Carabao Cup: The most astonishing scorelines in competition's history
As the EFL Cup returns, we look back at some of the wildest games, high-scoring thrillers, and record-breaking penalty shootouts in the competition's history.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Author: @cfcunofficial (Chelsea Debs) London
The Carabao Cup is back. While many clubs use the early rounds to rotate their squads and blood young talent, the nature of the competition often leads to staggering scorelines and dramatic upsets that remain etched in football folklore.
The competition has witnessed some truly bizarre encounters. In 2014, Dagenham & Redbridge and Brentford played out a 6-6 thriller before the visitors won on penalties. Aston Villa's 8-3 comeback victory against Wycombe Wanderers in 2005 remains a classic, with Villa scoring seven times after trailing 3-1 at the break.
Historical dominance has also been a feature, notably when West Ham United put 10 past Bury in 1983, or when Liverpool dismantled Fulham 10-0 in 1986. More recently, Arsenal's miraculous 7-5 recovery against Reading in 2012 showcased the sheer unpredictability of the cup, as the Gunners overcame a four-goal deficit.
Even when games are tight, the drama remains. In 2024, Preston North End and Fulham set a new record for the longest penalty shootout in competition history, with Preston eventually prevailing 16-15 after 34 spot-kicks were taken.