Fernando Torres struck a hat-trick in a rare start for Liverpool as they edged an entertaining Carling Cup third-round clash at Reading 4-2.

While Manchester City and Arsenal both edged through with narrow victories, goals were plentiful at the Madejski Stadium.

Yossi Benayoun broke his Liverpool duck with a goal of the highest quality, scoring past Adam Federici from distance in the 23rd minute.

Bobby Convey levelled four minutes but Torres made the most of his run-out by firing Liverpool back in front early in the second half.

John Halls equalised in the 64th minute but Torres put the Reds in front for a third time with another fabulous finish in the 71st minute, before converting a one-on-one for his hat-trick.

David Nugent made amends for a glaring first-half miss by scoring to help Portsmouth to a 1-0 win at Burnley.

Nugent wasted a glorious chance to give Pompey the half-time advantage at Turf Moor when his attempted nutmeg of Clarets keeper Gabor Kiraly failed miserably.

However, Pompey made a breakthrough when Nugent scored after 69 minutes with a well taken goal and Harry Redknapp's side held on for victory.

Forgotten man Georgios Samaras provided the perfect answer to his many detractors as he slotted home a last-gasp Carling Cup winner for Manchester City.

Not even offered a place on the bench by Sven-Goran Eriksson so far this season, the £6m Stuart Pearce signing would surely have been sold in August had a suitable buyer been found.

Instead, despite interest from Middlesbrough, Samaras opted to stay at Eastlands and fight for his place.

The battle will not be an easy one to win but the Greek forward started in the best manner possible, finishing off Kelvin Etuhu's superb through ball to ensure the Premier League high-flyers overcame a determined Norwich side who scrapped throughout but never really looked like causing a shock.

Not that City were that good. With only three chances of any note, the hosts seemed set to be taken into extra-time until Samaras found his range, charging clear of the Canaries defence to set the Blues fans chirping.

Avram Grant has voiced his disappointment at the Football Association's decision to reject Chelsea's appeal against Mikel John Obi's sending off against Manchester United on Sunday.

Mikel was red-carded by referee Mike Dean during Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford for a challenge on Patrice Evra.

But Chelsea's appeal was dismissed by the FA's disciplinary commission yesterday.