With the EFL Carabao Cup Round Two being finalised, here’s a roundup of all the huge upsets and key points.
Grimsby Town vs Manchester United
Starting with the biggest cup upset, we saw Grimsby Town beat big hitters Manchester United on penalties after a tight affair at Blundell Park. The Mariners started the game really well and managed to take the lead in the 22nd minute thanks to Charles Vernam. Just 8 minutes later they doubled their lead due to a huge mistake from Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana leaving Tyrell Warren with an open empty net punishing the away side.
Ruben Amorim demanded a response from the Red Devils after half-time, and he got exactly that when a lifeline was given thanks to Bryan Mbeumo with a tidy finish in the 75th minute, and the game was levelled in the 89th minute after a corner found Harry Maguire at the back post to send the game to penalties.
After a very tight penalty-shootout taking the tie to 11 penalties each, the home side ended up being the winners and caused a huge upset after Bryan Mbeumo hit the crossbar resulting in Grimsby Town winning 12-11 on penalties. The Mariners have a very deserved Round 3 draw away against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, which will be a remarkably interesting game to watch as they hope to cause another upset and progress into Round 4 of the EFL Carabao Cup
Birmingham City vs Port Vale
Onto Birmingham City vs Port Vale, we witnessed the Valiants cause another cup upset to take them into Round 3 as they managed to beat the home side 0-1. Port Vale started the first half being the stronger side, as they created quite a few chances and had to call Birmingham City goalkeeper James Beadle into action.
Just before the half-time whistle, Port Vale managed to take the lead thanks to a great header from Jaheim Headley. Managing to hold onto their one-nil lead in the second half, the Valiants managed to beat the Blues due to an excellent defensive display and cause another cup upset. In Round 3, they have drawn Arsenal at home where they will be looking at the prospect of causing another cup upset
Stoke City vs Bradford City
Stoke City hosted Bradford City with both sides making plenty of changes in an attempt to make it into round three. However, it was the Bantams who managed to progress in the Carabao Cup with an impressive 0-3 victory. Starting the game very strongly, the away side managed to take an early lead in the 12th minute thanks to Will Swan with a great header, and their lead was doubled with a great finish from Brad Halliday.
As the second half began, the away side made their expectations of making it into Round 3 very clear, as they managed to finish the game off with a third goal in the 62nd minute from George Lapslie. After being drawn in the third round of the EFL Carabao Cup, Bradford City managed to get a very impressive away draw against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United
Sheffield Wednesday next faced Leeds United at home in the Second Round of their Carabao Cup Run, as they also managed to cause an upset and progress into Round 3 on penalties against the Premier League side. With no side managing to break the deadlock in the first half, the game was bound to finally get its first goal, and that arrived for the home side in the 63rd minute which was mainly caused by the mistake of the Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow unable to catch the ball and watched it end up in his own net.
Shortly after, the away side managed to reply in the 81st minute with Jayden Bogle firing the ball through Horvath’s legs and levelling the game. With the game going to penalties, it was the home side who turned out to be the winners, with Leeds United failing to find the net at all in the shootout. After winning 3-0 on penalties, Sheffield Wednesday had been drawn against Grimsby Town at home in the third round, with the hope of progressing further in the cup.
Reading vs AFC Wimbledon
Reading faced AFC Wimbledon at home, as they also managed to beat them 2-1 to progress into the next round. The Royals managed to take the lead in the 24th minute with a great finish from Liam Fraser, however was cancelled out just two minutes later due to Omar Bugiel levelling the game for the away side.
The vital moment in the game throughout the second half landed to Mamadi Camara in the 70th minute as he managed to send the Royals into Round 3 as he managed to get onto the scoresheet. Reading managed to draw Wrexham away at the Racecourse in Round 3 of the Carabao Cup, as they hope to carry on their cup run in the hopes of progressing into Round 4.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
Cambridge United beat Charlton Athletic 3-1 in their Second Round clash, as the home side got themselves a ticket into Round 3. James Brophy opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a tidy finish finding the net, and loan signing Kylian Kouassi managed to use his excellent strength to sweep home a second goal for the League Two club.
However, on the stroke of half-time, a well-placed finish from Ibrahim Fullah gave Charlton a lifeline back into the game. Ten minutes into the second half, Cambridge United managed to grab their place in Round 3 with a third goal on the night coming from Zak Bradshaw, as salt went into the wounds of Charlton Athletic in the last minute of the game after Karoy Anderson was handed a red card due to a high boot. Cambridge United find themselves away to Premier League side Fulham in an impressive Third Round draw.
Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion managed to book their place in Round 3 in superb style against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. Olivier Boscagli managed to open the scoring for the away side in the 13th minute, which was followed by a second just 7 minutes later from Brajan Gruda. In the 60th minute, Brighton got their third, and more goals kept firing in from the away side as they eventually managed to end the game in a very entertaining 0-6 away victory with late goals coming from Stefanos Tzimas and Tom Watson. Brighton draw Barnsley away at Oakwell, in the hopes of repeating their impressive performance in the Carabao Cup.
Fulham vs Bristol City
Fulham managed to beat Championship side Bristol City in a comfortable 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage to progress into Round 3. With an early own goal from the away side gifting Fulham with an early 1-0 lead, Raul Jimenez shortly doubled this just 13 minutes later as they made sure they were in the hat for round 3. Managing to hold out their 2-0 lead, they managed to progress into Round 3, as Fulham were drawn at home against League Two side Cambridge United
Wolves vs West Ham United
Wolves faced West Ham United in an all-Premier League tie, as the home side came out winners in an entertaining 3-2 victory after coming from behind. The game looked to be heading level at the halfway mark, until Rodrigo Gomes gave Wolves the lead on the stroke of half-time. West Ham managed to reply very quickly in the second half as they equalised thanks to Thomas Soucek, and soon took the lead with a tidy finish from Lucas Paqueta in the 63rd minute.
However, the home side found a way to equalise the game in the late stages due to a goal from Jorgen Strand Larsen, and a couple of minutes later the forward managed to gain a brace and turn the game around for Wolverhampton Wanderers as they came out 3-2 winners into Round 3 where they will face fellow Premier League side Everton at the Molineux
Everton vs Mansfield Town
Everton took on Mansfield Town in their first cup game at their new ground as they managed to progress into Round 3 in a 2-0 victory. The Stags were doing well to hold on in the first half and keep the Toffees out of their net, but they could no longer hold onto the game as the home side finally got their reward in the 51st minute with a great finish on the edge of the box from Carlos Alcaraz. In the 89th minute, Beto finished off the game and got his side into Round 3 of the Carabao Cup, where they drew against Wolverhampton Wanderers away at the Molineux
Millwall vs Coventry City
Millwall were up against Coventry at the Den, as they were 2-1 winners in the Round 2 cup tie. Massimo Luongo took the lead for the home side in the 33rd minute, and they doubled their lead in the 76th minute thanks to Kamarl Antonio Grant as it seemed like they were heading to Round 3. However a lifeline was given to Coventry as a penalty from Haji Wright halved the lead, however wasn’t enough to stop Millwall progressing into Round 3 of the Carabao cup where they will face Crystal Palace at the Den.
Barnsley vs Rotherham United
Barnsley took on fellow League One side Rotherham United at Oakwell, where they progressed into Round 3 with a 2-1 win over the away side. It was the away side who took the lead inside 19th minutes with Ar’Jany Martha finding the net, however was cancelled out a couple of minutes into the second half due to Jon Russell equalising for Barnsley. Just 9 minutes later, Adam Phillips took the lead for the first time in the game leading the home side to hold out to a 2-1 victory over Rotherham United and progress into Round 3, where they take on Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion in Round 3
Burton Albion vs Lincoln City
Burton Albion faced Lincoln City at the Pirelli Stadium as the away side managed to nick a late goal in the late stages of the game as Ben House sent the Imps into the hat for Round 3. Lincoln find themselves in a very impressive cup draw at home against Chelsea at home as they plan to cause a huge cup upset in Round 3
Sunderland vs Huddersfield Town
Sunderland were at home against League One opposition Huddersfield Town at the Stadium of Light, as it was the away side who caused the cup upset on penalties and progressed into Round 3. In the 9th minute of the game, the perfect start to the game was handed to the Terriers as an excellent volley from Leo Castledine gave the away side the 0-1 lead.
Doing well to hold onto the 0-1 lead, it was only a matter of time before Sunderland responded and that was in the 84th minute where a header from Marc Guiu found the back of the net to take the game to penalties. After a tight penalty shootout, it was Huddersfield Town who managed to progress into Round 3 after beating the Premier League side 5-6. Huddersfield Town drew Manchester City at home in another huge cup draw with a chance to cause another huge upset to the Premier League big hitters.
Norwich City vs Southampton
Norwich City faced Southampton at Carrow Road, as they were knocked out by the Saints in an emphatic 0-3 victory for the away side. Cameron Archer was the first one on the scoresheet in the 42nd minute, and their lead was doubled just 20 minutes later from Ryan Fraser as they were heading into round 3 of the Carabao Cup. The Saints put an end to the game as they found a third in the 81st minute from Kuryu Matsuki as they were in the hat for Round 3. Southampton were drawn against Liverpool at Anfield in a difficult affair in which they will attempt to reach Round 4.
Preston vs Wrexham
Preston faced Wrexham at home, as they couldn’t prevent the away side reaching Round 3 in an entertaining 2-3 defeat. Preston took the lead in the early doors due to a great finish from Lewis Dobbin, which was instantly replied with an equalising goal from Ryan Hardie. Liam Lindsie retook the lead for the home side, however once again Harry Ashfield equalised the game for the away side. In the dying moments of the game, Kieffer Moore managed to win the game for Wrexham in the 92nd minute and send them into Round 3 where they will face Reading at home.
Burnley vs Derby County
Burnley faced Derby County at home, as they managed to edge past them in the last minute of the game to win 2-1. An early goal from Aaron Ramsey in the 4th minute gave the Clarets the lead, before a reply from Derby in the 35th minute thanks to Bobby Clark equalised the game. Looking like it was heading to penalties, the deciding moment was handed to Burnley as Oliver Sonne won the game for the home side in additional time and got them into the draw for Round 3, where they will face Cardiff City at home
Wigan Athletic vs Stockport County
Wigan Athletic took on Stockport County, as they found a way to progress into Round 3 with a late goal from Fraser Murray in the 84th minute leading them into the hat for the next round where they will take on Wycombe Wanderers at the Brick Community Stadium
Swansea City vs Plymouth Argyle
Swansea took on Plymouth Argyle at home, as they edged past the away side on penalties after a tight 1-1 affair to get themselves into the hat for Round 3. The home side started the game well and got their reward in the 22nd minute when they found a way to open the score sheet. However, new signing Brendan Wiredu levelled the game on the stroke of half-time with a great finish finding the back of the net. With neither side finding a winner, the game was sent to penalties as it was Swansea City who won the shootout 5-3 as they progressed into Round 3 taking on Nottingham Forest in a difficult tie.
Bournemouth vs Brentford
Bournemouth played Brentford in their second round ties, as it was the away side who found a way to progress into Round 3 with a comfortable 0-2 win. Fabio Carvalho took the lead for the away side in the 34th minute, which was doubled in the second half by Thiago in the 65th minute to send them into Round three of the Carabao Cup. Brentford will face Aston Villa at home in Round 3 with the attempt to make it through to Round 4.
Bromley vs Wycombe Wanderers
League Two side Bromley faced Wycombe Wanderers as they were unable to cause another upset due to edging out on penalties 4-5 after a tight 1-1 affair. It was the away side who took the lead just 5 minutes into the game, with Westergaard taking the lead, however was cancelled out due to Jude Arthers equalising for the home side.
With both sides unable to find a winner, the game was sent to penalties as it was the away team who managed to progress into Round 3 after managing to beat Bromley in a tight 4-5 shoot-out win. Wycombe face Stockport away in Round 3 of the Carabao Cup as they attempt to start a cup run under the Carabao Cup.
Cardiff City vs Cheltenham Town
Cardiff City faced Cheltenham Town as they managed to ease through into Round 4 with a 3-0 win. The Bluebirds managed to take the lead in the 11th minute thanks to a goal from Isaak Davies, as Callum Chambers doubled their lead in the 32nd minute to give them a huge advantage in the game. Cardiff were confirmed in Round 3 of the Carabao Cup after a third goal from Joel Colwill in the 51st minute, as they face Burnley away at Turf Moor
Accrington Stanley vs Doncaster Rovers
Accrington Stanley faced Doncaster Rovers at home, as they were unable to progress further into the Carabao Cup after losing 0-2. Neither side managed to find the net, until a red card was handed to Josh Woods led the home side to have 10 men, and was capitalised on by Owen Bailey taking the lead for the away side. Shortly after, Ben Close doubled the lead and sent them through into Round 3 as they had the huge draw of facing Tottenham Hotspur away.
