The Carabao Cup first round delivered a night of drama, with West Ham, Burnley, and Millwall all advancing after tense encounters. Football fans across England witnessed penalty shootouts, comeback victories, and a few upsets that set the tone for the League Cup's early stages.
Carabao Cup First Round: Key Results at a Glance
The first round of the Carabao Cup featured 35 matches across England, with Premier League sides entering the fray. West Ham overcame Portsmouth 3-1 at the London Stadium, while Burnley needed penalties to beat Notts County. Millwall edged QPR in a shootout, and several lower-league teams pulled off notable results.
Get Lifetime Access to Top AI Tools
Find Bleeding Edge Business Software at Scandalous Prices on Appsumo.
West Ham's Comeback Victory
West Ham fell behind early against Portsmouth but rallied to secure a 3-1 win. The Hammers' resilience was on display, with goals coming from key players. This victory sets up a promising second-round run for the Premier League club.
Burnley and Millwall Advance via Shootouts
Burnley drew 1-1 with Notts County before winning 4-3 on penalties, with Kyle Walker smashing home the decisive spot-kick. Millwall also needed penalties, beating QPR 2-0 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw. These nerve-wracking finishes highlighted the competitive nature of the competition.
Complete Carabao Cup First Round Scoreboard
Here's the full list of results from the first round, including all penalty shootout outcomes:

| Match | Result | Winner (if penalties) |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Wimbledon vs Newport | 1-1 | AFC Wimbledon (5-4 pens) |
| Barnsley vs Wigan | 1-1 | Barnsley (6-5 pens) |
| Bradford vs Rochdale | 2-0 | Bradford |
| Bristol Rovers vs Peterborough | 0-1 | Peterborough |
| Bromley vs Reading | 1-1 | Reading (5-4 pens) |
| Burnley vs Notts County | 1-1 | Burnley (4-3 pens) |
| 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 | Preston (4-3 pens) |
| QPR vs Millwall | 1-1 | Millwall (2-0 pens) |
| Salford vs Shrewsbury | 1-1 | Shrewsbury (4-3 pens) |
| Sheff Wed vs Bolton | 1-0 | Sheff Wed |
| Stockport vs Doncaster | 1-1 | Doncaster (5-4 pens) |
| Stoke vs Oldham | 2-0 | Stoke |
| Swansea vs Birmingham | 0-1 | Birmingham |
| Watford vs Crawley | 1-0 | Watford |
| West Ham vs Portsmouth | 3-1 | West Ham |
Penalty Shootout Drama Defines the Night
Several matches went to penalties, with shootout results proving decisive. Barnsley's 6-5 win over Wigan was the highest-scoring shootout, while Reading, Preston, and Doncaster all edged through on spot-kicks. The tension was palpable as goalkeepers became heroes and villains.
Key Takeaways from the First Round
- Premier League teams like West Ham and Burnley avoided upsets, but lower-league sides like Lincoln and Leyton Orient impressed.
- Penalty shootouts decided 8 of the 35 matches, showcasing the fine margins in cup football.
- Leicester and Norwich cruised through with comfortable wins, signaling strong early form.
- The second round promises more excitement as bigger clubs enter the draw.
What's Next in the Carabao Cup?
The second round draw will feature the winners from this round, with Premier League clubs not involved in European competition joining the fray. Fans can expect more high-stakes matches as the competition progresses toward Wembley.
