Round Two of the Carabao Cup is complete and it's time to reflect on how 32 teams made advanced to the next stage of the competition.
Here are five key talking points from this week’s action…
A pirate’s life for Jimenez
The Goal of the Round might be up for some debate, but the best celebration undoubtedly goes to Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican international revisited his iconic pre-season goal celebration in Wolves’ 2-1 victory over Preston North End which saw the West Midlands team secure passage to Round Three.
Jimenez, who was handed a start by boss Bruno Lage, opened the scoring inside eight minutes to give Wolves the lead and, shortly after rippling the net, disappeared behind the goal, only to return with an eyepatch and pirate’s hook to mark his first strike of the season.
🏴☠️ @Raul_Jimenez9 #EFL | @Wolves https://t.co/QRDti2RbqN pic.twitter.com/gzHELaf09X
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 23, 2022
Crawley shock Cottagers
Tuesday evening provided a welcome distraction for Crawley Town as attentions turned from Sky Bet League Two to the Carabao Cup. Despite sitting second-bottom in the standings, the Reds overcame Premier League opposition Fulham 2-0 on home soil to progress.
The hosts struck either side of the break, with goals from skipper Tom Nichols in the first period before Liverpool loanee James Balagizi doubled Crawley’s tally after the restart, to stun the top-flight Cottagers in what was hailed as a “fantastic night” at Broadfield Stadium.
Palace end lengthy wait
It was in September 2018 when Crystal Palace last tasted victory in this competition – when the South Londoners beat West Bromwich Albion to make it through to Round Four – prior to Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Oxford United.
However, the Premier League side broke their duck, seeing off the U’s with two late goals, to sail through to Round Three this season.
Odsonne Edouard opened the scoring in the second half and Luka Milivojevic made certain that Palace advanced, slotting home in the 90th minute from the penalty spot to ensure the Eagles were comfortably through.
Saints starlet shines
In a first-ever meeting between Cambridge United and Southampton, it was the Saints who came out on top, breezing to a 3-0 win at the Abbey Stadium.
Striker Che Adams made it four goals in three appearances across all competitions, notching a brace on the night, but it was 17-year-old Dominic Ballard who made the headlines for Southampton. The youngster marked his debut with a goal in the final minutes of the game to cap off his professional bow.
Hillsborough hit for three
There wasn’t a bad strike in sight at Hillsborough as Sheffield Wednesday cruised to a 3-0 win over Rochdale on Tuesday evening.
Jaden Brown, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Dennis Adeniran all made the score-sheet for the South Yorkshire side, each one attempting to better the other as they took aim at goal and unleashed three stunning efforts.
Can't decide which one we like best! 😍#EFL | @swfc https://t.co/5lTHIBpOYa pic.twitter.com/QSlSurB5rZ
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 24, 2022
But the Owls trio face competition from elsewhere, with Wolves’ Adama Traore summoning a spectacular strike in their victory over the Lilywhites; Nottingham Forest’s Ryan Yates producing a fine finish as Steve Cooper’s men sank Grimsby Town, and Louie Sibley on target for Derby County against West Bromwich Albion.
