The Carabao Cup first round delivered a night of drama, with West Ham, Burnley, and Millwall all advancing to the second round. Football fans witnessed thrilling comebacks, penalty shootouts, and upsets across the competition, making it a memorable evening for English football.
West Ham Comeback Victory Over Portsmouth
At the London Stadium, West Ham staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Portsmouth 3-1. After falling behind early, the Hammers responded with three unanswered goals to secure their place in the next round. The victory highlighted their attacking depth and resilience under pressure.
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John Brewin was at the London Stadium and reported on a match that swung dramatically in the second half. West Ham's ability to maintain composure after conceding first was crucial, and their fans left the stadium buzzing with optimism for the season ahead.
Burnley Edge Past Notts County on Penalties
Burnley needed a penalty shootout to overcome League Two side Notts County after a 1-1 draw. The Clarets showed character to equalize and then held their nerve from the spot, winning 4-3. Kyle Walker, a four-time winner of this competition with Manchester City, smashed home the decisive penalty.
Notts County pushed Burnley all the way, but the Championship side's experience in high-pressure situations proved decisive. The shootout was a tense affair, with both goalkeepers making saves before Burnley ultimately prevailed.

Millwall Beat QPR in a London Derby Shootout
Millwall advanced after a dramatic penalty shootout against QPR, winning 2-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The Lions' goalkeeper was the hero, saving two spot-kicks to send his side through. The victory was especially sweet for Millwall fans, who relish beating their London rivals.
The match was a physical and tactical battle, with both teams creating chances but failing to find a winner in regulation. In the end, Millwall's composure from 12 yards made the difference.

Complete Carabao Cup First Round Results
Here is the full list of results from the first round, including all the penalty shootout scores:
| 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 |
Key Takeaways from the First Round
- West Ham showed resilience with a comeback win over Portsmouth.
- Burnley advanced via a penalty shootout, with Kyle Walker scoring the winner.
- Millwall beat QPR on penalties in a fierce London derby.
- Several lower-league teams pushed higher-tier opponents to the limit, proving the cup's magic.
- Penalty shootouts were the theme of the night, with 10 matches decided from the spot.