For some footballers at the highest level, the early rounds of the League Cup can represent something of a chore. This time last season, that might have been the case for Aaron Ramsdale. This year, though, a midweek trip to Brentford represented an enormous opportunity for the England goalkeeper.
Tomas Soucek scored the only goal for the Hammers.
Nicolas Jackson had double reason to celebrate as he won Chelseaâs goal of the month competition and sent his team into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Jackson broke Chelseaâs duck for September and his solitary strike was enough to see off Brighton, who squandered two superb chances gifted to them by Robert Sanchez, the clubâs former goalkeeper.