Spector haunts Fergie as West Ham thrash United

It's been a humiliating 24 hours for two of the most famous football managers in the world. First Jose Mourinho saw his Real Madrid side thrashed 5-0 by Barcelona on Monday night, and then on Tuesday evening Alex Ferguson's Manchester United were humbled 4-0 by West Ham United in the quarter-final of the Carling Cup.

And make no mistake, it was a humbling. Ferguson had fielded a strong side in his determination to progress in the competition but on a bitterly cold night in East London they came spectacularly undone. And the architect of United's downfall was Jonathan Spector, an American defender sold by Ferguson to the Hammers four years ago.

His brace of goals in the first-half sent West Ham on their way, and a second half double by Carlton Cole not only dumped United out of the cup but also ended their 29-match unbeaten streak.

To be beaten so comprehensively by the Premier League's bottom club was an embarrassment in itself, but for a United side containing the likes of Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea, Javier Hernandez and Ryan Giggs be so outplayed left Ferguson as red-faced as the hat he wore on his head as the snow fell on Upton Park. "I didn't expect that, that's for sure," fumed Fergie afterwards. "The goals were absolutely too soft. You can't give away goals like that at this level... it was a quarter-final tie and we had a real good opportunity of winning the cup again."

For the 24-year-old Spector, making only his third appearance for the Hammers this season, it was an extraordinary night, and one he was still trying to make sense of long after the final whistle had blown. "I'm not really sure why I've not scored before," he replied when asked why he hadn't scored in his 128 previous games in English football. "Playing in a different position helped, I moved forward a bit more. The first goal was a great ball from Victor Obinna and the second it was Victor again - he was unfortunate to swipe and miss and I picked up the pieces."

In the night's other Carling Cup tie, Arsenal eased past Wigan 2-0 in a match that did little to warm the cockles as the snow swirled around the Emirates. The visitors barely had a shot on goal during the 90 minutes while Arsenal created a dozen or more chances but finished only two of them, and one of those needed the head of Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz to find the net.

That own goal on 42 minutes was followed by Nicklas Bendtner's effort on 67 minutes, the Dane poking home Carlos Vela's cross from the left. The little Mexican could have had a hat-trick for the Gunners had he had his eye in, but instead he squandered numerous opportunities in either half, including a one-on-one with Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi after a delightful back heel by the Robin van Persie had set him free.

Van Persie's performance was the highlight of the evening as far as Gunners' fans were concerned, the Dutchman looking sharp in his first start since August 28. With Jack Wilshere also pulling the strings in midfield, Arsenal cantered to victory and are now firm favourites to lift the trophy following United's shock exit at West Ham.

"We want to make our supporters happy as much as we can," said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger later, adding: "The major trophies are the Champions League and the championship but if we can win this [Carling Cup] competition we will take it. You want to win trophies and always be at the top and you can only do as well as you can, and at the moment we are in all competitions." ·