By Mike Collett

LONDON, Nov 8 (Reuters) Southend United woke up today basking in glory after their shock 1-0 win over holders Manchester United in the League Cup last night.

Freddy Eastwood's first half free kick was the only goal of an impassioned fourth round match at Southend's modest Roots Hall home as Manchester United, Premier League leaders and fielding a strong team, were humbled by the side bottom of the second division.

''Freddy and the Dreamers - Eastwood strikes to make Southend's day'' said the Daily Express who called the upset, ''one of Manchester United's most embarrassing defeats ever.'' ''Fred Devil'' said the Sun, while the Guardian's headline writers decreed: ''Eastwood puts Southend on top of the world.'' ''Sir Alex Ferguson suffered one of his most embarrassing defeats last night when Southend beat his team -- and often outplayed them'' reported the Guardian.

Eastwood, a lifelong United fan, who has been tipped for a move to a bigger club in the January transfer window, scored the only goal with a spinning, dipping free kick after 26 minutes which left United goalkeeper Tomas Kuszczak groping the air.

Southend manager Steve Tilson said afterwards: ''When I first saw their team sheet, I just thought 'can we keep the score down?' ''We have had a lot of Premiership scouts looking at Freddy but hopefully we can keep him in January.'' SOUTHEND PEERLESS United's strong line-up included Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mikael Silvestre and Wes Brown, but they were often second-best against the home team inspired by a vociferous 11,500 crowd.

Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan was outstanding with a series of fine saves.

The win means that Southend have reached the quarter-finals of one of the two domestic cups for the first time in their 100-year history and ruined the 20th anniversary celebrations of Ferguson's appointment as United manager.

''I've been here 20 years and it is a great reminder things can still smack you in the face like this,'' he said.

In yesterday's other action, Newcastle United drew 2-2 at Watford before winning 5-4 on penalties and Charlton Athletic drew 3-3 at giant-killers Chesterfield before winning 4-3 on penalties to reach the last eight for the first time.

Fourth division Wycombe Wanderers also secured their place in the quarter-finals for the first time with a 1-0 win at Notts County.

The fourth round concludes today with Liverpool travelling to Birmingham City where they won 7-0 in the FA Cup last season, Chelsea playing Aston Villa, Everton at home to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at home to third division Port Vale.

REUTERS SAM HT1514