Fulham went goal-crazy at Craven Cottage last night to send Derby County and new boss Colin Todd crashing out of the English League Cup.

Jean Tigana's side finally showed their lethal attacking form of last season as they stunned Derby with four goals in a sensational, 25-minute second-half blitz to win 5-2 in this third-round tie.

Barry Hayles hauled Fulham back onto level terms after Craig Burley had given Derby a shock first-half lead, but Fabrizio Ravanelli put the visitors 2-1 up after 54 minutes.

Fulham then smashed four quick-fire goals, starting with a Sylvain Legwinski header and a John Collins free-kick, to put the home side ahead. A Louis Saha run and shot, followed by a Steed Malbranque penalty wrapped up an amazing 5-2 victory.

Todd, who stepped up from assistant boss after Jim Smith's exit on Monday, had to make do without Giorgi Kinkladze, who injured his knee on international duty with Georgia at the weekend.

Birmingham City were annihilated 6-0 by Manchester City at Maine Road. This latest loss heaped further pressure on beleaguered Birmingham boss Trevor Francis whose team has not won in its last six matches.

The player who inflicted most of the misery was City striker Darren Huckerby. Huckerby struck four timers wither side of the break, with Shaun Goater and Tresor Luntala getting the other two.

The sight of Mark Delaney being carried off on a stretcher with his neck in a brace overshadowed Aston Villa's 1-0 victory against Rerading.

And his team-mates were certainly made to work at the back against a lively Reading side which fought for the entire 90 minutes, but were undone by a goal from Dion Dublin in first-half stoppage time.

Kevin Pressman was again the hero as Sheffield Wednesday ripped up the formbook to sump Crystal Palace out of the Worthington Cup on penalties.

The 33-year-old keeper, man of the match, in a drawn Sheffield derby Sunday, spectacularly saved three Palace spot-kicks as his side edged into the fourth round.

Twice Wednesday had come from behind to level matters, through Ashley Westwood and Tony Crane, and it was a fair result given the Yorkshire side's dominance.

Craig Short was celebrating last night after returning to the Blackburn side and scoring the winner against Middlesbrough in the Worthington Cup.

He steered the ball home in the 112th minute. That goal stunned Middlesbrough, who had pulled level through Szilard Nemeth after Craig Hignett had opened the scoring.