English champions Chelsea, big-spending Manchester City and Liverpool were all dumped out of the Carling Cup in a sensational trio of third-round matches on Wednesday, dpa reported.
Chelsea were beaten 4-3 at home by fellow Premier League side Newcastle in a thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge, while City went down 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool were humbled by League Two side Northampton, going out in a penalty shoot-out.
A much-changed Chelsea side took the lead through Patrick van Aanholt, but Nile Ranger volleyed the equalizer, and Ryan Taylor put the visitors ahead from a free-kick.
Shola Ameobi extended Newcastle's lead, but Nicolas Anelka pulled one back 20 minutes from time, and the Frenchman then levelled the match from the penalty spot after a foul on Alex.
But Ameobi headed the winner from a corner in injury time to send the travelling Newcastle fans home in delight and put Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea side out of the competition.
Second-half goals by Gianni Zuiverloon and Simon Cox helped West Brom come from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Hawthorns, but the biggest shock of the night came at Anfield.
Liverpool took an early lead through Milan Jovanovic but were pegged back by Bill McKay, and then Michael Jacobs put Northampton ahead in extra time.
David Ngog equalized for Liverpool with a close-range finish, but the striker then missed from the spot in the shoot-out, and Northampton won it 5-3 to add to Liverpool's woes.
Manchester United came from a goal down to record a thumping 5-2 win at Scunthorpe, while Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic eased into the fourth round.