Round One of the Carabao Cup is nearing its finish and it's been packed full of action!
Here are five things you may have missed from the week's action...
Significant score-lines
There were some big score-lines to behold in Round One of the competition. Most notably, Exeter City’s 7-0 vanquishing of Cheltenham Town. The Grecians opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Sam Nombe and by half-time, it became a rout as Matt Taylor’s side took a 5-0 lead into the break, cruising through to Round Two.
7⃣ heaven for @OfficialECFC! 👏
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 10, 2022
The skill to set up the assist on this! 🥶#EFL | #CarabaoCup https://t.co/9nErviepnl pic.twitter.com/NDWhATcfsO
Elsewhere, Grimsby Town were back with a bang, seeing off Crewe Alexandra 4-0, Preston North End beat Huddersfield Town 4-1 on Tuesday evening, and Blackburn Rovers’ 4-0 victory over Hartlepool United saw them progress.
Local delight
Bolton Wanderers and Salford City locked horns in a Greater Manchester clash earlier in the week, and it was the Trotters who came out on top, coming from behind to breeze past the Ammies 5-1.
Meanwhile, Bradford City stepped up in the Yorkshire derby, edging Hull City 2-1, and Josh Benson’s 93rd minute winner against Middlesbrough helped Barnsley to reach Round Two.
And Derby County fought back to beat Mansfield Town 2-1, striking either side of the interval.
The underdogs
There were a number of Carabao ‘Cupsets’ on the cards this week as division’s dark horses ousted higher ranked sides from the competition.
Sky Bet League Two outfit Newport United toppled Sky Bet Championship opposition Luton Town 3-2; Stevenage, who have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, overcame Reading 2-1; and Barrow edged Blackpool 4-3 on penalties after registering a goalless draw.
Elsewhere, Cambridge United beat Millwall 1-0 early on in the competition; Morecambe defeated Stoke City on penalties; Colchester United conquered Ipswich Town 1-0; Fleetwood Town saw off Wigan Athletic 1-0; Portsmouth triumphed 3-0 over Cardiff City; and Oxford United bested Swansea City 5-3 in the shoot-out after the tie finished 2-2.
Spectacular strikes
As always, there were some impressive efforts on show in Round One and what better place to start than with Dennis Adeniran’s opener for Sheffield Wednesday. The midfielder produced this stunning strike from range upon his return to the side for the first time since January, as the Owls booked their place in Round Two with a 2-0 victory.
🦉 Just one more look at it! 😍#EFL | @swfc pic.twitter.com/u9LUuVGpVx
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 11, 2022
In South London, Charlton Athletic and Queens Park Rangers had their own Goal of the Round contest going on. Tyler Roberts opened the scoring and Aaron Henry’s last-gasp leveller forced the tie to penalties, which the Addicks won 5-3.
🌍 What about these two strikes from last night's tie at The Valley!
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 10, 2022
🤩 @CAFCofficial @QPR 👏#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/si0yu6xOoY
Norwich City’s Jacob Sorenson came up with the goods against Birmingham City. The Canaries beat Birmingham City 4-2 on spot-kicks after drawing 2-2 in normal time.
☄️ Wow! #EFL | @NorwichCityFC https://t.co/ooHMnuhD1i pic.twitter.com/L8f7FXGrWB
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 10, 2022
And Teddy Bishop went it alone as the Imps made light work of Doncaster Rovers in a 3-0 win.
From his own half! 👏#EFL | @LincolnCity_FC https://t.co/z9sO1ofoea pic.twitter.com/POvkAXq4em
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 10, 2022
Shoot-out victory
A handful of ties would be decided on penalties, but none went on longer than the shoot-out between Accrington Stanley and Tranmere Rovers.
A 93rd minute own goal for Tranmere meant it would be penalties to decide who make it through.
In total, 26 spot-kicks were taken, as both keepers took their turn from 12 yards before circling back around to the original line-up. The visitors eventually prevailed 12-11 on penalties, as Tranmere stopper Mateusz Hewelt denied Accrington’s Shaun Walley to see Rovers through to Round Two.
