Holders Liverpool and last year's beaten finalists Manchester United have both failed to reach the last eight of this year's tournament after unexpected fourth round defeats.

Liverpool's Vladimir Smicer of the Czech Republic jumps over Bolton Wanderers' Bruno N'Gotty of France in their English League Cup fourth round soccer match at Anfield, Liverpool, December 3, 2003. [Reuters]

Liverpool went out at the hands of Bolton, who won a five-goal thriller at Anfield courtesy of Youri Djorkaeff's last-minute penalty, while a second string United side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat by first division leaders West Bromwich Albion.

A spectacular 6th-minute scissor-kick volley from Swiss wing-back Bernt Haas and a well-placed header from Scott Dobie 11 minutes after the break made sure of West Brom's place in the draw for the quarter-finals.

The Baggies could have won even more convincingly but for a superb penalty stop by United's number two goalkeeper Roy Carroll from Jason Koumas.

There was no slip-up by Premiership leaders Chelsea, who negotiated their way past first division Reading thanks to a solitary 57th minute strike from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Liverpool were always on the back foot against a fired-up Bolton side at Anfield.

Brazilian striker Mario Jardel gave the visitors the lead after four minutes. Danny Murphy equalised mid-way through the second half but Jay-Jay Okocha restored Bolton's lead with a trademark freekick in the 79th minute.

The tie seemed destined for extra time when Vladimir Smicer equalised again for Liverpool two minutes from time.

But Bolton were able to claim a deserved victory when Salif Diao upended Kevin Davies and the nerveless Djorkaeff converted the late penalty.

Aston Villa, five times winners of the trophy, eased into the last eight with an ultimately comfortable 3-0 win over first division Crystal Palace.

An own goal by Kit Symons after 22 minutes put Palace on the back foot and second half strikes from Gavin McCann (70) and Juan Pablo Angel (79) completed Villa's win.

Tottenham fans had double cause for celebration after a 3-1 win over Manchester City at White Hart Lane.

Darren Anderton put the home side ahead after nine minutes before Portuguese misfit Helder Postiga finally opened his Spurs account after half an hour.

Robbie Fowler gave City hope ten minutes from the end but Frederic Kanoute, who had missed Spurs previous six matches with an ankle injury, came off the bench to stroke home a third for the home side in the final minute.

Extra-time was being played in the night's other match after Middlesbrough and Everton finished goalless after 90 minutes.

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