Third Round Highlights & Standout Matches

The Carabao Cup third round delivered fireworks, with a mix of dominant performances, underdog victories, and dramatic moments. Here’s what went down:

Newcastle United 4–1 Bradford City

The reigning champions kicked off their defense in style. Joelinton and William Osula both scored braces to underline Newcastle’s intent.

Liverpool 2–1 Southampton

Alexander Isak netted his first goal for Liverpool, with Federico Chiesa providing the assist. Hugo Ekitike added the winner late on, though he was sent off for removing his shirt.

Chelsea 2–1 Lincoln City

Chelsea recovered from a deficit at Sincil Bank. Teenager Tyrique George starred—scoring and assisting—on an afternoon of pressure.

Tottenham 3–0 Doncaster Rovers

Spurs advanced comfortably. Joao Palhinha scored a spectacular overhead kick, an own goal from Doncaster added to the damage, and Brennan Johnson sealed the win late.

Other notable results included Brighton 6–0 Barnsley, Wolves 2–0 Everton, Wrexham 2–0 Reading, and Fulham 1–0 Cambridge United.

Fourth Round Draw: Fixtures & What to Expect

With the curtain drawn on the third round, the Carabao Cup fourth-round pairings have been confirmed. Matches are scheduled during the week commencing October 27, 2025.

Key Matchups:

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur — Two top-tier teams clash.

Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion — A Premier League showdown.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace — A repeat of a recent Community Shield meeting.

Chelsea vs Wolves — Road test for Chelsea.

Swansea vs Manchester City — A Championship club staging a challenge.

Wrexham vs Cardiff City — A much-anticipated Welsh derby.

Grimsby Town vs Brentford — Bright chance for an upset by the League Two giant-killer.

Wycombe Wanderers vs Fulham — Another lower-vs-top tier tie.

Some notes to highlight:

It’s the first time ever three Welsh clubs (Swansea, Wrexham, Cardiff) have made the fourth round.

Grimsby, who eliminated Manchester United earlier, now host Brentford in another Premier League matchup.

The draw features four all-Premier League ties out of eight matches.

What To Watch & Prediction Angles

Upset potential: Grimsby vs Brentford and Wrexham vs Cardiff stand out as matches where underdogs could shock the favourites.

Squad rotation challenges: Big clubs will juggle league and Cup games. Injuries and fatigue may be decisive.

Home advantage matters: Venues like Wrexham’s home could level the playing field.

Welsh derby intensity: Wrexham vs Cardiff carries more than just a trophy  local pride is on the line.