The 2017–18 EFL Cup was the 58th season of the EFL Cup. The competition was open to all 92 clubs participating in the Premier League and the English Football League. It was known as the Carabao Cup due to the start of a sponsorship deal with Carabao Energy Drinks after the tournament was unsponsored the previous year.[1] The final took place at Wembley Stadium in London.

2017–18 EFL Cup
Carabao Cup, League Cup
Tournament details
CountryEngland
Wales
Dates8 August 2017 – 25 February 2018
Teams92
Defending championsManchester United
Final positions
ChampionsManchester City (5th title)
Runner-upArsenal
Tournament statistics
Matches played87
Goals scored258 (2.97 per match)
Attendance1,454,812 (16,722 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Josh Murphy
Samuel Sáiz
Islam Slimani
(4 goals each)
Winners Manchester City

Manchester City won their fifth title after a 3–0 win over Arsenal in the final.[2]

Manchester United were the defending champions, but they were eliminated by Bristol City in the fifth round.[3]

Access edit

 
Chelsea v Bmth dec 2017 02

All 92 clubs in the top four divisions of English football participate. In the first round, all the clubs in EFL League Two and EFL League One will enter alongside 22 of the 24 EFL Championship teams except for Hull City and Middlesbrough who received byes to the next round as the highest finishing teams relegated from the 2016–17 Premier League.[4] In the second round, all Premier League clubs not involved in European competition enter. Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all received byes to the third round owing to their participation in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.[5]

In June 2017, the English Football League announced that the draw for the first round of the competition would be held in Bangkok, Thailand, as a result of their new sponsorship deal with Thai company Carabao.[4] There were plans for the 2017–18 EFL Cup to trial video assistant referees during matches in their first use in England. However the plans were scrapped due to a delay and would instead be trialled in the 2017–18 FA Cup from the third round instead.[6]

Distribution edit

  • Clubs involved in European competition entered at the third round.
  • The remaining Premier League clubs and two Championship clubs who finished 18th and 19th in Premier League the previous season entered at the second round.
  • The remaining English Football League clubs entered at the first round.[7]
Clubs entering in this round Clubs advancing from previous round
First round
(70 clubs)
  • 24 clubs from EFL League Two
  • 24 clubs from EFL League One
  • 22 clubs from EFL Championship
  • N/A
Second round
(50 clubs)
  • 2 clubs from EFL Championship
  • 13 Premier League clubs (not involved in European competition)
  • 35 winners from first round
Third round
(32 clubs)
  • 7 Premier League clubs (involved in European competition)
  • 25 winners from second round
Fourth round
(16 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 16 winners from third round
Fifth round
(8 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 8 winners from fourth round
Semi-finals
(4 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 4 winners from fifth round
Final
(2 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 2 winners from semi-finals

First round edit

Entry edit

A total of 70 clubs played in the first round: 24 from League Two (tier 4), 24 from League One (tier 3), and 22 from the Championship (tier 2). The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into 'northern' and 'southern' sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.[7]

Matches edit

The first round draw was made as follows:[8]

Northern section edit

8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Accrington Stanley (4) 3–2Preston North End (2)Accrington
19:45 BST Richards-Everton   20'
Clark   86'
Kee   90+3'
Report Hugill   70', 90+1' Stadium: Crown Ground
Attendance: 2,879
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Barnsley (2) 4–3Morecambe (4)Barnsley
19:45 BST Bradshaw   2', 46'
Lund   22' (o.g.)
Hedges   90+5'
Report Lavelle   45+1'
Rose   49' (pen.)
Oliver   82'
Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 4,062
Referee: Darren Bond
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Bradford City (3)2–3 Doncaster Rovers (3) Bradford
19:45 BST Poleon   35'
Jones   84'
Report May   8'
Kongolo   71'
Whiteman   88'
Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 3,175
Referee: Darren Drysdale
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Coventry City (4)1–3 Blackburn Rovers (3) Rowleys Green, Coventry
19:45 BST Nazon   22' Report Evans   16'
Smallwood   33'
Samuel   56'
Stadium: Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 5,372
Referee: Darren England (England)
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Fleetwood Town (3)1–2 (a.e.t.) Carlisle United (4) Fleetwood
19:45 BST Hiwula   69' Report S. Miller   22'
T. Miller   101'
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 1,711
Referee: Graham Salisbury
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Mansfield Town (4)0–1 Rochdale (3) Mansfield
19:45 BST Report Camps   17' Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 1,457
Referee: Andy Madley
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Nottingham Forest (2) 2–1Shrewsbury Town (3)Nottingham
19:45 BST Carayol   29' (pen.)
Cummings   75'
Report Whalley   79' (pen.) Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 7,546
Referee: John Busby
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Rotherham United (3) 2–1Lincoln City (4)Rotherham
19:45 BST Proctor   39'
Forde   78'
Report Knott   64' Stadium: New York Stadium
Attendance: 5,489
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Scunthorpe United (3) 3–3 (a.e.t.)
(6–5 p)
Notts County (4)Scunthorpe
19:45 BST Madden   69' (pen.), 105+1'
Holmes   86'
Report Grant   22'
Brisley   90+2'
Yates   117'
Stadium: Glanford Park
Attendance: 1,874
Referee: David Webb
Penalties
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Sheffield Wednesday (2) 4–1Chesterfield (4)Owlerton, Sheffield
19:45 BST Fletcher   45+2'
Hooper   43'
Bannan   75'
Hutchinson   83'
Report Dennis   38' (pen.) Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 11,682
Referee: Ross Joyce
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Wigan Athletic (3) 2–1Blackpool (3)Wigan
19:45 BST Laurent   17'
Flores   45+1'
Report Gnanduillet   59' Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 3,391
Referee: Chris Sarginson
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Crewe Alexandra (4)1–2 Bolton Wanderers (2) Crewe
19:45 BST Porter   42' Report Armstrong   70'
Derik   81'
Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 3,167
Referee: Mark Heywood
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Leeds United (2) 4–1Port Vale (4)Leeds
19:45 BST Sáiz   13', 60', 62'
Ekuban   83'
Report Tonge   36' Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 15,431
Referee: Peter Bankes
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Oldham Athletic (3)2–3 Burton Albion (2) Oldham
19:45 BST Green   55'
Davies   67' (pen.)
Report Varney   47'
Lund   69'
Akins   86' (pen.)
Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 2,176
Referee: Scott Duncan
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Sheffield United (2) 3–2Walsall (3)Sheffield
19:45 BST Roberts   74' (o.g.)
Thomas   79'
Lafferty   82'
Report Bakayoko   13'
Oztumer   90+1' (pen.)
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 5,210
Referee: Kevin Friend
10 August 2017 (2017-08-10) Bury (3)0–1 Sunderland (2) Bury, Greater Manchester
19:45 BST Report Honeyman   69' Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 3,470
Referee: Robert Jones
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22)[note 1] Grimsby Town (4)0–1 Derby County (2) Cleethorpes
19:45 BST Report Vydra   53' (pen.) Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 3,033
Referee: Trevor Kettle

Southern section edit

8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) AFC Wimbledon (3)1–3 (a.e.t.) Brentford (2) Kingston upon Thames, London
19:45 BST Robinson   25' Report Sawyers   69'
Watkins   105+1'
Shaibu   119'
Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 3,229
Referee: Dean Whitestone
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Birmingham City (2) 5–1Crawley Town (4)Bordesley, Birmingham
19:45 BST Adams   27', 42', 66'
Davis   38'
Tesche   49'
Report Camara   86' Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 7,814
Referee: Michael Salisbury
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Bristol City (2) 5–0Plymouth Argyle (3)Ashton Gate, Bristol
19:45 BST Hegeler   2'
Baker   14'
Smith   19'
Hinds   39'
Paterson   79'
Report Stadium: Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 9,838
Referee: Oliver Langford
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Bristol Rovers (3) 4–1Cambridge United (4)Horfield, Bristol
19:45 BST Bodin   13', 42'
Harrison   61'
Sercombe   70'
Report Ikpeazu   66' Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,114
Referee: Kevin Johnson
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Cardiff City (2) 2–1 (a.e.t.)Portsmouth (3)Cardiff
19:45 BST Mendez-Laing   48'
Halford   113'
Report Morrison   32' (o.g.) Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 6,592
Referee: Steve Martin
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Exeter City (4)1–2 Charlton Athletic (3) Exeter
19:45 BST Holmes   54' Report Clarke   72'
Charles-Cook   79'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 2,699
Referee: Tim Robinson
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Forest Green Rovers (4)0–1 (a.e.t.) Milton Keynes Dons (3) Nailsworth
19:45 BST Report Ariyibi   110' Stadium: The New Lawn
Attendance: 1,608
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Luton Town (4)0–2 Ipswich Town (2) Luton
19:45 BST Report McGoldrick   34', 90+3' Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Attendance: 4,610
Referee: Andy Haines
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Millwall (2) 2–0Stevenage (4)Bermondsey, London
19:45 BST Elliott   54', 67' Report Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 3,096
Referee: Simon Hooper
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Norwich City (2) 3–2Swindon Town (4)Norwich
19:45 BST Jerome   27'
Hoolahan   39'
Maddison   42'
Report Lancashire   25'
Mullin   62'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,166
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Oxford United (3)3–4 (a.e.t.) Cheltenham Town (4) Oxford
19:45 BST Johnson   21' (pen)
Obika   31'
Xemi   42'
Report Eisa   9', 99'
Wright   66', 90'
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 3,179
Referee: Graham Horwood
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Peterborough United (3)1–3 Barnet (4) Peterborough
19:45 BST Edwards   30' Report Akpa Akpro   22'
Vilhete   39'
Coulthirst   58'
Stadium: London Road Stadium
Attendance: 2,725
Referee: Tony Harrington
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Queens Park Rangers (2) 1–0Northampton Town (3)Shepherd's Bush, London
19:45 BST N'Gbakoto   36' Report Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 4,317
Referee: Charles Breakspear
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Southend United (3)0–2 Newport County (4) Southend-on-Sea[note 2]
19:45 BST Report McCoulsky   52', 58' Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 2,998
Referee: Antony Coggins
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Wolverhampton Wanderers (2) 1–0Yeovil Town (4)Wolverhampton
19:45 BST Dicko   76' Report Stadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 9,478
Referee: Robert Lewis
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Wycombe Wanderers (4)0–2 Fulham (2) High Wycombe
19:45 BST Report Piazon   67'
Odoi   81'
Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 3,639
Referee: Gavin Ward
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Reading (2) 2–0Gillingham (3)Reading
20:00 BST Kelly   71', 86' Report Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 5,936
Referee: Brett Huxtable
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Colchester United (4)1–2 Aston Villa (2) Colchester
19:45 BST Kent   39' Report Hogan   7'
Kent   19' (o.g.)
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 6,603
Referee: John Brooks

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the tier for the team during the 2017–18 season.

Second round edit

Entry edit

A total of 50 clubs played in the second round: 15 that entered in this round and the 35 winners from the first round. The 15 clubs entering this round were the 13 clubs from the 2017–18 Premier League not involved in any European competition, plus two clubs from the EFL Championship. The two clubs from the Championship are the two clubs that finished 18th and 19th in the 2016–17 Premier League. The draw for the second round was held on 10 August 2017 and was split on a geographical basis into 'northern' and 'southern' sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.[7][12]

Matches edit

The second round draw was made as follows:[13]

Northern section edit

22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Accrington Stanley (4)1–3 West Bromwich Albion (1) Accrington
19:45 BST Dallison   86' Report Rondón   11'
Phillips   31'
Rodriguez   64'
Stadium: Crown Ground
Attendance: 2,699
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Aston Villa (2) 4–1Wigan Athletic (3)Birmingham
19:45 BST Hogan   19', 44'
Adomah   36'
Bjarnason   74'
Report Colclough   43' Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 18,108
Referee: Darren Drysdale
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Bolton Wanderers (2) 3–2Sheffield Wednesday (2)Bolton
20:00 BST Dervite   42'
Armstrong   57' (pen.)
Karacan   64'
Report Rhodes   76', 83' Stadium: Macron Stadium
Attendance: 6,385
Referee: David Webb
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Carlisle United (4)1–2 Sunderland (2) Carlisle
19:45 BST Grainger   60' Report Love   25'
Gooch   80'
Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 8,187
Referee: Darren Bond
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Doncaster Rovers (3) 2–0Hull City (2)Doncaster
19:45 BST May   48'
Rowe   54'
Report Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 7,139
Referee: Graham Salisbury
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Leeds United (2) 5–1Newport County (4)Leeds[note 2]
19:45 BST Roofe   44', 49', 65'
Sáiz   78'
Vieira   89'
Report Labadie   33' Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 17,098
Referee: Ross Joyce
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Middlesbrough (2) 3–0Scunthorpe United (3)Middlesbrough
19:45 BST Fábio   17'
Baker   30'
Fletcher   55'
Report Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 12,679
Referee: Andrew Madley
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Sheffield United (2)1–4 Leicester City (1) Sheffield
19:45 BST Lavery   83' Report Gray   52'
Slimani   63', 67'
Musa   90+3'
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 11,280
Referee: Tony Harrington
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Blackburn Rovers (3)0–2 Burnley (1) Blackburn
19:45 BST Report Cork   27'
Brady   45+4'
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 16,313
Referee: Simon Hooper
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Huddersfield Town (1) 2–1Rotherham United (3)Huddersfield
19:45 BST Billing   52' (pen.)
Lolley   54'
Report Ajayi   1' Stadium: Kirklees Stadium
Attendance: 8,290
Referee: Peter Bankes
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Newcastle United (1)2–3 (a.e.t.) Nottingham Forest (2) Newcastle upon Tyne
19:45 BST Mitrović   3'
Aarons   45+1'
Report Cummings   29', 31'
Walker   97'
Stadium: St. James' Park
Attendance: 27,709
Referee: Darren England
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Stoke City (1) 4–0Rochdale (3)Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST Allen   16', 42'
Crouch   29'
Sobhi   80'
Report Stadium: Bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 9,930
Referee: Scott Duncan
12 September 2017 Barnsley (2) 3–2Derby County (2)Barnsley
19:45 BST Jackson   18'
Bradshaw   73'
Hammill   88'
Report Russell   6'
Bennett   39'
Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 7,163
Referee: Eddie Ilderton

Southern section edit

22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Birmingham (2)1–2 Bournemouth (1) Birmingham
19:45 BST Kieftenbeld   11' Report Fraser   46'
Pugh   68'
Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 8,245
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Brighton & Hove Albion (1) 1–0Barnet (4)Brighton
19:45 BST Tilley   53' Report Stadium: Falmer Stadium
Attendance: 11,414
Referee: Steve Martin
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Cardiff City (2)1–2 Burton Albion (2) Cardiff, Wales
19:45 BST Pilkington   76' Report Naylor   26'
Fox   70'
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 5,820
Referee: John Busby
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Crystal Palace (1) 2–1Ipswich Town (2)Selhurst, London
19:30 BST McArthur   76', 84' Report Celina   90+1' Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 9,837
Referee: Andy Davies
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Fulham (2)0–1 Bristol Rovers (3) Fulham, London
19:45 BST Report Harrison   13' Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 6,243
Referee: Dean Whitestone
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Milton Keynes Dons (3)1–4 Swansea City (1) Milton Keynes
19:45 BST Seager   17' Report Fer   19', 60'
Abraham   71'
Ayew   86'
Stadium: Stadium mk
Attendance: 5,162
Referee: Robert Jones
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Norwich City (2) 4–1Charlton Athletic (3)Norwich
19:45 BST Murphy   21', 52'
Watkins   74'
Trybull   89'
Report Novak   5' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,521
Referee: Andy Haines
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Queens Park Rangers (2)1–4 Brentford (2) Shepherd's Bush, London
19:45 BST Furlong   43' Report Borysiuk   10' (o.g.)
Egan   19'
Maupay   32'
Clarke   83'
Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 9,719
Referee: Chris Sarginson
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Reading (2) 3–1 (a.e.t.)Millwall (2)Reading
20:00 BST Bacuna   34'
Evans   105'
Smith   117'
Report Ferguson   37' Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 7,148
Referee: Charles Breakspear
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Watford (1)2–3 Bristol City (2) Watford
19:45 BST Capoue   47'
Mariappa   90+5'
Report Hinds   59'
Reid   67'
Eliasson   90+3'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 9,003
Referee: Tim Robinson
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Cheltenham Town (4)0–2 West Ham United (1) Cheltenham[note 3]
19:45 BST Report Sakho   40'
Ayew   43'
Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 6,259
Referee: Oliver Langford
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Southampton (1)0–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (2) Southampton
19:45 BST Report Batth   67'
Wilson   87'
Stadium: St. Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 17,931
Referee: James Linington

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the tier for the team during the 2017–18 season.

Third round edit

Entry edit

A total of 32 clubs played in the third round: seven that entered in this round and the 25 winners from the second round. The clubs entering in this round were the seven from the 2017–18 Premier League involved in European competition. The draw for the third round was held on 24 August 2017.[14]

Matches edit

The third round draw was made as follows:[15]

19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Aston Villa (2)0–2 Middlesbrough (2) Birmingham
19:45 BST Report Bamford   58' (pen.), 67' Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 11,197
Referee: Steve Martin
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Bournemouth (1) 1–0 (a.e.t.)Brighton & Hove Albion (1)Bournemouth
19:45 BST King   99' Report Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 10,372
Referee: Kevin Friend
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Brentford (2)1–3 Norwich City (2) Brentford, London
19:45 BST Clarke   90+1' Report Vrančić   10' (pen.), 51'
Murphy   68'
Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 4,863
Referee: James Linington
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Bristol City (2) 2–0Stoke City (1)Bristol
19:45 BST Diédhiou   50'
Taylor   60'
Report Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 13,826
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Burnley (1)2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–5 p)
Leeds United (2) Burnley
19:45 BST Wood   89' (pen.)
Brady   90+6'
Report Sacko   80'
Hernández   90+4' (pen.)
Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 11,799
Referee: Darren Bond
Penalties
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Crystal Palace (1) 1–0Huddersfield Town (1)Selhurst, London
19:45 BST Sako   13' Report Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 6,607
Referee: Lee Probert
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Leicester City (1) 2–0Liverpool (1)Leicester
19:45 BST Okazaki   65'
Slimani   78'
Report Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 31,609
Referee: Stuart Attwell
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Reading (2)0–2 Swansea City (1) Reading
20:00 BST Report Mawson   52'
J. Ayew   83'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 8,729
Referee: Andy Davies
19 September 2017 Tottenham Hotspur (1) 1–0Barnsley (2)Wembley, London
20:00 BST Alli   65' Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 23,826
Referee: Tim Robinson
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) West Ham United (1) 3–0Bolton Wanderers (2)Stratford, London
19:45 BST Ogbonna   4'
Sakho   31'
Masuaku   90+4'
Report Stadium: London Stadium
Attendance: 35,806
Referee: Simon Hooper
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Wolverhampton Wanderers (2) 1–0 (a.e.t.)Bristol Rovers (3)Wolverhampton
19:45 BST Enobakhare   98' Report Stadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 12,740
Referee: Tony Harrington
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Arsenal (1) 1–0Doncaster Rovers (3)Holloway, London
19:45 BST Walcott   25' Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 44,064
Referee: Scott Duncan
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Chelsea (1) 5–1Nottingham Forest (2)Fulham, London
19:45 BST Kenedy   13'
Batshuayi   19', 53', 86'
Musonda   40'
Report Darikwa   90+1' Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 40,621
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Everton (1) 3–0Sunderland (2)Liverpool
19:45 BST Calvert-Lewin   38', 51'
Niasse   83'
Report Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: Oliver Langford
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Manchester United (1) 4–1Burton Albion (2)Old Trafford, Manchester
20:00 BST Rashford   5', 17'
Lingard   36'
Martial   60'
Report Dyer   90+1' Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 54,256
Referee: Graham Scott
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) West Bromwich Albion (1)1–2 Manchester City (1) West Bromwich
20:00 BST Yacob   72' Report Sané   3', 77' Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 14,953
Referee: Mike Jones

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the tier for the team during the 2017–18 season.

Fourth round edit

Entry edit

A total of 16 clubs played in the fourth round, all winners from the third round. The draw for the fourth round was held on 20 September 2017.[16]

Matches edit

The fourth round draw was made as follows:[17]

24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Arsenal (1) 2–1 (a.e.t.)Norwich City (2) Holloway, London
19:45 BST Nketiah   85', 96' Report Murphy   34' Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 58,444
Referee: Andrew Madley
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Bournemouth (1) 3–1Middlesbrough (2)Bournemouth
19:45 BST Simpson   49'
Wilson   75' (pen.)
Afobe   83'
Report Tavernier   56' Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 10,254
Referee: Simon Hooper
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Bristol City (2) 4–1Crystal Palace (1)Bristol
19:45 BST Taylor   34'
Đurić   39'
Bryan   60'
O'Dowda   66'
Report Sako   21' Stadium: Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 21,901
Referee: Tim Robinson
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Leicester City (1) 3–1Leeds United (2)Leicester
19:45 BST Iheanacho   30'
Slimani   71'
Mahrez   88'
Report Hernández   26' Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 31,516
Referee: Lee Probert
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Manchester City (1) 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–1 p)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2)Manchester
20:00 BST Report Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 50,755
Referee: Kevin Friend
Penalties
De Bruyne  
Touré  
Sané  
Agüero  
  Bonatini
  N'Diaye
  Coady
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Swansea City (1)0–2 Manchester United (1) Swansea
19:45 BST Report Lingard   21', 59' Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 20,083
Referee: Bobby Madley
25 October 2017 (2017-10-25) Chelsea (1) 2–1Everton (1)Fulham, London
19:45 BST Rüdiger   26'
Willian   90+2'
Report Calvert-Lewin   90+4' Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 40,655
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
25 October 2017 (2017-10-25) Tottenham Hotspur (1)2–3 West Ham United (1) Wembley, London
20:00 BST Sissoko   6'
Alli   37'
Report Ayew   55', 60'
Ogbonna   70'
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 36,168
Referee: Mike Dean

Fifth round edit

Entry edit

A total of eight clubs played in the fifth round, all winners from the fourth round. The fifth round draw was held on 26 October 2017.[18]

Matches edit

19 December 2017 Arsenal (1) 1–0West Ham United (1)Holloway, London
19:45 GMT Welbeck   42' Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 44,741
Referee: Kevin Friend
19 December 2017 Leicester City (1)1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)
Manchester City (1) Leicester
19:45 GMT Vardy   90+7' (pen.) Report B. Silva   26' Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 31,562
Referee: Bobby Madley
Penalties
Fuchs  
Maguire  
Iborra  
Vardy  
Mahrez  
  Gündoğan
  Touré
  Nmecha
  Gabriel Jesus
20 December 2017 Bristol City (2) 2–1Manchester United (1)Bristol
20:00 GMT Bryan   51'
Smith   90+3'
Report Ibrahimović   58' Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 26,088
Referee: Mike Dean
20 December 2017 Chelsea (1) 2–1Bournemouth (1)Fulham, London
19:45 GMT Willian   13'
Morata   90+1'
Report Gosling   90' Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,168
Referee: Lee Mason

Semi-finals edit

Entry edit

A total of four clubs played in the semi-finals, all winners of the fifth round. There was no seeding in this round and the draw was held on 20 December at Ashton Gate immediately after Bristol City knocked out defending champions Manchester United in the 5th round.[19]

Matches edit

The semi-finals were played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home. The team that scored the most goals on aggregate over the two legs advanced to the final. If the aggregate score was level after 90 minutes in the second leg of a semi-final two 15-minute periods of extra time were played each way. If the aggregate score in a semi-final was still level at the end of extra time the tie was decided by the away goals rule, i.e. the team that scored most goals away from home over the two legs advanced. If a semi-final tie was still level, the result was determined by a penalty shoot-out.

The lowest ranked side to reach this stage of the competition was Championship club Bristol City.

First leg edit

9 January 2018 Manchester City (1) 2–1 Bristol City (2) Manchester
19:45 GMT De Bruyne   55'
Agüero   90+2'
Report Reid   44' (pen.) Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 43,426
Referee: Anthony Taylor
10 January 2018 Chelsea (1) 0–0 Arsenal (1) Fulham, London
20:00 GMT Report Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 40,097
Referee: Martin Atkinson

Second leg edit

23 January 2018 Bristol City (2)2–3
(3–5 agg.)
Manchester City (1) Bristol
19:45 GMT Pack   64'
Flint   90+4'
Report Sané   43'
Agüero   49'
De Bruyne   90+6'
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 26,003
Referee: Graham Scott
24 January 2018 Arsenal (1) 2–1
(2–1 agg.)
Chelsea (1)Holloway, London
20:00 GMT Rüdiger   12' (o.g.)
Xhaka   60'
Report Hazard   7' Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 58,964
Referee: Michael Oliver

Final edit

The final was played on 25 February 2018 at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal0–3Manchester City
Report
Attendance: 85,671
Referee: Craig Pawson

Controversies regarding draws edit

There were a number of errors in the draw for the first round. Many fans experienced problems with the sound on the live stream from Thailand, and had to rely on the graphics. However, these contained a number of errors: Charlton Athletic were shown to be drawn in two ties, while a number of other teams including AFC Wimbledon, Brentford, Swindon Town, Norwich City, Forest Green Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Yeovil Town were all shown to have been given wrong draws.[10] The English Football League later issued a statement apologising for the errors that had been made and stating that the draw had not been compromised with all clubs receiving confirmation of their ties.[8]

Confusion also arose over the televised portion of the second round draw, in which four second round matches were announced with the incorrect location.[20] The cup attracted even further criticism for its draws when it was announced that the third round draw would take place in Beijing at 11:15 China Standard Time (04:15 British Summer Time).[21]

Further errors continued for the draw of the fifth round. This was due to technical problems at Twitter, which led to the draw being delayed for over an hour.[22] The draw finally appeared in a pre-recorded video almost two hours late.

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Player Club Goals[23]
1   Josh Murphy Norwich City 4
  Samuel Sáiz Leeds United
  Islam Slimani Leicester City
4   Ché Adams Birmingham City 3
  André Ayew West Ham United
  Michy Batshuayi Chelsea
  Tom Bradshaw Barnsley
  Jason Cummings Nottingham Forest
  Scott Hogan Aston Villa
  Jesse Lingard Manchester United
  Kemar Roofe Leeds United
  Leroy Sané Manchester City

Notes edit

  1. ^ Fixture rearranged after the original tie on 8 August was abandoned due to torrential rain.[9]
  2. ^ a b Although these matches were originally drawn as home ties for Newport County, it was agreed to reverse the fixtures due to ongoing works at Rodney Parade.[10][11]
  3. ^ Although this match was originally drawn as a home tie for West Ham United, it was agreed to reverse the fixture due to the 2017 World Championships in Athletics taking place at London Stadium.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "EFL Cup to be known as Carabao Cup from 2017–18". BBC Sport. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3: Pep Guardiola lifts League Cup as Arsene Wenger's side are swatted aside". The Telegraph. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Bristol City 2–1 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b "EFL Cup first-round draw in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday". BBC Sport. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Premier League and Football League: Ups & downs and European qualification". BBC Sport. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  6. ^ Ziegler, Martyn (7 June 2017). "Video referee trials in England shelved until 2018". The Times. Retrieved 12 June 2017.(subscription required)
  7. ^ a b c "Charlton Athletic seeded in League Cup draw with Aston Villa, Birmingham, Wolves, QPR and Fulham". Archived from the original on 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  8. ^ a b "Carabao Cup: Round One draw confirmed". efl.com. The Football League. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Derby Game Rearranged". grimsby-townfc.co.uk. Grimsby Town FC. 9 August 2017. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  10. ^ a b "EFL Cup first-round draw: Sunderland away to Bury, Forest Green face MK Dons". BBC Sport. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  11. ^ a b "EFL Cup second round draw: EFL Cup second round draw: Southampton to host Wolves". BBC Sport. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Carabao Cup: Clubs to learn Round Two fate". efl.com. The Football League. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Round Two: Confirmed Carabao Cup draw". efl.com. The Football League. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Draw: Carabao Cup Round Three". efl.com. The Football League. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  15. ^ "Draw: Confirmed Carabao Cup Round Three". efl.com. The Football League. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  16. ^ "Draw: Carabao Cup Round Three". The Football League. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Round Four:Draw". efl.com. The Football League. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  18. ^ "Carabao Cup: Bristol City face Man Utd in quarter-finals". BBC Sport. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  19. ^ "Semi-Final: Draw information". EFL. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  20. ^ "EFL Cup second round draw: Southampton to host Wolves". BBC Sport. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  21. ^ "EFL defends decision to stage Carabao Cup draw at 4.15am BST".
  22. ^ "EFL requests 'full explanation' from Twitter over Carabao Cup draw farce". Guardian. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  23. ^ "English League Cup 2017/2018: Top Scorers". World Football. Retrieved 2 December 2016.