Awards: Capital One Cup 3rd Round

Player of the Round: Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal)

Mathieu Flamini is our player of the round for different reasons to what he’s typically known for! The Frenchman scored his first ever brace for the Gunners in what was also a rare start. The ex-AC Milan midfielder never looked out of place as he bossed the midfield, closed opponents down and made a number of crucial interceptions. But the most surprising thing was his two goals. Firstly, he found himself mopping up after Spurs keeper Michel Vorm spilled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s effort before smashing in a superb 20-yard volley!

Team of the Round: Carlisle United

It was a heroic performance from League Two side Carlisle at Anfield and they were ultimately desperately unlucky to go out via a penalty shootout. Derek Asamoah equalised for the lowest ranked team left in the competition with a solid goal as the Cumbrians continued to look comfortable for large portions of the game. They kept possession, created chances and threw their bodies on the line with some last ditch defending and thoroughly deserved to progress against a well below-par Liverpool side. Also a quick mention for the penalty of the night as well from Carlisle’s Alex McQueen, who hit one of the best spot kicks you’ll ever see.

Goal of the Round: Mathieu Flamini (2nd for Arsenal)

Yep it’s Flamini again! A fantastic goal made even more astounding by the person executing it! With the game tied at 1-1 and Spurs gaining the upper hand, everyone was surprised when the 31-year-old thundered a volley in from 20 yards out. The ball spent an age in the air but the midfielder never took his eye off the ball and delivered a technically perfect strike to give Arsenal the win.

Click here to read our Capital One Cup round-up and to see the 4th round draw.