The EFL Cup delivered a night of drama and surprises on Tuesday, with Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool narrowly escaping upsets, while several underdogs pulled off stunning victories to progress to the next round.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea found themselves in an unexpected battle against League One side Lincoln. The Blues fell behind after a strike from Rob Street, but a strong second-half performance saw them turn the tide. Goals from Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte completed the comeback, ensuring Chelsea’s progression despite a shaky start.
Meanwhile, Liverpool secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Southampton at Anfield, with the headlines dominated by Alexander Isak’s debut goal for the club. Federico Chiesa was the creative force of the night, setting up both of Liverpool’s strikes for Isak and Hugo Ekitike. However, the victory was a mixed bag for manager Arne Slot, as Ekitike was shown a second yellow card for celebrating his late winner by removing his shirt, which will result in a suspension. The win was a reminder that Liverpool has struggled to find its rhythm this season, as they looked well below their best for much of the match.
Elsewhere, Brighton was in sensational form, sweeping aside Barnsley with a commanding 6-0 victory. Diego Gomez was the star of the show, single-handedly scoring four goals to propel his side into the next round. The biggest upset of the night came as League One side Cardiff City knocked out Premier League outfit Burnley, showcasing the unpredictability of cup football. Wolves edged past Everton with a narrow 1-0 victory, while Fulham also squeezed into the next round with a tight win over Cambridge. Rounding off the results, Wrexham eased to a 2-0 victory over Reading, and Wigan beat Wycombe by the same scoreline.
