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2021–22 EFL Cup

Football tournament season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

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

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.

More information Clubs entering in this round, Clubs advancing from previous round ...
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
Close

First round

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

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 football with check mark
Isgrove football with check mark
Bakayoko football with check mark
Kachunga football with check mark
Sheehan football with check mark
football with check mark Benson
football with check mark Kane
football with check mark Helik
football with check mark J. Williams
football with red X 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 football with check mark
Kazim-Richards football with check mark
Brown football with check mark
Forsyth football with check mark
Watson football with check mark
football with check mark Morris
football with red X Burgess
football with check mark Touray
football with check mark 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 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 football with check mark
Keillor-Dunn football with check mark
Jameson football with red X
Stobbs football with check mark
Adams football with check mark
football with check mark Spearing
football with red X Glatzel
football with check mark Morris
football with red X Clarke
football with check mark 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 red-colored football 90+4' (o.g.) Stadium: Bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 4,694
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
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

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 football with check mark
Smith football with check mark
Williams football with check mark
football with red X Payne
football with red X McKirdy
football with check mark Reed
football with red X 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 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 football with red X
Sweeney football with check mark
Seymour football with check mark
J. Brown football with check mark
Grounds football with red X
Dodd football with red X
football with red X Vokes
football with check mark Horgan
football with red X Samuel
football with check mark Mehmeti
football with check mark Stockdale
football with check mark Pendlebury
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: Sam 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 football with check mark
James-Wildin football with check mark
Reeves football with check mark
football with red X Cornick
football with red X Mendes Gomes
football with red X 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 football with red X
Shaughnessy football with check mark
O'Connor football with red X
Blake-Tracy football with check mark
football with check mark Sykes
football with check mark Forde
football with check mark Agyei
football with check mark 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 football with check mark
Sotiriou football with red X
James football with check mark
Kemp football with check mark
football with check mark Dykes
football with check mark Ball
football with check mark Dozzell
football with check mark Kelman
football with check mark Adomah

Second round

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

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 football with check mark
Keillor-Dunn football with check mark
Bahamboula football with check mark
Whelan football with check mark
Adams football with red X
Luamba football with check mark
football with check mark Sykes
football with red X Charles
football with check mark Morgan
football with check mark Savin
football with check mark Leigh
football with red X Butcher
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

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: Sam 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 football with check mark
O'Keefe football with red X
Lloyd football with check mark
Carayol football with check mark
Adshead football with check mark
football with check mark Thomas
football with check mark Wright
football with check mark Lloyd
football with check mark Tozer
football with check mark 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 football with check mark
James-Wildin football with red X
Reeves football with check mark
Coker football with check mark
football with check mark Jacobson
football with check mark Horgan
football with check mark Pendlebury
football with check mark Mehmeti
football with check mark 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

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 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 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

Fourth round

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
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 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

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 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

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.

More information Chelsea (1), 2–0 ...
Close
Attendance: 37,868
Referee: Craig Pawson
More information Tottenham Hotspur (1), 0–1 ...
Close

Chelsea won 3–0 on aggregate.


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

Liverpool won 2–0 on aggregate.

Final

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.

Top goalscorers

Notes

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

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

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