It’s like a cough that just won’t go away. The 3rd round of the Carabao Cup, I mean.
I won’t lie, it’s actually been a fantastic round in terms of drama (and results). We’re gonna unpack what happened, but also give you some thoughts on the four fixtures set to happen today.
Last Week’s Ties
For… reasons… four fixtures had to be played last week. Those reasons are UEFA related, because at least one of the two clubs is competing in Europa or Conference League ties THIS week.
Sheffield Wednesday 0 – 1 Grimsby Town
The outlier was the Sheffield Wednesday vs. Grimsby Town tie.
You may remember Grimsby Town from their 2nd round upset of Manchester United; we certainly do. Well, lightning can strike twice, and in different locales, as the Mariners slapped another club above them in the leagues, toppling the beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday by a goal to nil. The Owls are in a heap of financial trouble, and this loss to a League Two squad is yet another blow to the Yorkshire outfit. I heard beloved mascot Ozzie Owl wouldn’t even show his beak after the match.
Crystal Palace 1 (4) – 1 (2) Millwall
Anytime these two play, it’s an event.
Local South London rivals since 1906, it’s a derby few get to witness first hand as the two haven’t shared a league in over 13 years. In this one, the hosts got the edge after a stubborn Lions side forced the Eagles into penalty kicks after a stoppage time header from Ryan Leonard equalized the scoreline. Unfortunately, Palace’s lads hit all four of their spot kicks, and their back-up keeper Walter Benítez, plucked from PSV on a free, stopped two of Millwall’s. Victory to Palace, who maintain their solid run of unbeaten games.
Brentford 1 (4) – 1 (2) Aston Villa
At the time, this result seemed bad.
In light of the wan performance Villa turned in last Sunday, where they drew to a 10-man Sunderland, it’s a DISASTER. This goal was their first of the 2025-26 campaign. For a club that was one measly point from being in the Champions League, a league start of two draws and three losses, coupled with an early dismissal in the Carabao, could result in the manager seeing a pink slip in October.
Swansea 3 – 2 Nottingham Forest
After Ange’s first game as Forest manager he was asked when fans would expect to see the team remade with his vision.
“Wednesday” was his reply. Well, uh, I don’t think this is what he meant. Forest had a 2 – 0 lead at halftime. At regulation it was a 2 – 1 lead. At the final whistle they were losers. Damn. Just damn.
Tuesday, September 23 Fixtures
Barnsley 0 – 6 Brighton & Hove Albion
Seagulls crap all over Barnsley.
Diego Gómez had a first half hat-trick and scored the first in the second as the visitors put in three on either side of halftime.
Burnley 1 – 2 Cardiff City
It’s an early Carabao exit for Burnley after the Bluebirds visit Turf Moor and mount an upset after scoring twice within six minutes during the first half.
Fulham 1 – 0 Cambridge United
Underclassed Cambridge couldn’t muster a shot on goal as Fulham did the minimum to move on to the next round from Emile Smith-Rowe’s 66th minute strike.
Lincoln City 1 – 2 Chelsea
If Red Bull were a sponsor of Chelsea, then today’s match would’ve been a perfect commercial.
A tired, hapless collection of talent enter the dressing room down a goal. Under a brutal tonguelashing from the manager, they all quaff back a steroid drink and explode from the second half whistle to score a brace within three minutes. The Lincoln coach very appropriately applauded the character and energy of his side that nearly brought the world champions to their knees. The world could use a little Impishness.
Wigan Athletic 0 – 2 Wycombe Wanderers
The byline on this one is:
Wycombe Wanderers Waste Wan Wigan.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 – 0 Everton
There is nobody more relieved with this unexpected score than Vitor Pereira.
Despite public outpourings of support from the ownership group, the Portuguese manager had to be feeling the pressure after being the only team to lose all five opening Premier League matches. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone made four saves for the Wolves’ first clean sheet since April 26th.
Wrexham 2 – 0 Reading
Carve another notch into Wrexham’s annals of history.
Nathan Broadhead did the honors first with the right foot, then with the head to lift Wrexham above a feisty and physical Reading side. For the first time in 48 years, the Welsh club have advanced into the 4th round of the EFL Cup.
Liverpool 2 – 1 Southampton
Once again, Liverpool managed to defy fate and eke out a victory in the closing moments.
Southampton proved stout challengers for the champions, once they got over their opening jitters that allowed Alexander Isak a free shot within the box. That one was saved, a later one which came from one poor defensive moment was not. Frederico Chiesa nicked a weak pass from the keeper, delivering to a lurking Isak who calmly struck it home. A slapstick comedy of errors led Southampton to equalize. A Southampton corner was inexplicably headed backwards by Wataru Endo, falling to Shea Charles who had the easiest of tap-ins. Chiesa was the architect of Liverpool’s winner, unselfishly passing to Hugo Ekitiké off the break. The lanky striker celebrated by removing his shirt, which earned him a second yellow and sending off.
Wednesday, September 24
All four fixtures feature League One vs. Premier League sides. Fingers crossed we see some giant killings! All games are streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.
- Huddersfield Town v Manchester City
- Kickoff: 2:45pm ET
- Newcastle United v Bradford City
- Kickoff: 2:45pm ET
- Tottenham Hotspur v Doncaster Rovers
- Kickoff: 2:45pm ET
- Port Vale v Arsenal
- Kickoff: 3:00pm ET
