Positive response was important, says Owen

Manchester United goalscorer Michael Owen admitted last night’s Carling Cup fourth-round win at Aldershot was all the more important after the “kick in the teeth” dished out by Manchester City on Sunday.

United won 3-0 at Aldershot as Dimitar Berbatov and Owen gave them a healthy lead as they looked to regroup following the 6-1 defeat by neighbours City.

Antonio Valencia added a third goal early in the second half.

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Asked if there was added pressure following Sunday’s result – despite last night’s side featuring a different set of players – Owen said: “I suppose so. We were a little bit under pressure with the result at the weekend.

“Sometimes you need a kick in the teeth to get going and it was a big kick in the teeth, as everybody knows, and we were eager to bounce back.”

Arsenal were saved by a quickfire double salvo from Andrey Arshavin and Park Ju-young as they beat Bolton 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

After a goalless first half, the Trotters started well after the break, taking the lead through Fabrice Muamba.

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The Gunners responded brightly to falling behind and levelled through Arshavin as he fired across the face of goal. He then turned provider as Park curled home a superb effort.

Joe Mason’s second goal in as many matches helped Cardiff to a 1-0 victory over Burnley, while the night’s other match saw Crystal Palace beat Southampton 2-0 at Selhurst Park.

Darren Ambrose put the Eagles in front in the 73rd minute and Jermaine Easter added a second nine minutes later.

Fixtures (7.45 unless stated)

Carling Cup, Fourth Round: Blackburn v Newcastle (8.00), Everton v Chelsea (8.00), Stoke v Liverpool, Wolverhampton v Man City.

Championship: Birmingham v Leeds.