Arsenal and West Ham United both reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with victories over Wigan Athletic and Manchester United respectively.
The Hammers dumped the holders out of the competition with a stunning 4-0 victory inspired by Jonathan Spector's first goals in English football.
Spector had never scored during his six seasons in the Premier League but the USA defender struck twice to begin a rout that sent home fans delirious as the Red Devils suffered their first defeat of the season.
Further damage was done by Carlton Cole after the interval with the England marksman pouncing twice to bring United crashing back down to earth after their 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn Rovers.
Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes to the side that hammered Blackburn with only Anderson remaining, but the manner of this defeat will still prove difficult to stomach.
The Hammers had a goal disallowed for offside before Spector nodded them ahead on 22 minutes.
Victor Obinna supplied an exquisite chip and Spector, having crept inside Darren Fletcher, headed into the net.
in the 37th minute the home side's ascendancy was rewarded once more.
Fabio's attempted block of Obinna's shot fell kindly for Spector who blasted home from close range.
The Barclays Premier League's bottom club sealed the tie in the 55th minute. The superb Obinna was the supplier with his inch-perfect cross met by Cole, who headed the ball home.
There was still more to come from West Ham, however, as little over 10 minutes later, Cole slammed home his second after being set up by Obinna.
ARSENAL WIN
Arsenal moved into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at a freezing Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners missed several good chances before they took the lead on the stroke of half-time through an own-goal from Latics skipper Antolin Alcaraz.
Wigan lost Victor Moses to a suspected broken wrist and Nicklas Bendtner's close-range effort on 67 minutes settled matters.
The Gunners went ahead three minutes before the break through an own goal.
Theo Walcott's corner caused all sorts of problems in the Wigan six-yard box, with Alcaraz - just back from suspension - flicking the ball into the net under pressure from Bendtner.
Arsenal secured safe passage to the semi-finals when Carlos Vela was put clear down the left, and his low centre was bundled in by Bendtner from two yards after 67 minutes.