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EFL acknowledge Newcastle error in Carabao Cup draw before tricky Man City matchup
Newcastle were drawn at home to Manchester City in the next round of the EFL Cup.
The EFL have taken responsibility for a small error during the third-round draw of the League Cup but a spokesperson has declared the blunder does not throw the integrity of the draw into question - meaning there is satisfaction with all ties that came out of the hat. The small mess-up involved Newcastle and Norwich City who were handed ties against Manchester City and Fulham respectively next month.
Newcastle fans rightly pointed out that they were the wrong ball number during the draw after being handed number 20.
The majority of the allocated balls - with the exception of all teams that featured on Wednesday evening - were designated in alphabetical order.
Norwich were handed ball number 19 but technically this was incorrect as that should have been assigned to Newcastle.
The minor blunder has led to frustration amongst Newcastle supporters after the Magpies were drawn at home to treble winners Manchester City.
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If Newcastle were given their correct number in the draw (19) we would have drawn Fulham away.
— NUFC HQ (@NUFC_HQ) August 30, 2023
As you can see, draw numbers are done in alphabetically, with the only mistake being Norwich and Newcastle in the wrong order.
Hmm @Carabao_Cup ������ pic.twitter.com/BlFZPAQ4Fp
Meanwhile, Norwich were handed a tricky trip to Fulham. While the Cottagers will be no roll over having just eliminated Tottenham on penalties, naturally, City pose a greater threat.
An EFL spokesperson told Express Sport that they remain satisfied with the draw despite acknowledging that Newcastle and Norwich were assigned the incorrect balls.
They said: “The numbers for the Round Three draw of the Carabao Cup were allocated and communicated in advance of the draw taking place on Wednesday evening and were drawn in-line with the usual strict protocols and conditions.
"The League accepts that the list published was not in alphabetical order, however, under Cup rules, the draw does not require for numbers to be allocated on that basis as is demonstrated by those teams who progressed on Wednesday night. As a result, the EFL views the draw as completely valid with no impact to competition integrity.”
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Newcastle fell just short of winning the competition last season when they were beaten 2-0 in the final by Manchester United at Wembley in February.
Elsewhere, there were several other high-profile clashes that came out of the hat following an entertaining night of action that saw Premier League side Sheffield United stunned by League One Lincoln City.
One of the standout ties is Chelsea against Brighton as the Seagulls continue to soar under Roberto De Zerbi.
Aston Villa have also been paired with Everton who they recently destroyed 4-0 at Villa Park.
Liverpool host high-flying Championship leaders Leicester while Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.
Full Draw
Ipswich Town v Wolves
Exeter City v Luton Town
Aston Villa v Everton
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Port Vale v Sutton United
Bradford City v Middlesbrough
Bournemouth v Stoke City
Lincoln City v West Ham
Brentford v Arsenal
Chelsea v Brighton
Salford City v Burnley
Fulham v Norwich City
Blackburn Rovers v Cardiff City
Liverpool v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Mansfield Town v Peterborough United