With no European competitions clogging up their schedules, Chelsea and liverpool are placing more importance on the English league Cup than usual this season.
They both advanced to the last 16 on Tuesday — but took different routes.
Chelsea came from two goals behind at Premier league champion leicester, taking an end-to-end game to extra time at 2-2 thanks to goals from defenders Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta before Cesc Fabregas' double clinched a 4-2 win.
liverpool had it much easier, dispatching second-tier Derby in a 3-0 victory with Ragnar Klavan, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi scoring the goals.
Japan forward Shinji Okazaki took advantage of defensive errors to score twice for leicester at King Power Stadium, but the hosts were undermanned in extra time after Marcin Wasilewski collected his second yellow card in the 89th for elbowing Diego Costa in the face.
Fabregas' two goals send a message to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who has marginalized the Spain midfielder at the start of the season.
Elsewher, Everton failed to transfer its strong Premier league form to the league Cup by losing to second-tier Norwich.
lucas Perez, a recent signing from Spanish side Deportivo la Coruna, scored twice in the second half for his first goals for Arsenal. Granit Xhaka scored from long range to put Arsenal ahead and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wrapped up the win.
Milan win again
MIlAN: AC Milan has won consecutive Serie A matches for the first time since February. The Rossoneri beat visiting lazio 2-0 on Tuesday to follow up a 1-0 win over Sampdoria on Friday. Carlos Bacca opened the scoring in first half and M'Baye Niang converted a penalty after break.
Valencia fire coach
MADRID: Valencia has fired coach Pako Ayestaran after the team started the season with four straight losses in the Spanish league. The club said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision was made "after analyzing the current sporting situation and results."