Brighton Triumphs Over Crawley in League Cup Despite O'Riley's Early Injury

Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a convincing 4-0 victory over Crawley Town in the League Cup second round. However, the win was overshadowed by an early injury to new signing Matt O'Riley. The Denmark midfielder, who joined Brighton from Celtic for £25 million just a day earlier, had to leave the field within the first nine minutes due to a left ankle injury caused by a heavy tackle.

Despite the setback, Brighton showcased their superiority, with Simon Adingra opening the scoring in the 31st minute. The team, currently second in the Premier League standings, extended their lead in the second half with goals from Jeremy Sarmiento, Adam Webster, and Mark O'Mahony. This victory marks Brighton's third consecutive win, boosting their confidence ahead of their upcoming league match against Arsenal.

The evening featured few surprises elsewhere, as Premier League teams like Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Leicester City all advanced against lower-ranked opponents. Everton overcame a challenging first half against Doncaster Rovers, eventually securing a 3-0 win. The second round of the League Cup marked the entry of Premier League teams not involved in European competitions, setting the stage for the entry of teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal in the next round.