Goals galore - the wildest scores in EFL Cup history

What the report says

BBC Sport Football published a roundup of some of the most extreme scorelines and finishes in EFL Cup history as the competition began a new season. The piece highlights how early-round matches can produce high-scoring upsets, heavy defeats and dramatic penalty shootouts, often involving a mix of top-flight clubs and lower-league opposition.

Among the standout examples is Dagenham & Redbridge’s 6-6 draw with Brentford in 2014, which remains tied for the highest-scoring match in the competition. BBC also revisits Aston Villa’s 8-3 comeback at Wycombe in 2005, West Ham United’s 10-0 win over Bury in 1983, and Liverpool’s 10-0 demolition of Fulham in 1986. More recent high drama included Arsenal’s 7-5 extra-time win at Reading in 2012 after trailing 4-0, and Manchester City’s 9-0 first-leg victory over Burton Albion in the 2019 semi-finals.

The article also notes that not all record-breaking ties are about goals in open play. Preston North End’s 2024 third-round win over Fulham on penalties, after a 1-1 draw, set a new EFL Cup record for the longest shootout, with 34 spot-kicks taken. The examples underline the cup’s reputation for unpredictability, especially in the early rounds when squad rotation and mismatched opposition can lead to unusual results.