The 2021–22 EFL Cup was the 62nd season of the EFL Cup (known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons). The competition was open to all clubs participating in the Premier League and the English Football League.

2021–22 EFL Cup
Carabao Cup, League Cup
Tournament details
CountryEngland
Wales
Dates31 July 2021 – 27 February 2022
Teams92
Defending championsManchester City
Final positions
ChampionsLiverpool (9th title)
Runner-upChelsea
Tournament statistics
Matches played93
Goals scored256 (2.75 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Marcus Forss
Eddie Nketiah
(5 goals each)

The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League.[1]

The competition began on 31 July 2021, and the final was played at Wembley Stadium on 27 February 2022 between Chelsea and Liverpool,[2] with Liverpool winning a record ninth title 11–10 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra time.[3]

Manchester City were the holders, having won the previous four editions, but they were eliminated by West Ham United on penalties in the fourth round.

Access

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All 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League entered the season's EFL Cup. Access was distributed across the top 4 leagues of the English football league system. For the first two rounds, the draw was regionalised into northern and southern clubs.

In the first round, 22 of 24 Championship clubs, and all League One and League Two clubs entered.

The following round, the two remaining Championship clubs, who finished 18th and 19th in the 2020–21 Premier League season (Fulham and West Bromwich Albion), and the Premier League clubs not involved in either the Champions League, Europa League, or Europa Conference League entered.

Clubs entering in this round Clubs advancing from previous round Number of games
First round
(70 clubs)
  • 24 clubs from EFL League Two
  • 24 clubs from EFL League One
  • 22 clubs from EFL Championship
  • N/A
35
Second round
(50 clubs)
  • 2 clubs from EFL Championship
  • 13 Premier League clubs (not involved in European competition)
  • 35 winners from first round
25
Third round
(32 clubs)
  • 7 Premier League clubs (involved in European competition)
  • 25 winners from second round
16
Fourth round
(16 clubs)
  • No clubs enter the fourth round
  • 16 winners from third round
8
Quarter-finals
(8 clubs)
  • No clubs enter the quarter-finals
  • 8 winners from fourth round
4
Semi-finals
(4 clubs)
  • No clubs enter the semi-finals
  • 4 winners from fifth round
4 (two-legged)
Final
(2 clubs)
  • No clubs enter the final
  • 2 winners from semi-finals
1

First round

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A total of 70 clubs played in the first round: 24 from League Two (tier 4), 24 from League One (tier 3), and 22 from the Championship (tier 2). The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into 'northern' and 'southern' sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.

Northern section

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1 August 2021 Sheffield Wednesday (3)0–0
(2–4 p)
Huddersfield Town (2) Sheffield
13:00 BST Report Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 12,860
Referee: Darren Bond
Penalties
10 August 2021 Barrow (4) 1–0Scunthorpe United (4)Barrow-in-Furness
19:45 BST Sea   50' Report Stadium: Holker Street
Attendance: 1,320
Referee: Oliver Langford
10 August 2021 Blackburn Rovers (2)1–2 Morecambe (3) Blackburn
19:45 BST Dolan   22' Report
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 5,283
Referee: Steve Martin
10 August 2021 Bolton Wanderers (3) 0–0
(5–4 p)
Barnsley (2)Horwich
19:45 BST Report Stadium: University of Bolton Stadium
Attendance: 7,147
Referee: Ollie Yates
Penalties
Sarcevic  
Isgrove  
Bakayoko  
Kachunga  
Sheehan  
  Benson
  Kane
  Helik
  J. Williams
  Cole
10 August 2021 Derby County (2) 3–3
(5–3 p)
Salford City (4)Derby
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Pride Park Stadium
Attendance: 4,747
Referee: James Bell
Penalties
Shinnie  
Kazim-Richards  
Brown  
Forsyth  
Watson  
  Morris
  Burgess
  Touray
  Lund
10 August 2021[a] Harrogate Town (4)w/o Rochdale (4) Harrogate
19:45 BST Stadium: Wetherby Road
10 August 2021 Hartlepool United (4)0–1 Crewe Alexandra (3) Hartlepool
19:45 BST Report Ainley   50' Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 3,149
Referee: Thomas Bramall
10 August 2021 Hull City (2)1–1
(7–8 p)
Wigan Athletic (3) Kingston upon Hull
19:45 BST Lewis-Potter   55' Report Humphrys   50' Stadium: MKM Stadium
Attendance: 4,139
Referee: Martin Coy
Penalties
Eaves  
Scott  
Wood  
Emmanuel  
M. Smith  
Jarvis  
Fleming  
Bernard  
  Keane
  Aasgaard
  Jo. Jones
  Massey
  Naylor
  Ja. Jones
  Robinson
  Cousins
10 August 2021 Mansfield Town (4)0–3 Preston North End (2) Mansfield
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 2,526
Referee: Ross Joyce
10 August 2021 Oldham Athletic (4) 2–2
(4–3 p)
Tranmere Rovers (4)Oldham
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 2,684
Referee: Scott Oldham
Penalties
Hart  
Keillor-Dunn  
Jameson  
Stobbs  
Adams  
  Spearing
  Glatzel
  Morris
  Clarke
  Dieseruvwe
10 August 2021 Port Vale (4)1–2 Sunderland (3) Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST Proctor   67' Report
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 3,267
Referee: Sam Allison
10 August 2021 Rotherham United (3)1–2 Accrington Stanley (3) Rotherham
19:45 BST Sadlier   76' Report
Stadium: New York Stadium
Attendance: 3,131
Referee: Will Finnie
10 August 2021 Sheffield United (2) 1–0Carlisle United (4)Sheffield
19:45 BST Brewster   24' Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 6,778
Referee: James Oldham
10 August 2021 Shrewsbury Town (3) 2–2
(4–2 p)
Lincoln City (3)Shrewsbury
19:45 BST Udoh   69', 79' Report
Stadium: New Meadow
Attendance: 2,069
Referee: Andy Haines
Penalties
10 August 2021 Stoke City (2) 2–1Fleetwood Town (3)Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST
Report Chester   90+4' (o.g.) Stadium: Bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 4,694
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
10 August 2021 Walsall (4)0–0
(3–4 p)
Doncaster Rovers (3) Walsall
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 2,384
Referee: John Busby
Penalties
Wilkinson  
Phillips  
Osadebe  
Earing  
Kiernan  
Ward  
Kinsella  
  Gardner
  Close
  Cukur
  E. Williams
  Barlow
  Anderson
  Knoyle
11 August 2021 Blackpool (2) 3–0Middlesbrough (2)Blackpool
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 5,836
Referee: Bobby Madley
11 August 2021 Nottingham Forest (2) 2–1Bradford City (4)West Bridgford
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 9,514
Referee: Peter Wright

Southern section

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31 July 2021 Bournemouth (2) 5–0Milton Keynes Dons (3)Bournemouth
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 5,746
Referee: Sam Purkiss
10 August 2021 Birmingham City (2) 1–0Colchester United (4)Birmingham
19:45 BST Oakley   75' Report Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 6,199
Referee: Declan Bourne
10 August 2021 Bristol Rovers (4)0–2 Cheltenham Town (3) Bristol
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 2,409
Referee: Lee Swabey
10 August 2021 Cambridge United (3) 0–0
(3–1 p)
Swindon Town (4)Cambridge
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 1,825
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Penalties
Ironside  
Smith  
Williams  
  Payne
  McKirdy
  Reed
  Hunt
10 August 2021 Cardiff City (2) 3–2Sutton United (4)Cardiff
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 3,505
Referee: Josh Smith
10 August 2021 Charlton Athletic (3)0–1 AFC Wimbledon (3) Charlton
19:45 BST Report Osew   26' Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 3,372
Referee: Robert Lewis
10 August 2021 Crawley Town (4)2–2
(9–10 p)
Gillingham (3) Crawley
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 1,904
Referee: Paul Howard
Penalties
Francomb  
Dallison  
Craig  
Powell  
Nadesan  
Hessenthaler  
Tilley  
Ferry  
Davies  
Francillette  
  Lee
  Oliver
  Lloyd
  Phillips
  O'Keefe
  Tutonda
  Maghoma
  Sithole
  Ehmer
  Lintott
10 August 2021 Exeter City (4)0–0
(3–4 p)
Wycombe Wanderers (3) Exeter
19:45 BST Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 2,555
Referee: David Rock
Penalties
Sparkes  
Sweeney  
Seymour  
J. Brown  
Grounds  
Dodd  
  Vokes
  Horgan
  Samuel
  Mehmeti
  Stockdale
  Pendlebury
10 August 2021 Forest Green Rovers (4) 2–2
(6–5 p)
Bristol City (2)Nailsworth
19:45 BST
Report Janneh   39', 67' Stadium: The New Lawn
Attendance: 2,554
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Penalties
Matt  
Young  
Hendry  
Adams  
Cadden  
Stevenson  
Sweeney  
  Palmer
  Massengo
  Wells
  Conway
  Bakinson
  Janneh
  Pring
10 August 2021 Ipswich Town (3)0–1 Newport County (4) Ipswich
19:45 BST Report Abraham   4' Stadium: Portman Road
Attendance: 6,144
Referee: Neil Hair
10 August 2021 Millwall (2) 2–1Portsmouth (3)Bermondsey
19:45 BST
Report Hackett-Fairchild   4' Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 7,915
Referee: Charles Breakspear
10 August 2021 Peterborough United (2)0–4 Plymouth Argyle (3) Peterborough
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: London Road Stadium
Attendance: 4,021
Referee: Ben Toner
10 August 2021 Reading (2)0–3 Swansea City (2) Reading
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 4,989
Referee: Samuel Barrott
10 August 2021 Stevenage (4) 2–2
(3–0 p)
Luton Town (2)Stevenage
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 3,052
Referee: Andy Woolmer
Penalties
Lines  
James-Wildin  
Reeves  
  Cornick
  Mendes Gomes
  Pereira
11 August 2021 Burton Albion (3)1–1
(2–4 p)
Oxford United (3) Burton upon Trent
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 1,868
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
Penalties
Akins  
Shaughnessy  
O'Connor  
Blake-Tracy  
  Sykes
  Forde
  Agyei
  Mousinho
11 August 2021 Coventry City (2)1–2 Northampton Town (4) Coventry
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 5,284
Referee: Ben Speedie
11 August 2021 Leyton Orient (4)1–1
(3–5 p)
Queens Park Rangers (2) Leyton
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 4,071
Referee: Craig Hicks
Penalties
Drinan  
Sotiriou  
James  
Kemp  
  Dykes
  Ball
  Dozzell
  Kelman
  Adomah

Second round

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A total of 50 clubs played in the second round: the 35 winners from the first round, the 2 clubs from the Championship (tier 2) who did not enter in the first round, plus the 13 Premier League clubs who were not in European competition. The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into 'northern' and 'southern' sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section. The draw was held on 11 August 2021 after the conclusion of the first round tie between Leyton Orient and Queens Park Rangers, live on Sky Sports and it was made by Andy Townsend and Jobi McAnuff at 21:15 BST.[5]

Northern section

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24 August 2021 Oldham Athletic (4) 0–0
(5–4 p)
Accrington Stanley (3)Oldham
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 2,362
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge
Penalties
Hart  
Keillor-Dunn  
Bahamboula  
Whelan  
Adams  
Luamba  
  Sykes
  Charles
  Morgan
  Savin
  Leigh
  Butcher
24 August 2021 Wigan Athletic (3) 0–0
(5–4 p)
Bolton Wanderers (3)Wigan
19:45 BST Report Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 11,660
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Penalties
Power  
Aasgaard  
Jo. Jones  
Naylor  
Humphrys  
Ja. Jones  
  Doyle
  Sarcevic
  Lee
  Afolayan
  Sheehan
  Delfouneso
24 August 2021 Huddersfield Town (2)1–2 Everton (1) Huddersfield
19:45 BST Lees   45' Report
Stadium: John Smith's Stadium
Attendance: 10,459
Referee: Matt Donohue
24 August 2021 Sheffield United (2) 2–1Derby County (2)Sheffield
19:45 BST
Report Sibley   44' Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 7,973
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
24 August 2021 Stoke City (2) 2–0Doncaster Rovers (3)Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 6,193
Referee: Marc Edwards
24 August 2021 Shrewsbury Town (3)0–2 Rochdale (4) Shrewsbury
19:00 BST Report
Stadium: Montgomery Waters Meadow
Attendance: 2,229
Referee: Scott Oldham
24 August 2021 Nottingham Forest (2)0–4 Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) West Bridgford
20:00 BST Report
Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 10,769
Referee: Andy Davies
24 August 2021 Morecambe (3)2–4 Preston North End (2) Morecambe
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Mazuma Stadium
Attendance: 4,334
Referee: James Oldham
24 August 2021 Blackpool (2)2–3 Sunderland (3) Blackpool
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 5,756
Referee: Peter Wright
24 August 2021 Leeds United (1) 3–0Crewe Alexandra (3)Beeston
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 34,154
Referee: Benjamin Speedie
24 August 2021 Barrow (4)0–6 Aston Villa (1) Barrow-in-Furness
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Progression Solicitors Stadium
Attendance: 5,349
Referee: Martin Coy

Southern section

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24 August 2021 Brentford (1) 3–1Forest Green Rovers (4)Brentford
19:45 BST
Report Aitchison   8' Stadium: Brentford Community Stadium
Attendance: 12,137
Referee: Will Finnie
24 August 2021 Millwall (2) 3–1Cambridge United (3)Bermondsey
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 4,005
Referee: Neil Hair
24 August 2021 Norwich City (1) 6–0Bournemouth (2)Norwich
19:00 BST
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 20,090
Referee: Charles Breakspear
24 August 2021 Cardiff City (2)0–2 Brighton & Hove Albion (1) Cardiff
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 6,013
Referee: James Bell
24 August 2021 Birmingham City (2)0–2 Fulham (2) Bordesley
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 4,783
Referee: Samuel Barrott
24 August 2021 Gillingham (3)1–1
(4–5 p)
Cheltenham Town (3) Gillingham
19:45 BST Oliver   20' Report May   24' Stadium: MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 2,151
Referee: David Rock
Penalties
Lee  
O'Keefe  
Lloyd  
Carayol  
Adshead  
  Thomas
  Wright
  Lloyd
  Tozer
  Chapman
24 August 2021 Queens Park Rangers (2) 2–0Oxford United (3)White City
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
Attendance: 8,154
Referee: Tom Nield
24 August 2021 Swansea City (2) 4–1Plymouth Argyle (3)Swansea
19:00 BST
Report Shirley   63' Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
Attendance: 7,491
Referee: Robert Madley
24 August 2021 Stevenage (4)2–2
(3–5 p)
Wycombe Wanderers (3) Stevenage
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Lamex Stadium
Attendance: 1,934
Referee: Declan Bourne
Penalties
Norris  
James-Wildin  
Reeves  
Coker  
  Jacobson
  Horgan
  Pendlebury
  Mehmeti
  De Barr
24 August 2021 Northampton Town (4)0–1 AFC Wimbledon (3) Northampton
19:45 BST Report Hartigan   90+4' Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 3,257
Referee: Ross Joyce
24 August 2021 Watford (1) 1–0Crystal Palace (1)Watford
19:45 BST Fletcher   86' Report Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 9,011
Referee: Tim Robinson
25 August 2021 West Bromwich Albion (2)0–6 Arsenal (1) West Bromwich
20:00 BST Report
Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 17,016
Referee: David Webb
25 August 2021 Newport County (4)0–8 Southampton (1) Newport
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Rodney Parade
Attendance: 7,002
Referee: Darren Drysdale

Third round

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A total of 32 teams played in the third round. Chelsea, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United entered in this round due to their participation in either the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League, the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League, or the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League. The draw was made on 25 August 2021 live on Sky Sports after the conclusion of the second round tie between West Bromwich Albion vs Arsenal by Kevin Phillips and Kevin Campbell.[6] Unlike the previous rounds this round was not split into northern and southern sections. Tiebreakers were decided by penalty.

Oldham Athletic and Rochdale were the lowest level teams that were still in the competition.

21 September 2021 Burnley (1) 4–1Rochdale (4)Burnley
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 9,125
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
21 September 2021 Fulham (2)0–0
(5–6 p)
Leeds United (1) Fulham
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 11,299
Referee: Tim Robinson
Penalties
21 September 2021 Manchester City (1) 6–1Wycombe Wanderers (3)Manchester
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 30,959
Referee: Robert Jones
21 September 2021 Norwich City (1)0–3 Liverpool (1) Norwich
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 26,353
Referee: Darren England
21 September 2021 Preston North End (2) 4–1Cheltenham Town (3)Preston
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 6,561
Referee: Dean Whitestone
21 September 2021 Queens Park Rangers (2) 2–2
(8–7 p)
Everton (1)White City
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
Attendance: 12,888
Referee: Kevin Friend
Penalties
21 September 2021 Sheffield United (2)2–2
(2–4 p)
Southampton (1) Sheffield
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 8,934
Referee: John Brooks
Penalties
21 September 2021 Watford (1)1–3 Stoke City (2) Watford
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 8,421
Referee: Tony Harrington
21 September 2021 Wigan Athletic (3)0–2 Sunderland (3) Wigan
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 6,511
Referee: Leigh Doughty
21 September 2021 Brentford (1) 7–0Oldham Athletic (4)Brentford
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Brentford Community Stadium
Attendance: 12,819
Referee: Simon Hooper
22 September 2021 Brighton & Hove Albion (1) 2–0Swansea City (2)Brighton
19:30 BST
Report Stadium: Falmer Stadium
Attendance: 8,838
Referee: Michael Salisbury
22 September 2021 Arsenal (1) 3–0AFC Wimbledon (3)Holloway
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 56,276
Referee: Jarred Gillett
22 September 2021 Chelsea (1) 1–1
(4–3 p)
Aston Villa (1)Fulham
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 35,892
Referee: Graham Scott
Penalties
22 September 2021 Manchester United (1)0–1 West Ham United (1) Manchester
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 72,568
Referee: Jonathan Moss
22 September 2021 Millwall (2)0–2 Leicester City (1) Bermondsey
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 9,985
Referee: Andy Madley
22 September 2021 Wolverhampton Wanderers (1)2–2
(2–3 p)
Tottenham Hotspur (1) Wolverhampton
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 28,798
Referee: Peter Bankes
Penalties

Fourth round

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A total of 16 teams played in this round. The ties were played during the week commencing 25 October 2021. League One side Sunderland were the only team from the third division or lower left in the competition.

26 October 2021 Chelsea (1) 1–1
(4–3 p)
Southampton (1)Fulham
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 39,766
Referee: Kevin Friend
Penalties
26 October 2021 Arsenal (1) 2–0Leeds United (1)Holloway
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,126
Referee: Andre Marriner
26 October 2021 Queens Park Rangers (2)0–0
(1–3 p)
Sunderland (3) Shepherd's Bush
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
Attendance: 15,372
Referee: Keith Stroud
Penalties
27 October 2021 Stoke City (2)1–2 Brentford (1) Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 9,584
Referee: Michael Salisbury
27 October 2021 West Ham United (1) 0–0
(5–3 p)
Manchester City (1)Stratford
19:45 BST Report Stadium: London Stadium
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Penalties
27 October 2021 Leicester City (1) 2–2
(4–2 p)
Brighton & Hove Albion (1)Leicester
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 21,163
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Penalties
27 October 2021 Burnley (1)0–1 Tottenham Hotspur (1) Burnley
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 14,637
Referee: Peter Bankes
27 October 2021 Preston North End (2)0–2 Liverpool (1) Preston
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 22,131
Referee: David Coote

Quarter-finals

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A total of eight teams played in this round. The draw was held on 30 October 2021.[7] The ties were played during the week commencing 20 December 2021. League One side Sunderland were the only team from outside the Premier League left in the competition.

21 December 2021 Arsenal (1) 5–1Sunderland (3)Holloway
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,027
Referee: Robert Jones
22 December 2021 Brentford (1)0–2 Chelsea (1) Brentford
19:45 GMT Report
Stadium: Brentford Community Stadium
Attendance: 16,577
Referee: Andre Marriner
22 December 2021 Liverpool (1) 3–3
(5–4 p)
Leicester City (1)Liverpool
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 52,020
Referee: Andrew Madley
Penalties
22 December 2021 Tottenham Hotspur (1) 2–1West Ham United (1)Tottenham
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Attendance: 40,031
Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Semi-finals

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A total of four teams, all of which were from the Premier League, played in this round. The draw was held on 22 December 2021.

This season saw the return of double-legged semi-finals as with the 2019–20 EFL Cup after the 2020–21 EFL Cup semi-finals were played over a single leg due to fixture congestion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] The first and second legs were originally scheduled to be played during the weeks commencing 3 January 2022 and 10 January 2022, respectively. However, on 5 January 2022, the EFL postponed the first-leg match between Arsenal and Liverpool, originally scheduled for 6 January 2022, to 13 January 2022, due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Liverpool's players and staff.[9] This also led to a switch to Liverpool home for the first leg, and Arsenal home for the second leg on 20 January 2022.

Chelsea (1)2–0Tottenham Hotspur (1)
Report
Attendance: 37,868
Referee: Craig Pawson
Tottenham Hotspur (1)0–1Chelsea (1)
Report

Chelsea won 3–0 on aggregate.


Liverpool (1)0–0Arsenal (1)
Report
Attendance: 52,377
Arsenal (1)0–2Liverpool (1)
Report
Attendance: 59,360

Liverpool won 2–0 on aggregate.

Final

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Chelsea played Liverpool in the final, which was held on 27 February 2022. This saw the return of the EFL Cup Final to its February slot as with the 2020 EFL Cup Final, as the 2021 EFL Cup Final was played in April so that spectators could attend due to COVID-19 restrictions in England. It was played at Wembley Stadium in Wembley in the London Borough of Brent. The winner qualifies for the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League unless they have qualified for the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League or 2022–23 UEFA Europa League.

Chelsea0–0 (a.e.t.)Liverpool
Report
Penalties
10–11

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Club Goals[11]
1   Marcus Forss Brentford 5
  Eddie Nketiah Arsenal
3   Cameron Archer Aston Villa 4
  Takumi Minamino Liverpool
  Aiden O'Brien Sunderland
  Emil Riis Jakobsen Preston North End
  Jay Rodriguez Burnley
8   Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Arsenal 3
  Mohamed Elyounoussi Southampton
  Diogo Jota Liverpool
  Morgan Whittaker Swansea City
  Yoane Wissa Brentford

Notes

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  1. ^ Rochdale received a bye following the postponement of the match due to COVID-19 cases among Harrogate Town's squad.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "UEFA Europa Conference League: all you need to know". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Key Dates". EFL.com. English Football League. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  3. ^ McNulty, Phil (27 February 2022). "Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  4. ^ "EFL Statement | Dale Receive A Bye Into Carabao Cup Round Two". Rochdale F.C. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Carabao Cup second-round draw: Barrow v Aston Villa, Arsenal go to West Brom". BBC Sport. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Win the chance to host the Carabao Cup draw". efl.com. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Soccer AM to host Carabao Cup Quarter-Final draw". EFL.com. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Carabao Cup semi-final draw: Arsenal v Liverpool & Chelsea v Tottenham". BBC Sport. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  9. ^ Hunter, Andy (5 January 2022). "Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final at Arsenal postponed after EFL ruling". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool – Reds win Carabao Cup on penalties". BBC Sport. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  11. ^ "English League Cup 2021/2022 » Top Scorer". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 12 January 2022.