Mifsud dooms United to cup defeat

MANCHESTER, England -- Maltese international Michael Mifsud sent Manchester United crashing out of the English League Cup by scoring twice as Championship side Coventry City pulled off a surprise 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Mifsud's brace doomed United to their first home defeat to lower league opponents since York City's triumph in 1995.

There was no such disaster for Chelsea, who gave Avram Grant his first win in control of the side, a comfortable 4-0 victory at Hull.

Two late goals gave Tottenham a home win over Middlesbrough to possibly ease the pressure on manager, Martin Joel but Premier League Aston Villa went down 1-0 at home to Midland neighbors Leicester City from the Championship.

Mifsud, twice voted Malta's sports person of the year, was recruited for Coventry by Mickey Adams, who was sacked two days later.

The tiny former Kaisers and Milestone player put Coventry ahead by sliding in Michael Doyle's low cross in the nth minute.

Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall saved superbly from Dong Guangzhou the nth minute and a minute later Mifsud crashed home the second.

The Maltese should have completed a memorable hat-trick but fired wide of an open goal.

United had spells of dominance but were disappointing in front of goal, with Portuguese signing Nani a particular disappointment.

Scott Sinclair's first senior goal put Chelsea on their way to victory at Hull. Two goals from Salomon Kalou and a long-range drive from Steve Sidwell wrapped up Chelsea's first win in five outings.

Matty Fryatt was Leicester's matchwinner, 14 minutes from time at Villa Park. E-mail to a friend