LONDON // Javier Hernandez, the Manchester United striker, ruined Luis Suarez’s long-awaited return from suspension as the Mexican clinched a 1-0 win against Liverpool in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.
Suarez was making his first appearance of the season following the completion of his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in a Premier League clash last term.
But the controversial Uruguayan’s presence in the Liverpool starting line-up was not enough to galvanise his team to victory at Old Trafford as Hernandez bagged the winner for United less than two minutes into the second half.
David Moyes’s team were on course to bounce back from Sunday’s painful 4-1 derby defeat at Manchester City, and also avenge a 1-0 loss against Liverpool in the league this season, when Wayne Rooney’s corner picked out the unmarked Hernandez to volley home in the 46th minute.
Suarez, who had angered Liverpool with his failed attempt to engineer a move to Arsenal during his suspension, hit the bar with a free-kick in the closing stages and also went close when his powerful strike rippled the side-netting, but United held on to move into the fourth round.
“The movement is great for the goal, that’s what Chicharito [Hernandez] is all about. He finds space so well,” Moyes said.
Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, added: “I can have no complaints. One lapse of concentration has cost us.
“I thought Luis Suarez was excellent. You could tell he’d been out for a long time as he tired at the end. But he’s obviously a threat.”
Speaking after his return to action, Suarez told Liverpool’s website he was determined to help the club make up for lost time.
“The result is not good because we lost but the feeling is good because we played very well, we created chances and we missed,” he said.
“I know it was a difficult moment but for myself and for the team it’s very important I’m back because I can help the team and being off the pitch I can’t.
“We’ll keep going for the week and for the next game.
“All the time I try my best on the pitch. I’m here to help the team and help Liverpool and I’ll try my best.”
Arsenal beat West Brom
Meanwhile, Arsenal's young guns held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion.
Nicklas Bendtner, the Denmark forward, returned to the Arsenal team for the first time in more than two years as Arsene Wenger, the manager, made nine changes, giving game-time to a host of youngsters.
Wenger’s side took the lead when Bendtner’s defence-splitting pass gave Thomas Eisfeld a clean run on goal and the German youngster slotted home in the 61st minute.
But Saido Berahino, the Burundi-born England Under 21 striker, rose to head the equaliser from Steven Reid’s cross 10 minutes later.
In the shoot-out, Serge Gnabry, Arsenal’s German teenager, saw his spot-kick saved by Luke Daniels, but Craig Dawson and Morgan Amalfitano both missed the target for Albion and Nacho Monreal drove in the winner.
“I am proud. We played with many young players and they showed they are not only good footballers but that they can fight as well,” Wenger said.
“I decided to go for young players with the penalties and they coped well with the pressure.”
Swansea City beaten by Birmingham City
Swansea City, the League Cup holders, suffered an embarrassing exit as Birmingham City, the Championship side, won 3-1 at St Andrews.
Michael Laudrup’s side routed Bradford at Wembley last season to clinch the first trophy in the Welsh club’s 100-year history.
But Laudrup made 10 changes from the line-up that beat Crystal Palace in the league on Sunday and their defence of the trophy ended at the first attempt.
Dan Burn, the on-loan Fulham centre-half, headed Birmingham in front in the 57th minute before striker Matt Green, who was playing non league football with Mansfield last season, got across his marker to slide in a Chris Burke cross four minutes later.
Tom Adeyemi added the third in the 81st minute and Wilfried Bony’s stoppage-time strike was no consolation for Swansea.
Newcastle United through
Newcastle United eased through with a 2-0 win over Leeds United, the Championship side, at St James' Park.
The hosts went ahead when Papiss Cisse, the Senegal striker, ended his 11-game goal-drought with a header from Shola Ameobi’s cross in the 31st minute for his first goal since April.
And Yoan Gouffran, the French midfielder, sealed the victory as he smashed in a powerful shot from the edge of the area for his first goal for the club in the 67th minute.
Stoke City victorious
Stephen Ireland, the Stoke City midfielder, also scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Tranmere Rovers, the League One strugglers.
Ireland was handed his first Stoke start as Hughes made seven changes and the on-loan Aston Villa midfielder opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, collecting a through ball from Marko Arnautovic before slotting home for his first goal since December 2011.
Peter Crouch, the former Liverpool and Tottenham striker, notched the second in the 90th minute.
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