2017–18 EFL Cup

The 2017–18 EFL Cup was the 58th season of the EFL Cup. The competition was open to all 92 clubs participating in the Premier League and the English Football League. It was known as the Carabao Cup due to the start of a sponsorship deal with Carabao Energy Drinks after the tournament was unsponsored the previous year.[1] The final took place at Wembley Stadium in London.

2017–18 EFL Cup
Carabao Cup, League Cup
Tournament details
CountryEngland
Wales
Dates8 August 2017 – 25 February 2018
Teams92
Defending championsManchester United
Final positions
ChampionsManchester City (5th title)
Runner-upArsenal
Tournament statistics
Matches played87
Goals scored258 (2.97 per match)
Attendance1,454,812 (16,722 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Josh Murphy
Samuel Sáiz
Islam Slimani
(4 goals each)
Winners Manchester City

Manchester City won their fifth title after a 3–0 win over Arsenal in the final.[2]

Manchester United were the defending champions, but they were eliminated by Bristol City in the fifth round.[3]

Access

Chelsea v Bmth dec 2017 02

All 92 clubs in the top four divisions of English football participate. In the first round, all the clubs in EFL League Two and EFL League One will enter alongside 22 of the 24 EFL Championship teams except for Hull City and Middlesbrough who received byes to the next round as the highest finishing teams relegated from the 2016–17 Premier League.[4] In the second round, all Premier League clubs not involved in European competition enter. Arsenal, Chelsea,Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all received byes to the third round owing to their participation in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.[5]

In June 2017, the English Football League announced that the draw for the first round of the competition would be held in Bangkok, Thailand, as a result of their new sponsorship deal with Thai company Carabao.[4] There were plans for the 2017–18 EFL Cup to trial video assistant referees during matches in their first use in England. However the plans were scrapped due to a delay and would instead be trialled in the 2017–18 FA Cup from the third round instead.[6]

Distribution

  • Clubs involved in European competition entered at the third round.
  • The remaining Premier League clubs and two Championship clubs who finished 18th and 19th in Premier League the previous season entered at the second round.
  • The remaining English Football League clubs entered at the first round.[7]
Clubs entering in this roundClubs advancing from previous round
First round
(70 clubs)
  • 24 clubs from EFL League Two
  • 24 clubs from EFL League One
  • 22 clubs from EFL Championship
  • N/A
Second round
(50 clubs)
  • 2 clubs from EFL Championship
  • 13 Premier League clubs (not involved in European competition)
  • 35 winners from first round
Third round
(32 clubs)
  • 7 Premier League clubs (involved in European competition)
  • 25 winners from second round
Fourth round
(16 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 16 winners from third round
Fifth round
(8 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 8 winners from fourth round
Semi-finals
(4 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 4 winners from fifth round
Final
(2 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 2 winners from semi-finals

First round

Entry

A total of 70 clubs played in the first round: 24 from League Two (tier 4), 24 from League One (tier 3), and 22 from the Championship (tier 2). The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into 'northern' and 'southern' sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.[7]

Matches

The first round draw was made as follows:[8]

Northern section

8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Accrington Stanley (4) 3–2Preston North End (2)Accrington
19:45 BSTRichards-Everton 20'
Clark 86'
Kee 90+3'
ReportHugill 70', 90+1'Stadium: Crown Ground
Attendance: 2,879
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Barnsley (2) 4–3Morecambe (4)Barnsley
19:45 BSTBradshaw 2', 46'
Lund 22' (o.g.)
Hedges 90+5'
ReportLavelle 45+1'
Rose 49' (pen.)
Oliver 82'
Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 4,062
Referee: Darren Bond
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Bradford City (3)2–3 Doncaster Rovers (3) Bradford
19:45 BSTPoleon 35'
Jones 84'
ReportMay 8'
Kongolo 71'
Whiteman 88'
Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 3,175
Referee: Darren Drysdale
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Coventry City (4)1–3 Blackburn Rovers (3) Rowleys Green, Coventry
19:45 BSTNazon 22'ReportEvans 16'
Smallwood 33'
Samuel 56'
Stadium: Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 5,372
Referee: Darren England (England)
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Fleetwood Town (3)1–2 (a.e.t.) Carlisle United (4) Fleetwood
19:45 BSTHiwula 69'ReportS. Miller 22'
T. Miller 101'
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 1,711
Referee: Graham Salisbury
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Mansfield Town (4)0–1 Rochdale (3) Mansfield
19:45 BSTReportCamps 17'Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 1,457
Referee: Andy Madley
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Nottingham Forest (2) 2–1Shrewsbury Town (3)Nottingham
19:45 BSTCarayol 29' (pen.)
Cummings 75'
ReportWhalley 79' (pen.)Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 7,546
Referee: John Busby
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Rotherham United (3) 2–1Lincoln City (4)Rotherham
19:45 BSTProctor 39'
Forde 78'
ReportKnott 64'Stadium: New York Stadium
Attendance: 5,489
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Scunthorpe United (3) 3–3 (a.e.t.)
(6–5 p)
Notts County (4)Scunthorpe
19:45 BSTMadden 69' (pen.), 105+1'
Holmes 86'
ReportGrant 22'
Brisley 90+2'
Yates 117'
Stadium: Glanford Park
Attendance: 1,874
Referee: David Webb
Penalties
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Sheffield Wednesday (2) 4–1Chesterfield (4)Owlerton, Sheffield
19:45 BSTFletcher 45+2'
Hooper 43'
Bannan 75'
Hutchinson 83'
ReportDennis 38' (pen.)Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 11,682
Referee: Ross Joyce
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Wigan Athletic (3) 2–1Blackpool (3)Wigan
19:45 BSTLaurent 17'
Flores 45+1'
ReportGnanduillet 59'Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 3,391
Referee: Chris Sarginson
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Crewe Alexandra (4)1–2 Bolton Wanderers (2) Crewe
19:45 BSTPorter 42'ReportArmstrong 70'
Derik 81'
Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 3,167
Referee: Mark Heywood
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Leeds United (2) 4–1Port Vale (4)Leeds
19:45 BSTSáiz 13', 60', 62'
Ekuban 83'
ReportTonge 36'Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 15,431
Referee: Peter Bankes
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Oldham Athletic (3)2–3 Burton Albion (2) Oldham
19:45 BSTGreen 55'
Davies 67' (pen.)
ReportVarney 47'
Lund 69'
Akins 86' (pen.)
Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 2,176
Referee: Scott Duncan
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Sheffield United (2) 3–2Walsall (3)Sheffield
19:45 BSTRoberts 74' (o.g.)
Thomas 79'
Lafferty 82'
ReportBakayoko 13'
Oztumer 90+1' (pen.)
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 5,210
Referee: Kevin Friend
10 August 2017 (2017-08-10) Bury (3)0–1 Sunderland (2) Bury, Greater Manchester
19:45 BSTReportHoneyman 69'Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 3,470
Referee: Robert Jones
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22)[note 1] Grimsby Town (4)0–1 Derby County (2) Cleethorpes
19:45 BSTReportVydra 53' (pen.)Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 3,033
Referee: Trevor Kettle

Southern section

8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) AFC Wimbledon (3)1–3 (a.e.t.) Brentford (2) Kingston upon Thames, London
19:45 BSTRobinson 25'ReportSawyers 69'
Watkins 105+1'
Shaibu 119'
Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 3,229
Referee: Dean Whitestone
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Birmingham City (2) 5–1Crawley Town (4)Bordesley, Birmingham
19:45 BSTAdams 27', 42', 66'
Davis 38'
Tesche 49'
ReportCamara 86'Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 7,814
Referee: Michael Salisbury
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Bristol City (2) 5–0Plymouth Argyle (3)Ashton Gate, Bristol
19:45 BSTHegeler 2'
Baker 14'
Smith 19'
Hinds 39'
Paterson 79'
ReportStadium: Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 9,838
Referee: Oliver Langford
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Bristol Rovers (3) 4–1Cambridge United (4)Horfield, Bristol
19:45 BSTBodin 13', 42'
Harrison 61'
Sercombe 70'
ReportIkpeazu 66'Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,114
Referee: Kevin Johnson
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Cardiff City (2) 2–1 (a.e.t.)Portsmouth (3)Cardiff
19:45 BSTMendez-Laing 48'
Halford 113'
ReportMorrison 32' (o.g.)Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 6,592
Referee: Steve Martin
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Exeter City (4)1–2 Charlton Athletic (3) Exeter
19:45 BSTHolmes 54'ReportClarke 72'
Charles-Cook 79'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 2,699
Referee: Tim Robinson
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Forest Green Rovers (4)0–1 (a.e.t.) Milton Keynes Dons (3) Nailsworth
19:45 BSTReportAriyibi 110'Stadium: The New Lawn
Attendance: 1,608
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Luton Town (4)0–2 Ipswich Town (2) Luton
19:45 BSTReportMcGoldrick 34', 90+3'Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Attendance: 4,610
Referee: Andy Haines
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Millwall (2) 2–0Stevenage (4)Bermondsey, London
19:45 BSTElliott 54', 67'ReportStadium: The Den
Attendance: 3,096
Referee: Simon Hooper
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Norwich City (2) 3–2Swindon Town (4)Norwich
19:45 BSTJerome 27'
Hoolahan 39'
Maddison 42'
ReportLancashire 25'
Mullin 62'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,166
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Oxford United (3)3–4 (a.e.t.) Cheltenham Town (4) Oxford
19:45 BSTJohnson 21' (pen)
Obika 31'
Xemi 42'
ReportEisa 9', 99'
Wright 66', 90'
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 3,179
Referee: Graham Horwood
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Peterborough United (3)1–3 Barnet (4) Peterborough
19:45 BSTEdwards 30'ReportAkpa Akpro 22'
Vilhete 39'
Coulthirst 58'
Stadium: London Road Stadium
Attendance: 2,725
Referee: Tony Harrington
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Queens Park Rangers (2) 1–0Northampton Town (3)Shepherd's Bush, London
19:45 BSTN'Gbakoto 36'ReportStadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 4,317
Referee: Charles Breakspear
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Southend United (3)0–2 Newport County (4) Southend-on-Sea[note 2]
19:45 BSTReportMcCoulsky 52', 58'Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 2,998
Referee: Antony Coggins
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Wolverhampton Wanderers (2) 1–0Yeovil Town (4)Wolverhampton
19:45 BSTDicko 76'ReportStadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 9,478
Referee: Robert Lewis
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Wycombe Wanderers (4)0–2 Fulham (2) High Wycombe
19:45 BSTReportPiazon 67'
Odoi 81'
Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 3,639
Referee: Gavin Ward
8 August 2017 (2017-08-08) Reading (2) 2–0Gillingham (3)Reading
20:00 BSTKelly 71', 86'ReportStadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 5,936
Referee: Brett Huxtable
9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) Colchester United (4)1–2 Aston Villa (2) Colchester
19:45 BSTKent 39'ReportHogan 7'
Kent 19' (o.g.)
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 6,603
Referee: John Brooks

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the tier for the team during the 2017–18 season.

Second round

Entry

A total of 50 clubs played in the second round: 15 that entered in this round and the 35 winners from the first round. The 15 clubs entering this round were the 13 clubs from the 2017–18 Premier League not involved in any European competition, plus two clubs from the EFL Championship. The two clubs from the Championship are the two clubs that finished 18th and 19th in the 2016–17 Premier League. The draw for the second round was held on 10 August 2017 and was split on a geographical basis into 'northern' and 'southern' sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.[7][12]

Matches

The second round draw was made as follows:[13]

Northern section

22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Accrington Stanley (4)1–3 West Bromwich Albion (1) Accrington
19:45 BSTDallison 86'ReportRondón 11'
Phillips 31'
Rodriguez 64'
Stadium: Crown Ground
Attendance: 2,699
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Aston Villa (2) 4–1Wigan Athletic (3)Birmingham
19:45 BSTHogan 19', 44'
Adomah 36'
Bjarnason 74'
ReportColclough 43'Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 18,108
Referee: Darren Drysdale
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Bolton Wanderers (2) 3–2Sheffield Wednesday (2)Bolton
20:00 BSTDervite 42'
Armstrong 57' (pen.)
Karacan 64'
ReportRhodes 76', 83'Stadium: Macron Stadium
Attendance: 6,385
Referee: David Webb
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Carlisle United (4)1–2 Sunderland (2) Carlisle
19:45 BSTGrainger 60'ReportLove 25'
Gooch 80'
Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 8,187
Referee: Darren Bond
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Doncaster Rovers (3) 2–0Hull City (2)Doncaster
19:45 BSTMay 48'
Rowe 54'
ReportStadium: Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 7,139
Referee: Graham Salisbury
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Leeds United (2) 5–1Newport County (4)Leeds[note 2]
19:45 BSTRoofe 44', 49', 65'
Sáiz 78'
Vieira 89'
ReportLabadie 33'Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 17,098
Referee: Ross Joyce
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Middlesbrough (2) 3–0Scunthorpe United (3)Middlesbrough
19:45 BSTFábio 17'
Baker 30'
Fletcher 55'
ReportStadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 12,679
Referee: Andrew Madley
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Sheffield United (2)1–4 Leicester City (1) Sheffield
19:45 BSTLavery 83'ReportGray 52'
Slimani 63', 67'
Musa 90+3'
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 11,280
Referee: Tony Harrington
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Blackburn Rovers (3)0–2 Burnley (1) Blackburn
19:45 BSTReportCork 27'
Brady 45+4'
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 16,313
Referee: Simon Hooper
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Huddersfield Town (1) 2–1Rotherham United (3)Huddersfield
19:45 BSTBilling 52' (pen.)
Lolley 54'
ReportAjayi 1'Stadium: Kirklees Stadium
Attendance: 8,290
Referee: Peter Bankes
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Newcastle United (1)2–3 (a.e.t.) Nottingham Forest (2) Newcastle upon Tyne
19:45 BSTMitrović 3'
Aarons 45+1'
ReportCummings 29', 31'
Walker 97'
Stadium: St. James' Park
Attendance: 27,709
Referee: Darren England
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Stoke City (1) 4–0Rochdale (3)Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BSTAllen 16', 42'
Crouch 29'
Sobhi 80'
ReportStadium: Bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 9,930
Referee: Scott Duncan
12 September 2017 Barnsley (2) 3–2Derby County (2)Barnsley
19:45 BSTJackson 18'
Bradshaw 73'
Hammill 88'
ReportRussell 6'
Bennett 39'
Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 7,163
Referee: Eddie Ilderton

Southern section

22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Birmingham (2)1–2 Bournemouth (1) Birmingham
19:45 BSTKieftenbeld 11'ReportFraser 46'
Pugh 68'
Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 8,245
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Brighton & Hove Albion (1) 1–0Barnet (4)Brighton
19:45 BSTTilley 53'ReportStadium: Falmer Stadium
Attendance: 11,414
Referee: Steve Martin
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Cardiff City (2)1–2 Burton Albion (2) Cardiff, Wales
19:45 BSTPilkington 76'ReportNaylor 26'
Fox 70'
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 5,820
Referee: John Busby
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Crystal Palace (1) 2–1Ipswich Town (2)Selhurst, London
19:30 BSTMcArthur 76', 84'ReportCelina 90+1'Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 9,837
Referee: Andy Davies
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Fulham (2)0–1 Bristol Rovers (3) Fulham, London
19:45 BSTReportHarrison 13'Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 6,243
Referee: Dean Whitestone
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Milton Keynes Dons (3)1–4 Swansea City (1) Milton Keynes
19:45 BSTSeager 17'ReportFer 19', 60'
Abraham 71'
Ayew 86'
Stadium: Stadium mk
Attendance: 5,162
Referee: Robert Jones
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Norwich City (2) 4–1Charlton Athletic (3)Norwich
19:45 BSTMurphy 21', 52'
Watkins 74'
Trybull 89'
ReportNovak 5'Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,521
Referee: Andy Haines
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Queens Park Rangers (2)1–4 Brentford (2) Shepherd's Bush, London
19:45 BSTFurlong 43'ReportBorysiuk 10' (o.g.)
Egan 19'
Maupay 32'
Clarke 83'
Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 9,719
Referee: Chris Sarginson
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Reading (2) 3–1 (a.e.t.)Millwall (2)Reading
20:00 BSTBacuna 34'
Evans 105'
Smith 117'
ReportFerguson 37'Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 7,148
Referee: Charles Breakspear
22 August 2017 (2017-08-22) Watford (1)2–3 Bristol City (2) Watford
19:45 BSTCapoue 47'
Mariappa 90+5'
ReportHinds 59'
Reid 67'
Eliasson 90+3'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 9,003
Referee: Tim Robinson
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Cheltenham Town (4)0–2 West Ham United (1) Cheltenham[note 3]
19:45 BSTReportSakho 40'
Ayew 43'
Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 6,259
Referee: Oliver Langford
23 August 2017 (2017-08-23) Southampton (1)0–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (2) Southampton
19:45 BSTReportBatth 67'
Wilson 87'
Stadium: St. Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 17,931
Referee: James Linington

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the tier for the team during the 2017–18 season.

Third round

Entry

A total of 32 clubs played in the third round: seven that entered in this round and the 25 winners from the second round. The clubs entering in this round were the seven from the 2017–18 Premier League involved in European competition. The draw for the third round was held on 24 August 2017.[14]

Matches

The third round draw was made as follows:[15]

19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Aston Villa (2)0–2 Middlesbrough (2) Birmingham
19:45 BSTReportBamford 58' (pen.), 67'Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 11,197
Referee: Steve Martin
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Bournemouth (1) 1–0 (a.e.t.)Brighton & Hove Albion (1)Bournemouth
19:45 BSTKing 99'ReportStadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 10,372
Referee: Kevin Friend
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Brentford (2)1–3 Norwich City (2) Brentford, London
19:45 BSTClarke 90+1'ReportVrančić 10' (pen.), 51'
Murphy 68'
Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 4,863
Referee: James Linington
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Bristol City (2) 2–0Stoke City (1)Bristol
19:45 BSTDiédhiou 50'
Taylor 60'
ReportStadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 13,826
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Burnley (1)2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–5 p)
Leeds United (2) Burnley
19:45 BSTWood 89' (pen.)
Brady 90+6'
ReportSacko 80'
Hernández 90+4' (pen.)
Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 11,799
Referee: Darren Bond
Penalties
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Crystal Palace (1) 1–0Huddersfield Town (1)Selhurst, London
19:45 BSTSako 13'ReportStadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 6,607
Referee: Lee Probert
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Leicester City (1) 2–0Liverpool (1)Leicester
19:45 BSTOkazaki 65'
Slimani 78'
ReportStadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 31,609
Referee: Stuart Attwell
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Reading (2)0–2 Swansea City (1) Reading
20:00 BSTReportMawson 52'
J. Ayew 83'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 8,729
Referee: Andy Davies
19 September 2017 Tottenham Hotspur (1) 1–0Barnsley (2)Wembley, London
20:00 BSTAlli 65'ReportStadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 23,826
Referee: Tim Robinson
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) West Ham United (1) 3–0Bolton Wanderers (2)Stratford, London
19:45 BSTOgbonna 4'
Sakho 31'
Masuaku 90+4'
ReportStadium: London Stadium
Attendance: 35,806
Referee: Simon Hooper
19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Wolverhampton Wanderers (2) 1–0 (a.e.t.)Bristol Rovers (3)Wolverhampton
19:45 BSTEnobakhare 98'ReportStadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 12,740
Referee: Tony Harrington
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Arsenal (1) 1–0Doncaster Rovers (3)Holloway, London
19:45 BSTWalcott 25'ReportStadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 44,064
Referee: Scott Duncan
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Chelsea (1) 5–1Nottingham Forest (2)Fulham, London
19:45 BSTKenedy 13'
Batshuayi 19', 53', 86'
Musonda 40'
ReportDarikwa 90+1'Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 40,621
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Everton (1) 3–0Sunderland (2)Liverpool
19:45 BSTCalvert-Lewin 38', 51'
Niasse 83'
ReportStadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: Oliver Langford
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) Manchester United (1) 4–1Burton Albion (2)Old Trafford, Manchester
20:00 BSTRashford 5', 17'
Lingard 36'
Martial 60'
ReportDyer 90+1'Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 54,256
Referee: Graham Scott
20 September 2017 (2017-09-20) West Bromwich Albion (1)1–2 Manchester City (1) West Bromwich
20:00 BSTYacob 72'ReportSané 3', 77'Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 14,953
Referee: Mike Jones

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the tier for the team during the 2017–18 season.

Fourth round

Entry

A total of 16 clubs played in the fourth round, all winners from the third round. The draw for the fourth round was held on 20 September 2017.[16]

Matches

The fourth round draw was made as follows:[17]

24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Arsenal (1) 2–1 (a.e.t.)Norwich City (2) Holloway, London
19:45 BSTNketiah 85', 96'ReportMurphy 34'Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 58,444
Referee: Andrew Madley
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Bournemouth (1) 3–1Middlesbrough (2)Bournemouth
19:45 BSTSimpson 49'
Wilson 75' (pen.)
Afobe 83'
ReportTavernier 56'Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 10,254
Referee: Simon Hooper
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Bristol City (2) 4–1Crystal Palace (1)Bristol
19:45 BSTTaylor 34'
Đurić 39'
Bryan 60'
O'Dowda 66'
ReportSako 21'Stadium: Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 21,901
Referee: Tim Robinson
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Leicester City (1) 3–1Leeds United (2)Leicester
19:45 BSTIheanacho 30'
Slimani 71'
Mahrez 88'
ReportHernández 26'Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 31,516
Referee: Lee Probert
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Swansea City (1)0–2 Manchester United (1) Swansea
19:45 BSTReportLingard 21', 59'Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 20,083
Referee: Bobby Madley
25 October 2017 (2017-10-25) Chelsea (1) 2–1Everton (1)Fulham, London
19:45 BSTRüdiger 26'
Willian 90+2'
ReportCalvert-Lewin 90+4'Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 40,655
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
25 October 2017 (2017-10-25) Tottenham Hotspur (1)2–3 West Ham United (1) Wembley, London
20:00 BSTSissoko 6'
Alli 37'
ReportAyew 55', 60'
Ogbonna 70'
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 36,168
Referee: Mike Dean

Fifth round

Entry

A total of eight clubs played in the fifth round, all winners from the fourth round. The fifth round draw was held on 26 October 2017.[18]

Matches

19 December 2017 Arsenal (1) 1–0West Ham United (1)Holloway, London
19:45 GMTWelbeck 42'ReportStadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 44,741
Referee: Kevin Friend
20 December 2017 Bristol City (2) 2–1Manchester United (1)Bristol
20:00 GMTBryan 51'
Smith 90+3'
ReportIbrahimović 58'Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 26,088
Referee: Mike Dean
20 December 2017 Chelsea (1) 2–1Bournemouth (1)Fulham, London
19:45 GMTWillian 13'
Morata 90+1'
ReportGosling 90'Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,168
Referee: Lee Mason

Semi-finals

Entry

A total of four clubs played in the semi-finals, all winners of the fifth round. There was no seeding in this round and the draw was held on 20 December at Ashton Gate immediately after Bristol City knocked out defending champions Manchester United in the 5th round.[19]

Matches

The semi-finals were played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home. The team that scored the most goals on aggregate over the two legs advanced to the final. If the aggregate score was level after 90 minutes in the second leg of a semi-final two 15-minute periods of extra time were played each way. If the aggregate score in a semi-final was still level at the end of extra time the tie was decided by the away goals rule, i.e. the team that scored most goals away from home over the two legs advanced. If a semi-final tie was still level, the result was determined by a penalty shoot-out.

The lowest ranked side to reach this stage of the competition was Championship club Bristol City.

First leg

9 January 2018 Manchester City (1) 2–1 Bristol City (2) Manchester
19:45 GMTDe Bruyne 55'
Agüero 90+2'
ReportReid 44' (pen.)Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 43,426
Referee: Anthony Taylor
10 January 2018 Chelsea (1) 0–0 Arsenal (1) Fulham, London
20:00 GMTReportStadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 40,097
Referee: Martin Atkinson

Second leg

23 January 2018 Bristol City (2)2–3
(3–5 agg.)
Manchester City (1) Bristol
19:45 GMTPack 64'
Flint 90+4'
ReportSané 43'
Agüero 49'
De Bruyne 90+6'
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 26,003
Referee: Graham Scott
24 January 2018 Arsenal (1) 2–1
(2–1 agg.)
Chelsea (1)Holloway, London
20:00 GMTRüdiger 12' (o.g.)
Xhaka 60'
ReportHazard 7'Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 58,964
Referee: Michael Oliver

Final

The final was played on 25 February 2018 at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal0–3Manchester City
Report
Attendance: 85,671
Referee: Craig Pawson

Controversies regarding draws

There were a number of errors in the draw for the first round. Many fans experienced problems with the sound on the live stream from Thailand, and had to rely on the graphics. However, these contained a number of errors: Charlton Athletic were shown to be drawn in two ties, while a number of other teams including AFC Wimbledon, Brentford, Swindon Town, Norwich City, Forest Green Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Yeovil Town were all shown to have been given wrong draws.[10] The English Football League later issued a statement apologising for the errors that had been made and stating that the draw had not been compromised with all clubs receiving confirmation of their ties.[8]

Confusion also arose over the televised portion of the second round draw, in which four second round matches were announced with the incorrect location.[20] The cup attracted even further criticism for its draws when it was announced that the third round draw would take place in Beijing at 11:15 China Standard Time (04:15 British Summer Time).[21]

Further errors continued for the draw of the fifth round. This was due to technical problems at Twitter, which led to the draw being delayed for over an hour.[22] The draw finally appeared in a pre-recorded video almost two hours late.

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerClubGoals[23]
1 Josh MurphyNorwich City4
Samuel SáizLeeds United
Islam SlimaniLeicester City
4 Ché AdamsBirmingham City3
André AyewWest Ham United
Michy BatshuayiChelsea
Tom BradshawBarnsley
Jason CummingsNottingham Forest
Scott HoganAston Villa
Jesse LingardManchester United
Kemar RoofeLeeds United
Leroy SanéManchester City

Notes

References