Gianfranco Zola's Hammers were sent packing by Watford at Vicarage Road as goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka missed a cross and the ball went in off Hayden Mullins for an own goal (70th minute) as the Hornets triumphed 1-0.

It was the same scoreline at Turf Moor as a goal from substitute Jay Rodriguez two minutes from time handed Burnley victory over Fulham.

League Two will have a representative in the fourth round after Rotherham piled more misery on Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Southampton with a 3-1 victory.

The Millers have yet to reach zero points having started the season on -17 but Nick Fenton scrambled the opener following a corner (20) and Danny Harrison doubled the lead 11 minutes after half-time.

Substitute Stern John gave the Saints hope with a stunning shot from 25 yards (61), but instead of provoking a fightback from the visitors, Drewe Broughton made sure of victory eight minutes later.

Arsenal's next generation gave a display of precocious talent in a 6-0 home win over Sheffield United, with Carlos Vela the star of the show.

Established first-teamer Nicklas Bendtner (31, 42) finished off clever assists from Vela and Aaron Ramsey to put the Gunners two up before Vela made it three (44) with a lovely curling effort.

The Mexican then grabbed his second by leaving Paddy Kenny on his backside before calmly slotting in his second (50) and 16-year-old Jack Wilshere got in on the act with the fifth (57).

Fittingly, Vela had the last word by completing his hat-trick three minutes from time.

Swansea emerged victorious in the most keenly-contested match of the evening (UK time) with a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Cardiff.

Jordi Gomez grabbed the only goal of the game with a deflected free kick which Peter Enckelman could not keep out (57).

Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd both saw efforts chalked off for offside while Cardiff's misery was completed when Stephen McPhail was sent off for two yellow cards.

Andy Robinson scored an injury-time winner as Leeds defeated fellow League One side Hartlepool 3-2 at Elland Road.

The visitors were twice ahead through Andy Monkhouse (2) and Joel Porter (33), but Leeds hit back both times to equalise, as Robert Snodgrass (14) and Enoch Showunmi (58) put their names on the scoresheet.

The game looked set for extra-time before Robinson curled an effort into the top corner.

Carling Cup, Third Round

Arsenal 6
(Bendtner 31, 42, Vela 44, 50, 87, Wilshere 57)
Sheffield United 0

Sunderland 2 (4-3 on penalties)
(Stokes 86, 90)
Northampton 2
(Larkin 20, Guttridge 81)

Burnley 1
(Rodriguez 88)
Fulham 0

Swansea 1
(Gomez 57)
Cardiff 0

Leeds 3
(Snodgrass 14, Showunmi 58, Robinson 90)
Hartlepool 2
(Monkhouse 2, Porter 33)

Watford 1
(Mullins o.g 70)
West Ham 0

Liverpool 2
(Agger 15, Leiva 58)
Crewe 1
(O’Connor 25)

Rotherham 3
(Fenton 20, Harrison 56, Broughton 69)
Southampton 1
(John 61)

Man United 3
(Ronaldo 25, Giggs 79, Nani 90)
Middlesbrough 1
(Johnson 56)

Stoke 2 (4-3 on penalties)
(Pericard 9, Sidibe 50)
Reading 2
(Henry p. 45, 75)