Chelsea staged a sensational Carling Cup escape after Leicester came within minutes of dumping the holders out of the competition in a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

Midfielders Mark Duggan (calf), Paul Caffrey (groin) will both be absent when Bray Wanderers take on the League Champions Drogheda Utd at United Park on Friday night.

Eduardo Da Silva struck twice to help Arsenal book their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a routine victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Portsmouth tumbled to their first home defeat since March and out of the Carling Cup as goals by Benni McCarthy and Morten Gamst Pedersen earned Blackburn a place in the quarter-finals.

Celtic were sent crashing out of the CIS Insurance Cup as Hearts booked their place in the semi-finals.

Tottenham started the Juande Ramos era by reaching the Carling Cup quarter-final at the expense of Blackpool but the new boss was shown how tough his new job will be.

Robbie Fowler received a bear-hug from Rafael Benitez and a standing ovation from the Kop but he could do little to stop Steven Gerrard driving Liverpool into the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

Manchester City bounced back from their mauling against Chelsea to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Substitute Tim Cahill fired Everton into the Carling Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 19 years at the expense of Luton.

A petrol bomb was thrown at two gardaí who came under attack today by youths in Co Wicklow.

Talks between the Taoiseach and Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy on tackling gangland crime were described as "productive" by a spokesman for Mr Ahern tonight.

Eight Real IRA suspects were being held by police in Northern Ireland tonight after the discovery of a suspected bomb and bomb parts.

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson named a strong team for their Carling Cup fourth round match at the Reebok Stadium.

High-riding Premier League clubs Portsmouth and Blackburn both fielded strong sides for their Carling Cup clash at Fratton Park.

Chelsea made seven changes for the visit of Leicester in the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge.