Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick as Chelsea thrashed fourth tier Barrow 5-0 to reach the last 16 of the League Cup Tuesday as a much-changed Manchester City edged out Watford 2-1.
Nkunku now has six goals in seven appearances this season, but the Frenchman has still been unable to nail down a regular place in Enzo Maresca's side.
Maresca made 11 changes from the team that beat West Ham United 3-0 Saturday but could still start around £400m ($533m) worth of talent.
Joao Felix was another of the Blues' big money signings to shine.
His scooped pass set up Nkunku for opener.
Nkunku then flicked home a second before Felix's free-kick hit the post and rebounded in off Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman.
Pedro Neto tapped in Mykhailo Mudryk's cross for his first Chelsea goal.
Nkunku sealed his first hat-trick for the club when he dispossessed Farman and rolled into an empty net.
City began what is likely to be many months without key midfielder Rodri after he suffered suspected knee ligament damage in a fiery 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League Sunday.
Little over 48 hours on from that top-of-the-table clash, City were in action again and Pep Guardiola made nine changes, including a debut for 16-year old Kaden Braithwaite.
Jeremy Doku, one of the two to retain his place, fired in the opening goal from Jack Grealish's pass after five minutes.
Rodri's absence could mean a more prominent role for Matheus Nunes and the Portugal international blasted in his first goal since joining City for £53m a year ago.
Tom Ince, son of former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince, pulled a late goal back for Watford, but it was too little, too late for the Championship side.
Aston Villa's second string were also pushed by lower-league opposition but Emiliano Buendia's header and Jhon Duran's penalty were enough to win 2-1 at Wycombe Wanderers.
Fourth-tier Walsall came closest to an upset as they forced Leicester City to penalties after a 0-0 draw.
However, the Premier League side won the shoot-out 3-0.
Newcastle United's trip to AFC Wimbledon was postponed after a sinkhole appeared on the League Two side's pitch following heavy flooding in London this week
The match has been switched to Newcastle's St. James Park on October 1.
Newcastle have contributed £15,000 to a fund to help repair the pitch at Cherry Red Records Stadium.
United and Tottenham Hotspur were among the sides to progress to round four last week.
Liverpool take on West Ham and Arsenal host Bolton Wanderers in the remaining two ties Wednesday.
RESULTS
Man City 2 (Doku 5, Nunes 38) Watford 1 (Ince 86)
Walsall 0 Leicester 0
Leicester won 3-0 on penalties
Chelsea 5 (Nkunku 8, 15, 75, Farman 28-o.g., Neto 48) Barrow 0
Wycombe 1 (Kone 90+5) Villa 2 (Buendia 55, Duran 85-P)
Wimbledon v Newcastle
Match postponed
