Huddersfield beat Sunderland on penalties in EFL Cup

Lee Nicholls is surrounded by his Huddersfield Town team-mates after saving Milan Aleksic's penalty in the shootout

Milan Aleksic missed the decisive penalty in the shootout as League One Huddersfield knocked Premier League Sunderland out of the Carabao Cup.

Aleksic, who had set up Marc Guiu's late equaliser for the Black Cats, had his effort saved by Lee Nicholls as the Terriers advanced to the third round for the first time since 2017.

The visitors, who defeated Championship promotion favourites Leicester City on penalties in the first round, had taken the lead when Leo Castledine rifled a spectacular first-time volley past Anthony Patterson after Sunderland had failed to clear a corner.

Sunderland failed to register a shot on target before the interval, with their only two attempts – from Harrison Jones and Guiu – not troubling Huddersfield goalkeeper Nicholls.

Chelsea loanee Guiu should have equalised in the second period after Chris Rigg had intercepted a loose pass deep in the Huddersfield half, but Nicholls was equal to the 19-year-old striker's effort.

After a lengthy stoppage due to a medical emergency in the crowd, the tie went to penalties. Both teams scored from their first five efforts and after Kasumu had put Huddersfield 6-5 up, Nicholls produced a fine stop to tip Aleksic's shot round the post and book Huddersfield's place in the next round.

They will discover their opponents when the draw takes place after Grimsby Town's home tie against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Analysis: Too little, too late from Black Cats

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris fielded an entirely different starting XI from the one that lost 2-0 at Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, while Huddersfield defender Murray Wallace was the only player to keep his place from the Terriers' 1-0 victory over Stevenage - their fourth win in five league games this season.

The in-form visitors started brightly and, having taken the lead in spectacular fashion, nearly doubled their advantage when Dion Charles sent a rasping drive narrowly wide of the upright.

Huddersfield's confidence was encapsulated by a first-half attempt from David Kasumu, whose ambitious effort from 30 yards had goalkeeper Patterson scrambling across his goalline before the ball eventually curled wide of the target.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, they had their backs to the wall for large periods of the second half as Sunderland threw bodies forward with increasing desperation.

Nicholls tipped an Enzo le Fee free-kick over the crossbar, but the hosts eventually got the goal their territorial dominance deserved as Guiu glanced a well-placed header past Nicholls.

However, they were unable to complete the turnaround as Lee Grant's team held on to force a shootout.

Goalkeeper Nicholls – who was Huddersfield's hero in the last round against Leicester – had the last laugh as he denied Aleksic to spark wild celebrations among the Huddersfield players and travelling fans.

The Terriers last made it as far as the third round as a Premier League side in 2017-18, when they lost to Crystal Palace after beating Rotherham United in the second round.

What's next for these teams?

Sunderland: The Black Cats host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday before travelling to Crystal Palace after the international break in September.

Huddersfield: The Terriers travel to Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in their next League One game this weekend before hosting Peterborough United a week on Saturday.