n the favor by walking out of a pre-fight engagement only two days before the fight, drawing McGregor into a water bottle-tossing

MANCHESTER, England -- Henrikh Mkhitaryans vision and Anthony Martials cool finishing helped Manchester United into the English League Cup semifinals as two of the teams out-of-favor forwards showed their worth on Wednesday.Uniteds 4-1 win over West Ham at Old Trafford was illuminated by Mkhitaryans touch and eye for a pass in only his third start for the club since his high-profile move from Borussia Dortmund in the offseason.The Armenia captain set up goals scored early in each half -- by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Martial -- before getting a standing ovation from United fans when substituted in the final minutes. By then, Ibrahimovic and Martial had each grabbed their second goals of a comfortable win that set up a semifinal match against Hull.United manager Jose Mourinho has been holding back Mkhitaryan while he adapts to the English game. On this evidence, its time for the last seasons Bundesliga Player of the Year to be unleashed on a regular basis.We were waiting for his adaptation, Mourinho said, and it looks like its coming.Martial has featured more than Mkhitaryan this season but has also been often overlooked by Mourinho, who has many options in his attacking midfield positions in players like Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay.This brace doubled the France internationals goal output for the season.In the other quarterfinal match on Wednesday, Southampton beat a largely second-string Arsenal team 2-0 thanks to first-half goals by Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand at Emirates Stadium. Southampton advanced to the semifinals of Englands second-tier cup competition for the first time since the 1986-87 season, and will now face Liverpool.The semifinals are played over two legs in January.Mourinho was absent from the dugout for the match after being handed a one-game touchline ban hours before kickoff, a punishment being sent to the stands against West Ham in a Premier League fixture at the weekend.Mourinho was able to talk to his players before kickoff and at halftime, and was able to communicate with his staff on the bench during the game. One of his decisions was to send Bastian Schweinsteiger on as a late substitute for Martial, for the former Germany captains first appearance of the season.Asked where he watched the match, Mourinho, who wasnt spotted in the stands at Old Trafford, said: Secret.He was happy to speak more about his teams display, one of its best of the season from an attacking point of view. United has struggled to put away teams at Old Trafford in the Premier League despite having lots of chances and shots -- the team has drawn its last four league games at home -- but is having no such problems in the League Cup and Europa League.I am pleased with the goals; the performance, we are used to, said Mourinho, who added that his team produced beautiful, attacking football.Ibrahimovic ran onto a backheeled pass from Mkhitaryan to put United 1-0 ahead in the second minute, only for West ham to equalize in the 35th through Ashley Fletcher, who spent seven years at Old Trafford before leaving this summer.Martial tucked away Mkhitaryans cross to restore Uniteds lead in the 48th, and scored a second goal in the 62nd after good interplay from Ibrahimovic and Antonio Valencia. Ibrahimovic completed the scoring in injury time.A disappointing evening for West Ham was worsened by the sight of Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio going off injured.On Tuesday, Liverpool beat Leeds 2-0 and Hull beat Newcastle in a penalty shootout. Matt Martin Islanders Jersey . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Adam Pelech Islanders Jersey . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-bryan-trottier-islanders-jersey/ . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Clark Gillies Islanders Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Josh Bailey Islanders Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Its the rematch we expected to headline UFC 200 but was postponed, allegedly because of Conor McGregors unwillingness to attend a news conference. This is ironic, since being penalized for missing publicity obligations usually brings to mind Nick Diaz, the older brother of McGregors opponent, Nate Diaz. So it was a Stockton 209 maneuver long before McGregor ever pulled it. And now Nate Diaz has managed to return the favor by walking out of a pre-fight engagement only two days before the fight, drawing McGregor into a water bottle-tossing rage.Despite the bumpy start to this booking, since the confirmation of the rematch both fighters have lived up to their obligations and done plenty to fuel the flamess between them.dddddddddddd But while both men are famously confident, they achieve it through very different ways -- further adding to their animosity. The brash instigator McGregor versus the aloof, never-back-down counter striker Diaz is more than just a description of their divergent posturing, but as well see, also their fighting styles.For those planning to bet the UFC 202 card, beware of a few factors that make this more difficult to predict than some recent events. Well examine each of the final three fights of the night in detail, and also explore totals and props. ' ' '