan Jovanovic.
- 69:35The ball is delivered by David Ngog.
- 69:08Ryan Babel fouled by Andrew Holt, the ref awards a free kick. Sotirios Kyrgiakos takes the direct free kick.
- 67:38Michael Jacobs crosses the ball, Daniel Agger makes a clearance.
- 67:32The ball is sent over by Ryan Gilligan, Sotirios Kyrgiakos makes a clearance.
- 66:26Long range effort by Ryan Gilligan goes wide right of the target.
- 65:21Free kick taken by Daniel Agger.
- 65:21 BookingPaul Rodgers booked for unsporting behaviour.
- 65:12Milan Jovanovic fouled by Paul Rodgers, the ref awards a free kick.
- 65:02Corner taken by Michael Jacobs played to the near post, Milan Jovanovic makes a clearance.
- 61:31Kevin Thornton takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
- 61:08Short corner worked by Kevin Thornton.
- 59:59Strike comes in from Kevin Thornton from the free kick.
- 59:59 BookingThe referee shows Kevin Thornton a yellow card for dissent.
- 59:29Jay Spearing handles the ball and concedes a free kick.
- 59:00Danny Wilson challenges Paul Rodgers unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kevin Thornton restarts play with the free kick.
- 57:59Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Martin Kelly goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 55:36Kevin Thornton provided the assist for the goal.
- 55:36 GOAL - Billy MckayLiverpool 1 - 1 NorthamptonBilly Mckay finds the net with a goal from close range high into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 1-1 Northampton.
- 55:08Corner taken by Kevin Thornton from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Daniel Pacheco.
- 52:06Handball by Andrew Holt. Daniel Pacheco has an effort direct from the free kick.
- 48:54The ball is sent over by Ryan Babel, Ben Tozer makes a clearance.
- 46:39Martin Kelly delivers the ball, clearance by Ben Tozer.
- 45:01The second half begins.
- Half Time
- 45:00+1:05It is the end of the first-half.
- 44:25Free kick awarded for a foul by David Ngog on Abdul Osman. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Liam Davis, Sotirios Kyrgiakos manages to make a clearance.
- 44:08Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Rodgers by Milan Jovanovic. Free kick taken by Ryan Gilligan.
- 42:56David Ngog produces a cross, Ben Tozer manages to make a clearance.
- 42:34Free kick awarded for a foul by Billy Mckay on Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Martin Kelly takes the direct free kick.
- 40:03Liam Davis fouled by Jay Spearing, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Dunn restarts play with the free kick.
- 39:09Daniel Pacheco gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Liam Davis. Andrew Holt restarts play with the free kick.
- 37:09The assistant referee flags for offside against Ryan Babel. Indirect free kick taken by Chris Dunn.
- 36:31Ryan Gilligan has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
- 35:48Danny Wilson challenges Paul Rodgers unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kevin Thornton from right wing, Danny Wilson makes a clearance.
- 31:08Effort from long distance by Michael Jacobs goes wide right of the goal.
- 28:25Michael Jacobs produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right.
- 26:44Kevin Thornton produces a left-footed shot from outside the box and misses left.
- 26:16Leiva Lucas takes a shot. Save by Chris Dunn.
- 25:09John Johnson sends in a cross, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Michael Jacobs goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
- 23:44Unfair challenge on John Johnson by David Ngog results in a free kick. Chris Dunn takes the free kick.
- 22:01David Ngog sends in a cross, clearance by John Johnson.
- 20:53Ryan Babel is ruled offside. Chris Dunn takes the indirect free kick.
- 20:18Leiva Lucas has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the target.
- 19:05Unfair challenge on Daniel Pacheco by John Johnson results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Daniel Pacheco, Ryan Gilligan makes a clearance.
- 18:24Unfair challenge on Milan Jovanovic by Ryan Gilligan results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Danny Wilson.
- 17:27Milan Jovanovic delivers the ball, Liam Davis makes a clearance.
- 11:24Liam Davis sends in a cross, comfortable save by Brad Jones.
- 10:42Kevin Thornton takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Martin Kelly.
- 8:54Kevin Thornton takes a shot. Save made by Brad Jones.
- 8:06Daniel Agger provided the assist for the goal.
- 8:06 GOAL - Milan JovanovicLiverpool 1 - 0 NorthamptonMilan Jovanovic scores a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 Northampton.
- 3:42Martin Kelly gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Jacobs. Ryan Gilligan restarts play with the free kick.
- 2:10Jay Spearing handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Liam Davis restarts play with the free kick.
- 2:00The ball is crossed by David Ngog, clearance made by Andrew Holt.
- 1:00Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Rodgers on Danny Wilson. Direct free kick taken by Danny Wilson.
- 0:00The referee gets the game started.
