Eden Hazard's majestic solo strike capped a thrilling Chelsea comeback in their 2-1 win at Liverpool in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.
Tottenham survived a penalty shootout to beat Watford, Arsenal advanced to the last 16 with a 3-1 win over Championship side Brentford, while West Ham demolished fourth-tier Macclesfield in an 8-0 rout that ranked as their biggest victory for 35 years.
Liverpool first loss of season
It was the drama at Anfield that stole the spotlight as Chelsea became the first team to stop Liverpool winning this season.
Jurgen Klopp's side had won seven consecutive matches in all competitions and the Premier League leaders were on course for number eight when Daniel Sturridge's brilliant effort put them ahead in the second half.
But Emerson Palmieri bagged Chelsea's late equalizer before Belgium star Hazard danced through the Liverpool defense to notch the winner with five minutes left.
It was an impressive comeback from Maurizio Sarri's men, giving them valuable momentum ahead of Saturday's more significant Premier League clash between the teams at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with teammates at Anfield. /VCG Photo
Chelsea are currently in third place, two points behind Liverpool after an unbeaten start to the season.
"It's a fantastic goal. Not only the beauty of it but for the time he scored it," Chelsea assistant boss Gianfranco Zola said of Hazard.
"Not only is he one of the best in the Premier League, but he is one of the best the world. He's remarkable."
Klopp added: "I think the first goal is offside. They watched it and didn't think it was offside. We have to take it.
"This is good preparation for Saturday but we have to defend better."
Tottenham survive shootout
Tottenham fell behind when Nigerian forward Isaac Success struck 40 seconds after half-time.
Christian Kabasele's foul on Dele Alli in the 82nd minute led to the Watford substitute's dismissal and a penalty for Tottenham.
England star Alli picked himself up to score the spot-kick before Erik Lamela put Tottenham ahead four minutes later.
Etienne Capoue equalized in the 89th minute, but Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga saved two penalties in the shootout.
Then Alli, named captain on his return to the club where he started his career, fittingly scored the decider.
Tottenham's Dele Alli reacts after scoring the winning goal in a shootout to beat Watford. /VCG Photo
In Arsenal's first meeting with Brentford since 1947, Danny Welbeck headed Arsenal into the lead after just five minutes at the Emirates Stadium and the forward struck again in the 37th minute.
Alan Judge got one back for Brentford with a deflected free-kick in the 58th minute.
But Alexandre Lacazette's 90th minute goal ensured Unai Emery's side held on for their sixth successive win in all competitions.
At the London Stadium, West Ham gave Macclesfield, who currently sit bottom of the entire Football League, a lesson in ruthless finishing.
Michail Antonio, Robert Snodgrass with a brace, Lucas Perez, Ryan Fredericks, Angelo Ogbonna and Grady Diangana, who also struck twice, were all on the scoresheet.
Nottingham Forest eased through with a 3-2 win over fellow second tier side Stoke at the City Ground.