Carabao Cup

Carabao Cup news

PEP GUARDIOLA MANCHESTER CITY

Injury blow for City as youngster is forced off against Brentford

Manchester City suffered an injury blow during their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Brentford as youngster Oscar Bobb was forced off early with a knock. Bobb missed the majority of the 2024-25 campaign after being sidelined with a broken leg. The Norwegian winger only returned to action this March but in the current season, he has experienced limited game time under Pep Guardiola.

Man City GFX

Who needs Haaland?! Sublime Cherki leads City into semis

Manchester City cruised into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup as Rayan Cherki inspired them to a 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday. The France international opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the first half before a deflected effort from Savinho secured a spot in the final four for Pep Guardiola's side, while Erling Haaland was able to put his feet up and watch on from the bench.

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Chelsea Cardiff 16:9

Super-subs Garnacho & Neto rescue unconvincing Chelsea

Unconvincing Chelsea squeezed past Cardiff City to land a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a scrappy 3-1 victory over the League One outfit in South Wales. The Blues were woeful in the first-half, but the introduction of subsitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto proved the difference between the two sides as Enzo Maresca’s side sealed the tie with three second-half goals.

Real Madrid C.F. v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6

Pep confirms Doku injury blow & reveals Trafford transfer stance

Manchester City star Jeremy Doku has been ruled out of the club's Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Brentford and is set to miss the bulk of the festive programme. Pep Guardiola confirmed that the Belgian winger is still recovering from the leg injury that kept him out of City's win at Crystal Palace over the weekend, while also discussing the future of back-up goalkeeper James Trafford ahead of the January window.

Cole Palmer Enzo Maresca

Maresca makes Palmer selection call ahead of Carabao Cup clash

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has made a big Cole Palmer selection call ahead of the club's upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Cardiff City in midweek. In what has been an injury-hit 2025-26 campaign for the Blues and England playmaker, Palmer opened the scoring in Maresca’s side's 2-0 victory over Everton last weekend in the Premier League.

Sunderland v Arsenal - Premier League

Premier League approves Arsenal request to push forward Everton clash

The Premier League has approved Arsenal's application for their game against Everton on December 21 to be pushed forward after Mikel Arteta complained about fixture congestion. With the Gunners progressing to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where they are scheduled to face Crystal Palace on December 23, the club wanted to avoid playing two matches in the span of just three days.

James McClean Wrexham 2025-26

Wrexham star McClean explains why he punched fan

James McClean has explained how and why he ended up punching a Cardiff fan during a car park altercation. The veteran winger was put in an uncomfortable position as Wrexham faced fierce Welsh rivals in a Carabao Cup derby clash. With emotions running high at the Racecourse, tempers boiled over behind the scenes - leading to McClean being forced to lash out.

Crystal Palace FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Arsenal & Palace make requests to PL after Carabao Cup draw

Arsenal and Crystal Palace have both made requests to the Premier League regarding fixture congestion after the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw caused a headache. The festive season is supposed to be the highlight of the English football calendar, with packed stadiums and Boxing Day drama. But this December, fixture scheduling has been a sticking point for the league authorities as teams complain of a lack of breathing space.

James McClean Wrexham 2025-26

Wrexham's McClean allegedly punched Cardiff fan in car park confrontation

Wrexham star James McClean was reportedly involved in a bust-up with a Cardiff fan before the Carabao Cup loss to their Welsh rivals last week. The incident is believed to have taken place in the car park outside the Racecourse Ground, where the Irishman allegedly punched a fan in self-defence, before continuing on and turning out for his club later that evening.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Slot defends selection after Liverpool dumped out of Carabao Cup

Arne Slot defended his decision to field a severely inexperienced side on Wednesday night as Liverpool were soundly beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace to exit the Carabao Cup at the fourth-round stage. Only a handful of first-team regulars were involved and multiple played out of their natural position as Slot made 10 changes to his starting XI ahead of what the Dutchman called a "big week".

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'Disrespectful' - Glasner hits back at Liverpool claim

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner hit back fiercely at suggestions that his side’s 3-0 Carabao Cup demolition of Liverpool came against a weakened team, insisting it would be "disrespectful" to the players Arne Slot fielded at Anfield. The Eagles booked their spot in the fifth round thanks to a first-half brace from Ismaila Sarr and a clinical late strike from Yeremy Pino, as Palace ran riot in front of a stunned Kop. While Liverpool fielded an inexperienced lineup, Glasner refused to let that diminish his team’s victory, claiming the Reds’ squad was still full of world-class quality.

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'Embarrassing!' - Maresca accuses Delap after red card

Enzo Maresca has expressed his frustration at Chelsea striker Liam Delap after the Blues frontman was dismissed for two yellow cards within seven minutes as Chelsea hung on to win 4-3 in a tense Carabao Cup encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Delap had been out injured since August but had an unsavoury return to action as he pushed Yerson Mosquera then barged into Emmanuel Agbadou to earn his marching orders in the 86th minute.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Slot told he's 'disconnected' from Liverpool after cup humiliation

Liverpool were unceremoniously dumped out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night as Crystal Palace eased to a 3-0 win at Anfield. Reds boss Arne Slot made 10 changes from the team that lost at Brentford on Saturday night as an inexperienced side were no match for the high-flying Eagles. Supporters, though, have made their feelings on Slot known after a poor showing.

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Delap labelled a 'thug' as striker collects Chelsea's latest red card

Chelsea booked their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night but they had to work hard to ease past Wolves. Indeed, the Blues were 3-0 up at the break and barely survived a late onslaught as they progressed following a 4-3 win at Molineux. However, supporters were quick to criticise Liam Delap, who was sent off on his first appearance since August.

Liverpool Palace ratings GFX

What was Slot thinking?! Gamble backfires in Carabao loss

Liverpool slumped to another damaging, dismal defeat as Arne Slot’s side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup, beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace while finishing the match with 10 players on a dire night at Anfield. Slot made sweeping changes to the team which was defeated by Brentford, with one eye on the clash with Aston Villa this weekend, but the fringe players and academy hopefuls were thoroughly outclassed by Oliver Glasner's side.

Rayan Cherki Omar Marmoush Man City HIC

Cherki & Marmoush inspire Haaland-less City to victory

Rayan Cherki showed his class to inspire Manchester City to a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Swansea as Pep Guardiola's side booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. The French playmaker was City's top performer in an underwhelming display overall against the Championship side, who took the lead through a spectacular goal from Goncalo Franco.

Arsenal Brighton GFX

Dowman is the truth! Hale End stars send Arsenal through

Arsenal booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory at home to Brighton on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka saw Mikel Arteta's men into the next round, with several young players impressing for the Gunners after weathering an early Seagulls storm.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Slot explains youthful Liverpool Carabao Cup XI vs Crystal Palace

Arne Slot has explained his team selection as Liverpool named a young Carabao Cup XI for the visit of Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Slot has overseen a run of five defeats from six heading into the midweek meeting with the Eagles but rather than use the game as a chance to return to winning ways, the Dutchman followed in predecessor Jurgen Klopp's footsteps and named an inexperienced side.

Arsenal v Leeds United - Premier League

Dowman makes more Arsenal history in Carabao Cup vs Brighton

Max Dowman made Arsenal history in their Carabao Cup clash with fellow Premier League side Brighton. Mikel Arteta made wholesale changes for their meeting with the Seagulls as the Gunners look to secure their place in the next round of the competition as the likes of Kepa, Ben White and Piero Hincapie come into the side. However, it's Dowman's inclusion that will go down in the record books.

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VAR could undergo radical change to review second yellow cards

Football's lawmakers will discuss giving VAR the power to review second yellow cards at a meeting in January. The International Football Association Board's (IFAB) advisory group has confirmed the proposal will be submitted, which would expand VAR's remit beyond its current limitation of only reviewing straight red cards. The move is based on the idea that second yellow cards are often match-changing decisions which should be subject to review.

Andre Onana Grimsby Brentford

Man Utd fans enjoy Grimsby's Carabao Cup loss to Brentford

Manchester United supporters very much enjoyed Grimsby Town's downfall as the League Two side crashed out of the Carabao Cup after losing 5-0 against Brentford on Tuesday. Grimsby fans were on cloud nine only a couple of months ago after they dumped the Red Devils out of the competition following an epic penalty shootout win over the Premier League giants. Goalkeeper Andre Onana in particular had a nightmare outing and was later loaned out to Turkey.

Wrexham v Cardiff City - Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Wrexham out of Carabao Cup after goal from ex-Man Utd star

In the battle of North Wales versus South Wales, Wrexham fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, with the latter advancing to the quarter-finals. A 71st-minute strike from former Manchester United defender Will Fish made the difference in the end, after Red Dragons substitute Kieffer Moore had earlier cancelled out Yousef Salech's opener for the Bluebirds.

Wiliam Saliba Gabriel Martinelli

Saliba & Martinelli become latest Arsenal injury casualties

Arsenal have been dealt with a fresh injury blow with star players William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli ruled out of action for their upcoming game with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup. The duo, along with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, picked up problems in their last Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace, which the Gunners won 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Huddersfield Town v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Third Round

Guardiola kills hopes of 'unbelievable guy' Phillips

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips won't feature in his starting lineup for their upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Swansea City, despite the midfielder returning to action in the same competition against Huddersfield Town in September. Phillips is hoping to get more game time after featuring for just seven minutes for the Cityzens in the 2025-26 campaign.

Frequently asked questions

Egypt are the team who have won the most AFCON titles in history, with seven to their name. It was in 1957, the inaugural edition of AFCON, where Egypt attained glory. They would go on to add three more trophies before the turn of the century (1957, 1986, 1998), before completing a threepeat in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

The first-ever AFCON featured just three teams. Between 1968 and 1990, eight teams featured in the tournament. An expansion in 1992 saw 12 teams feature in AFCON, and 16 from 1998. The latest expansion in 2019, though, sees 24 teams fight for glory.

Cameroon legend Rigobert Song set the record of most AFCON appearances in 2010, playing in his 36th game in the tournament. That record was equalled by Ghanaian icon Andre Ayew in 2024.

Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o leads the all-time goalscoring charts with an impressive 18 goals over the course of 29 matches during six different tournaments.

Egypt's Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to play in AFCON at the age of 44 years and 21 days. He achieved this feat in 2017 during Egypt's 2-1 loss to Cameroon.

Former Ghana defender Joseph Odoi made his AFCON debut in 1984 at the age of 15 years and 164 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the African Cup of Nations.

Samuel Eto'o, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sadio Mane, Roger Milla, Ahmed Hassan, George Weah, etc, are some of the biggest names to have featured in the African Cup of Nations.

Charles Gyamfi, Hassan Shehata, Herve Renard, and Avram Grant are some of the most famous coaches to have led their respective teams at AFCON.