EFL Cup: The Complete Guide
Overview
The Carabao Cup, formerly known as the EFL Cup, is an annual knock-out competition in men's association football in England and Wales. The tournament is organized by the English Football League (EFL) and is open to the 92 professional clubs in the Premier League and the EFL Championship.
The competition was established in 1960 as the Football League Cup, replacing the Football League's previous knockout competition, the Sheriff Charity Shield. The Football League Cup was renamed the EFL Cup in 2016, following the rebranding of the Football League as the English Football League.
Format
The EFL Cup is a single-elimination tournament, with all matches played over one leg. The draw for the first round is made in June, with the ties played in August. The fourth round is played in October, the quarter-finals in December, and the semi-finals in January and February. The final is played at Wembley Stadium in London in March.
The winners of the EFL Cup qualify for the UEFA Europa League, the second-tier European club competition. If the winners have already qualified for the UEFA Champions League, the place in the UEFA Europa League goes to the highest-placed Premier League team not already qualified for European competition.
History
The inaugural Football League Cup took place in the 1960–61 season. Aston Villa defeated Rotherham United 3–2 in the final at Wembley Stadium. Liverpool is the most successful club in the competition, having won it nine times. Manchester City is the current holder.
Notable Moments
The EFL Cup has seen some memorable moments over the years, including:
- In 1966, West Bromwich Albion became the first team to win the competition twice in a row.
- In 1976, Manchester United won the competition for the third time in four years.
- In 1987, Aston Villa won the competition for the fourth time in six years.
- In 1990, Arsenal produced a devastating 7-2 victory over Stoke City in the semi-final.
- In 2004, Manchester United became the first team to win the League Cup four times in a row.
Conclusion
The EFL Cup is a prestigious competition that provides a great opportunity for teams to win silverware and qualify for European competition. The tournament has a rich history and has seen some memorable moments over the years.
