Every morning TheScore.ie brings you the stories you need to know before that first cup of coffee.
1. #CAPITAL ONE CUP We thought Manchester United and Chelsea couldn’t top Arsenal’s comeback at Reading on Tuesday, but the sides tried their best at Stamford Bridge last night.
The visitors led three times before Eden Hazard converted a last-minute penalty, which earned the Blues an extra 30 minutes. Roberto di Matteo’s men then scored twice in extra-time to win 5-4.
Elsewhere, Liverpool were dumped out by Brendan Rodger’s old side Swansea and Norwich came from behind to beat Spurs at Carrow Road. All in all, a very entertaining week of League cup action, you’ll agree? The draw for the next round is here.
2. #COYBIG Wes Hoolahan was yesterday called into Giovanni Trapattoni’s provisional Ireland squad for this month’s friendly with Greece.
The Norwich playmaker earns the call-up after a man-of-the-match performance against Aston Villa last weekend and a good showing in the win over Arsenal, in front of the Italian, the weekend before.
Robbie Keane and Shane Long sit this one out while Everton defender Shane Duffy, who has yet to make his senior international debut, is included on the 26-man list. Check out the details here.
3. #NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS Declan Kidney yesterday called up Munster fullback Denis Hurley following the withdrawal of captain Brian O’Driscoll earlier this week. He will meet up with the camp at Carton House this evening and train with the squad today. Let’s hope he doesn’t take fashion tips from new Thomond Park team-mates.
4. #HSBCCHAMPIONS Shane Lowry is one shot off the lead in China after carding a six under, 66 in the first round this morning. Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott lead the way.
5. #LANCE The plot thickens in the Lance Armstrong soap opera. Yesterday, a Dallas-based insurance company said they’ll chase the Texan rider for monies paid out while some experts insisted Armstrong had been unfairly treated. One English town seems to have closed the case; they’ll burn an Armstrong effigy this weekend.
6. #GAA RTÉ are reporting this morning that Dublin senior football goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is considering his intercounty future.
