Carabao Cup draw live: Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea learn fourth-round opponents

Football
25 Sep 2025 • 4:59 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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Carabao Cup giantkillers Grimsby have another chance to cause an upset after being drawn at home to Brentford in the fourth round.

The only remaining League Two side have already dispatched Manchester United at home and Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday away and their reward is another Premier League opponent at home.

Holders Newcastle host Tottenham, who also ended a long wait for a trophy last season with success in the Europa League, in one of four all top-flight ties. The others are Liverpool at home to Crystal Palace, Arsenal v Brighton and Wolves hosting Chelsea.

Championship side Swansea, the 2013 winners, host Manchester City while the other two Welsh teams left in the competition - Wrexham and Cardiff - face each other. League One Wycombe also have the chance of creating an upset as they host Fulham.

Follow live updates from the Carabao Cup draw below

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Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Latest updates and fixtures

  • Carabao Cup fourth round draw full results
  • Newcastle face tough test against Tottenham
  • Grimsby Town are lowest-ranked team left in fourth round and host Brentford
  • 11 Premier League sides remaining in competition including Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City
  • Wrexham host fellow Welsh and Championship side Cardiff City

Mikel Arteta delighted with Eberechi Eze impact after first Arsenal goal

10:55

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Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Arteta wants to see more from Eberechi Eze but was delighted to see his new signing get off the mark for Arsenal.

“That's why we got him - to win football matches. He should've scored another two I think,” Arteta said.

"His position depends on the players around him. There were certain moments where the space closed, so we moved him somewhere else.

“He is a player who has to be in touch with the ball and we have to find ways to do that."

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Carabao Cup fourth-round draw

09:59

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Jamie Braidwood

Ties to be played across Tuesday and Wednesday 27 and 28 October.

  • Arsenal v Brighton
  • Grimsby Town v Brentford
  • Swansea City v Manchester City
  • Newcastle United v Tottenham
  • Wrexham v Cardiff City
  • Liverpool v Crystal Palace
  • Wolves v Chelsea
  • Wycombe v Fulham

Heskey brothers make Man City debuts: ‘Their parents will be proud’

08:59

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Jamie Braidwood

Reigan and Jaden Heskey, the sons of former England and striker Emile Heskey, both made their first-team debuts for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side progressed past Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Jaden, 19, was the first to make his debut when he replaced Nico O’Reilly in the 76th minute, by which point City were ahead by two goals after strikes from Phil Foden and Savinho. Reigan, 17, then made his debut around six minutes later.

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Eberechi Eze shines with first Arsenal goal as Gunners progress in Carabao Cup

08:00

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Mike Jones

Eberechi Eze got his first Arsenal goal as Mikel Arteta’s men laboured to beat League One Port Vale 2-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

After Eze struck just eight minutes into the match this should have turned into a comfortable night for the Gunners against a side who, despite back-to-back wins sit 19th in the third tier, but they struggled to create clear chances until substitute Leandro Trossard finished it off in the 86th minute.

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Man City boss Pep Guardiola hopeful Erling Haaland will be fit for Burnley clash

07:00

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Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola is hopeful Erling Haaland will be fit for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley.

The striker was substituted during Manchester City’s draw against Arsenal at the weekend, with Guardiola revealing afterwards that he was suffering from back pain.

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Mikel Arteta excited by what Eberechi Eze can bring to Arsenal attack

06:00

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Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta believes Eberechi Eze still has plenty more to bring to Arsenal’s attacking play after watching him score his first goal for the club in Wednesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Port Vale.

Eze struck just eight minutes into the match at Vale Park but, despite that early strike, Arsenal struggled to create clear opportunities against their League One hosts, not killing the game off until substitute Leandro Trossard struck in the 86th minute.

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Joao Palhinha’s defensive display praised by Tottenham boss Thomas Frank

05:00

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Mike Jones

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank hailed Joao Palhinha’s role as emergency centre-half and opening goalscorer in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Doncaster.

Palhinha’s improvised strike, a Jay McGrath own goal and Brennan Johnson’s stoppage-time breakaway comfortably disposed of League One Rovers.

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Tottenham too strong for League One Doncaster

04:00

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Mike Jones

Tottenham barely broke into a sweat as they eased into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win over Doncaster.

Boss Thomas Frank had promised to have a decent crack at the competition this season and he was as good as his word as Joao Palhinha’s improvised strike, a Jay McGrath own goal and Brennan Johnson’s stoppage-time breakaway disposed of League One Rovers.

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Phil Foden and Savinho ease Man City to victory over Huddersfield in Carabao Cup

03:00

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Mike Jones

Phil Foden and Savinho were both on target as Manchester City cantered to a 2-0 win at Huddersfield to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Foden, who orchestrated for City as a deep-lying centre forward, fired Pep Guardiola’s side into an interval lead and Savinho gave the scoreline a more realistic look with 16 minutes to go.

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Newcastle hit four past Bradford as holders ease into fourth round

02:00

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Mike Jones

Joelinton and Will Osula both helped themselves to doubles as Newcastle launched their Carabao Cup defence with a routine 4-1 victory over League One leaders Bradford.

The Brazil international struck in both halves with Osula finding the back of the net in between and then again at the death as the holders cruised into the fourth round at St James’ Park despite substitute Andy Cook’s late consolation goal.

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Giovanni Leoni vows to return for Liverpool ‘as soon as possible’ after injury

01:00

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Mike Jones

Teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni has pledged to return as soon as possible after his Liverpool debut ended in him being carried off on a stretcher.

Leoni, a £26million signing from Parma, hurt himself in a tackle late in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton and the fear is he has sustained a significant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which will result in a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

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Stupidity collides with sleekness in Liverpool’s tale of two strikers

Thursday 25 September 2025 00:00

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Richard Jolly

And to think some worried Hugo Ekitike would be overshadowed by Alexander Isak at Anfield. On the night the £125m man opened his account for his new club, Ekitike contrived to upstage his striking rival, extending Liverpool’s extraordinary record of late deciders and yet drawing cutting criticism from his manager.

For the sixth time in seven games, Liverpool won late on; for the fourth time after they had lost a lead. And yet this drama at the death against Southampton took on a novel twist as Ekitike tapped in a centre from the excellent Federico Chiesa and promptly brought his own contribution to an end. Already booked for punching the ball away in a display of dissent, he collected a second yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebration.

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Pep Guardiola pleased with Phil Foden

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:53

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Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola said Phil Foden is happiest when playing as a number 10 after another stand-out display in his side’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win at Huddersfield.

When asked if Foden was happiest in a more central role, Guardiola said: “Absolutely. Close to the box I think he plays in the pockets perfectly.

“When he plays a little bit free and close to the box, he can do something that is unique, we know that.

“When Phil plays in that position behind the strikers, he’s a real threat.

“We’ve seen already with Phil (these last) few games. When the team play better, when every player makes his potential… but it’s not just today.

“The game against Arsenal, (Manchester) United, Napoli, he was really good.”

Frank praises Palhinha's makeshift role

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:46

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Mike Jones

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank hailed Joao Palhinha’s role as emergency centre-half and opening goalscorer in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Doncaster.

“Joao’s been very good for us since he joined,” said Frank. “He slotted into that centre-back role, played very well and scored a goal. I’m very pleased.

“Archie can play centre-back and right-back but I see him as a midfielder and I like to see him there.”

Arteta on where Arsenal go from here

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:39

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Mike Jones

The Gunners boss added: “What we need to do… is generate the performances that we want with the players that haven’t really played together, with a completely different midfield than they’ve played together before, with a front line that is different as well,” he said.

“Max [Dowman] came in as well and connect(ed) immediately with the team. It’s a lot of positives to take from the game…

“That’s exactly what we want, that they’re giving us and me those headaches because that means that they are so connected with the team, that they really want to help the team. Everybody will play a lot of minutes.”

Mikel Arteta excited by what Eberechi Eze can bring to Arsenal

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:31

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Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta believes Eberechi Eze still has plenty more to bring to Arsenal’s attacking play after watching him score his first goal for the club in Wednesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Port Vale.

“He played very centrally against a team that went 5-4-1, super-compact inside, it’s not easy to find the space but he’s very capable with the goal and with another three or four actions that he is completely through and (playing) people through,” Arteta explained.

“He needs to still play more time a little bit with those guys to understand the timings, especially the things that he needs to do, and then actions like that will be more consistent and better for us. In general very good, there is still a lot more to give I think.”

Ebere Eze on scoring first goal for Arsenal:

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:23

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Mike Jones

“Very special. I have been waiting to score for this club for a long time and the first is very special. It is a very difficult place to come. It is important we got the first goal and we could move forward.

“You have seen in the past few weeks what players are doing when they come off the bench. It is a lot of depth and brings fresh energy which is what we need.”

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More from Norgaard

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:15

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Mike Jones

“I enjoyed it a lot,” added Christian Norgaard when asked what it felt like to be handed his first start at Arsenal.

“It was nice to get some rhythm. I have been waiting so long for my competitive start.

“When you look at our starting eleven today there was a lot of talent on the pitch even with changes and we need that to compete on all fronts. It is a pleasure to be part of it.”

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Norgaard reacts to Arsenal win

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:07

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Mike Jones

Christian Norgaard gave his thoughts to Sky Sports after Arsenal defeat Port Vale 2-0.

“They [Port Vale] made it hard,” he said.

“These cup ties are always difficult. They defended well but it is job done and we go on to the next round.”

Port Vale's Darren Moore speaking to Sky Sports:

Wednesday 24 September 2025 23:00

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Mike Jones

“We knew there would be spells where they [Arsenal] had the ball, but after conceding the early goal, we stayed compact.

“We tried to open up for the last 20 minutes, and it is disappointing to concede a second.

“To concede in the first ten minutes, the boys kept their composure and discipline. That is the most pleasing thing.

“They showed courage and determination, and done the club proud. We played against an elite team, a top, top team, and we stayed in connection. I have got to be proud.”

Newcastle drawn against Tottenham with Wrexham set for all Welsh clash in Carabao Cup fourth round

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:49

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Mike Jones

The defending Carabao Cup champions, Newcastle United, have the trickiest draw of the fourth round when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur in an all Premier League clash.

Eddie Howe’s men progressed easily through the third round with a statement victory over Bradford City as Joelinton and William Osula both scored twice during a 4-1 victory at St. James’ Park. The Magpies have struggled in front of goal since selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool on deadline day but they look more composed in the final third and will need to rediscover their attacking talent if they hope to defeat Tottenham.

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Carabao Cup fourth round draw result

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:26

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Mike Jones

Here are the full results for the Carabao Cup fourth round:

Arsenal vs Brighton

Grimsby vs Brentford

Swansea vs Manchester City

Newcastle vs Tottenham

Wrexham vs Cardiff

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Wolves vs Chelsea

Wycombe Wanderers vs Fulham

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:25

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Mike Jones

Wycombe Wanderers are drawn at home in the final fixture and will face Fulham!

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:24

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Mike Jones

Wolves are drawn at home and will play Chelsea!

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:24

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Mike Jones

Liverpool will be playing at Anfield again and they are hosting Crystal Palace.

That fixture also takes place in the Premier League this weekend.

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:23

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Mike Jones

Wrexham are drawn at home and they will face Cardiff in an all Welsh tie!

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:23

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Mike Jones

Newcastle are drawn at home and will take on Tottenham Hotspur.

A tricky one for both teams.

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:22

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Mike Jones

Swansea are drawn at home and will play Manchester City.

That’s a good draw for them.

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:22

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Mike Jones

Grimsby Town, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, are drawn at home to Brentford!

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:21

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Mike Jones

The first time out of the pot is Arsenal!

They are taking on Brighton at the Emirates.

Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:20

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Mike Jones

Here we go then.

It’s time for the fourth round draw, eight games to be decided with 11 Premier League teams remaining in the competition.

Eberechi Eze shines with first Arsenal goal as Gunners progress in Carabao Cup

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:13

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Mike Jones

Eberechi Eze got his first Arsenal goal as Mikel Arteta’s men laboured to beat League One Port Vale 2-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

After Eze struck just eight minutes into the match this should have turned into a comfortable night for the Gunners against a side who, despite back-to-back wins sit 19th in the third tier, but they struggled to create clear chances until substitute Leandro Trossard finished it off in the 86th minute.

Still it was enough for Arsenal, semi-finalists last season, to progress as they seek to win this competition for only a third time.

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Carabao Cup fourth round draw

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:07

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Mike Jones

The draw for the last-16 will take place at 10.20pm and can be watched on Sky Sports Main Event.

We’ll have all the updates as well so stick around to see who’ll be facing off with each other in the next round.

When will the rest of the Carabao Cup be played?

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:02

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Jamie Braidwood

Here are the dates for the remaining rounds of Carabao Cup action.

Round Four: w/c 27 October 2025

Quarter-finals: w/c 15 December 2025

Semi-Final First Leg: w/c 12 January 2026

Semi-Final Second Leg: w/c 2 February 2026

Final: Sunday 22 March 2026

When will the Carabao Cup fourth round be played?

Wednesday 24 September 2025 22:00

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Jamie Braidwood

The fourth-round fixtures are set to take place during the week commencing Monday 27 October with most matches kicking off on the evening of Tuesday 28 October or Wednesday 29 October.

Carabao Cup draw ball numbers

Wednesday 24 September 2025 21:58

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Mike Jones

  1. Grimsby Town
  2. Brentford
  3. Crystal Palace
  4. Swansea City
  5. Brighton
  6. Cardiff
  7. Fulham
  8. Chelsea
  9. Wycombe Wanderers
  10. Wolves
  11. Wrexham
  12. Liverpool
  13. Man City
  14. Tottenham
  15. Newcastle
  16. Arsenal

Federico Chiesa relishes challenge of competition at Liverpool

Wednesday 24 September 2025 21:40

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Jamie Braidwood

Forward Federico Chiesa insists if he did not relish the challenge of competition posed by Liverpool's multi-talented squad he would have already left for an easier life.

The Italy international enjoyed his best game since arriving as last summer's sole signing with a man-of-the-match performance in Tuesday night's 2-1 Carabao Cup win at home to Championship side Southampton.

"I play for a top club. This is maybe one of the top three in the world," he said.

"It's Liverpool - of course they are going to buy top players; of course the competition is high. If I don't want competition, I go to another team.

"But I want the competition, I want to play here. Competition helps you to become a better player."

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Wrexham through to Carabao Cup fourth round for first time since 1977

Wednesday 24 September 2025 21:30

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Jamie Braidwood

Nathan Broadhead inspired Wrexham to a 2-0 victory over League One Reading to take them into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Reading had a proven track record of beating Championship opposition on the way to the third round with a win over Portsmouth in the first round.

However, Wrexham showed their superiority with Broadhead able to net a devastating brace to secure their place in the next round.

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Swansea produce stoppage-time fightback to stun Nottingham Forest

Wednesday 24 September 2025 21:25

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Jamie Braidwood

Swansea scored twice in stoppage time to complete a stunning comeback and knock Premier League side Nottingham Forest out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win in Wales.

Ange Postecoglou could only watch on in horror as his side surrendered a two-goal half-time lead, courtesy of Igor Jesus' double, and fluffed a host of big chances after the break to allow battling Swansea to come back into the third-round tie with three second-half strikes.

Cameron Burgess notched the first brace of his career either side of Zan Vipotnik's leveller as the 2013 winners advanced to the last 16.

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Grimsby pull off another shock as Carabao Cup fairytale continues

Wednesday 24 September 2025 21:10

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Jamie Braidwood

Grimsby progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup for the first time in 24 years thanks to a 1-0 win over a youthful Sheffield Wednesday side at Hillsborough.

The two clubs pulled off the biggest shocks in round two, with the League Two Mariners upsetting Manchester United on penalties after Wednesday's youngsters embarrassed Yorkshire rivals Leeds in similar circumstances.

Jaze Kabia headed the 49th-minute winner on Tuesday as Grimsby deservedly overcame an inexperienced Owls team featuring eight academy players in the starting XI.

Around 6,000 travelling fans celebrated the success in South Yorkshire.

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Fulham edge past Cambridge in Carabao Cup thanks to Emile Smith Rowe winner

Wednesday 24 September 2025 20:55

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Jamie Braidwood

A much-changed Fulham were given a stern test by Cambridge but prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal midway through the second half by Emile Smith Rowe as Marco Silva’s side were spared embarrassment at Craven Cottage.

The ground was barely half full for the Carabao Cup tie and the hosts offered those in attendance little to get excited about before ultimately limping through to round four.

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Vitor Pereira happy to have the smiles back as Wolves beat Everton

Wednesday 24 September 2025 20:40

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Jamie Braidwood

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira admits he missed seeing smiles on the faces of his players and the club’s fans after his side put aside their poor Premier League form to beat Everton 2-0 in the Carabao Cup third round.

Pereira’s team have lost all five of their league games this season, but Marshall Munetsi’s 29th-minute goal and Tolu Arokodare’s late strike earned them a second victory in this season’s cup competition and booked their place in the fourth-round draw.

Wanderers had previously failed to keep a clean sheet this season but kept out an Everton side that threw on Jack Grealish, Beto, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in search of an equaliser in the second half.

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Cardiff boss says family want Arsenal in Carabao Cup fourth round

Wednesday 24 September 2025 20:25

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Jamie Braidwood

Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said he his family want to play Arsenal in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after the Bluebirds shocked Burnley.

“I’ve not got any particular choice for the next round. A lot of my wife’s family are Arsenal fans so they’ll be hoping for them but, really, I don’t have a preference.

“If you did push me I’d say a home tie because of the amount of travelling ourselves and the fans have to do.

“It’s great to progress and we take this competition very seriously. I’m really happy to go through.”