Once in a lifetime: Northampton manager Ian Sampson soaks up the winning feeling at Anfield [AFP]

A night of upsets in the English League Cup saw Liverpool humiliated by fourth-division Northampton Town as Chelsea lost 4-3 at home to Newcastle United and Manchester City fell to West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool, fielding a largely second-string team, took an early lead through striker Milan Jovanovic but Northampton took the match to extra time with a 56th-minute strike by Billy McKay.

Northampton went ahead eight minutes into the extra period through Michael Jacobs before a goal by striker David N'gog four minutes from time levelled the scores at 2-2 and sent the game to penalties.

The visitors team controlled the shootout and Abdul Osman converted his spot-kick in driving rain to secure a 4-2 victory on penalties and heap early pressure on new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.

Chelsea, also playing a much-changed side, lost a competitive match for the first time since April when Newcastle came from behind to claim a famous victory at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea went ahead after six minutes through Patrick Van Aanholt, but Newcastle roared into a 3-1 lead with goals from Nile Ranger, Ryan Taylor and Shola Ameobi.

The hosts, reduced to 10 men after Yossi Benayoun went off injured when they had used all their substitutes, struck back with two Nicolas Anelka goals, one a penalty, before Ameobi headed the winner in the 90th minute before six minutes of stoppage time.

Owen on target

Former England striker Michael Owen scored twice to send holders Manchester United through to the last 16 after coming from a goal down at second division Scunthorpe United to win 5-2.

Josh Wright put Scunthorpe ahead before Darron Gibson equalised three minutes later and opened the floodgates.

Defender Chris Smalling made it 2-1 from close range, Owen grabbed his first after half time and South Korean Park Ji-sung made it 4-1 with a low shot into the corner.

Owen added his second before Martyn Woolford grabbed a consolation goal for the hosts in stoppage time.

West Bromwich Albion knocked out big-spending Manchester City 2-1 with two second-half goals in two minutes after Jo had put the visitors ahead in the 19th minute.

Striker Simon Cox grabbed the winner in the 57th minute, tucking a precise shot past the otherwise solid Shay Given, after Dutch defender Gianni Zuiverlooon had equalised.

Frenchman Gerard Houllier celebrated a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in his first match as Aston Villa manager with Ashley Young scoring twice in two minutes.

Gael Givet had put Rovers ahead with a ferocious drive from the edge of the area but former England forward Emile Heskey equalised seconds later after coming on as a substitute.