The Carabao Cup first round delivered drama and upsets, with West Ham, Burnley, and Millwall securing wins. This comprehensive roundup covers all the key results, penalty shootouts, and standout performances from the opening matches of the competition.
Carabao Cup First Round: Key Results and Highlights
The first round of the Carabao Cup featured 37 matches across England, with Premier League sides entering the fray. West Ham came from behind to beat Portsmouth 3-1 at the London Stadium, while Burnley edged Notts County on penalties. Millwall also progressed after a shootout win over QPR.
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West Ham's Comeback Victory
West Ham trailed early but rallied to secure a 3-1 win over Portsmouth. The Hammers' resilience was on display as they overturned the deficit to advance to the second round. Manager Julen Lopetegui will be pleased with the response from his squad.
Burnley's Penalty Shootout Success
Burnley needed penalties to overcome Notts County after a 1-1 draw. Kyle Walker, a four-time winner of this competition with Manchester City, smashed home the decisive spot-kick. The Clarets showed composure under pressure to progress.
Millwall's Derby Day Triumph
Millwall beat QPR 2-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road. The Lions' fans celebrated a famous derby victory, and the team will look to build on this momentum in the next round.

Complete Carabao Cup First Round Results
Here are all the scores from the first round, including the penalty shootout results where applicable:
| Match | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham vs Portsmouth | 3-1 | West Ham |
| Burnley vs Notts County | 1-1 (4-3 pens) | Burnley |
| QPR vs Millwall | 1-1 (0-2 pens) | Millwall |
| AFC Wimbledon vs Newport | 1-1 (5-4 pens) | AFC Wimbledon |
| Barnsley vs Wigan | 1-1 (6-5 pens) | Barnsley |
| Bradford vs Rochdale | 2-0 | Bradford |
| Bristol Rovers vs Peterborough | 0-1 | Peterborough |
| Bromley vs Reading | 1-1 (4-5 pens) | Reading |
| Burton vs Blackburn | 1-2 | Blackburn |
| Cambridge vs Barnet | 2-1 | Cambridge |
| Cardiff vs Swindon | 3-2 | Cardiff |
| Crewe vs Accrington | 2-1 | Crewe |
| Derby vs Lincoln | 1-2 | Lincoln |
| Fleetwood vs Chesterfield | 1-0 | Fleetwood |
| Gillingham vs Luton | 0-3 | Luton |
| Grimsby vs Blackpool | 1-3 | Blackpool |
| Leicester vs Northampton | 1-0 | Leicester |
| Leyton Orient vs Oxford | 2-0 | Leyton Orient |
| Norwich vs MK Dons | 4-1 | Norwich |
| Preston vs Huddersfield | 1-1 (4-3 pens) | Preston |
| Salford vs Shrewsbury | 1-1 (3-4 pens) | Shrewsbury |
| Sheff Wed vs Bolton | 1-0 | Sheff Wed |
| Stockport vs Doncaster | 1-1 (4-5 pens) | Doncaster |
| Stoke vs Oldham | 2-0 | Stoke |
| Swansea vs Birmingham | 0-1 | Birmingham |
| Watford vs Crawley | 1-0 | Watford |
Key Takeaways from the First Round
- Premier League clubs like West Ham and Burnley advanced, but several needed penalties to avoid upsets.
- Penalty shootouts were a recurring theme, with 10 matches decided from the spot.
- Lower-league sides like Bromley and Salford pushed higher-tier opponents to the brink, showing the competition's unpredictability.
- Norwich's 4-1 win over MK Dons was the highest-scoring match of the round.
- Defending champions and other big names will enter in the second round, raising the stakes.
What's Next in the Carabao Cup?
The second round draw will feature the 25 winners from this round, plus the 13 Premier League clubs not involved in European competition. This includes teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, who will join the competition fresh. The draw is expected to take place in the coming days, with matches scheduled for late August.

Fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters as the competition progresses. The Carabao Cup has a history of producing upsets and memorable moments, and this year's first round has already delivered plenty of drama.