Blackburn, Stoke advance

LONDON (AP):

Blackburn, Stoke and Sunderland were among the seven English Premier League clubs to advance from the second round of England's League Cup yesterday.

While the top-flight teams involved in European competition get a bye to the next round, England striker Darren Bent scored twice to lead Sunderland to a 2-0 win over lowly Colchester and Stoke beat Shrewsbury 2-1.

On-loan Manchester United striker Mame Diouf scored a hat-trick on his full Blackburn debut to give his new team a 3-1 win over Norwich, Scott Parker scored in the last minute to give West Ham a 1-0 win over Oxford, and Wigan won 3-0 atHartlepool.

West Bromwich Albion won 2-0 at Leyton Orient and Bolton beat Southampton 1-0. But Wolver-hampton Wanderers needed extra time to beat Southend 2-1 and Blackpool lost 4-3 at Milton Keynes Dons.

There are three more matches on today, when Newcastle, Everton and Fulham enter the competition, while the second round concludes tomorrow with Birmingham playing Rochdale.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool all enter the tournament in the next round, which is scheduled for the week beginning September 20.