| Carabao Cup, League Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Country | England Wales |
| Dates | 31 July 2021 – 27 February 2022 |
| Teams | 92 |
| Defending champions | Manchester City |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Liverpool(9th title) |
| Runners-up | Chelsea |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 93 |
| Goals scored | 256 (2.75 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Marcus Forss Eddie Nketiah (5 goals each) |
The2021–22 EFL Cup was the 62nd season of theEFL Cup (known as theCarabao Cup for sponsorship reasons). The competition was open to all clubs participating in thePremier League and theEnglish Football League.
The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League.[1]
The competition began on 31 July 2021, and thefinal was played atWembley Stadium on 27 February 2022 betweenChelsea andLiverpool,[2] with Liverpool winning a record ninth title 11–10 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra time.[3]
Manchester City were the holders, having won the previous four editions, but they were eliminated byWest Ham United on penalties in the fourth round.
All 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League entered the season's EFL Cup. Access was distributed across the top 4 leagues of theEnglish football league system. For the first two rounds, the draw was regionalised into northern and southern clubs.
In the first round, 22 of 24Championship clubs, and allLeague One andLeague Two clubs entered.
The following round, the two remaining Championship clubs, who finished 18th and 19th in the2020–21 Premier League season (Fulham andWest Bromwich Albion), and thePremier League clubs not involved in either theChampions League,Europa League, orEuropa Conference League entered.
| Clubs entering in this round | Clubs advancing from previous round | Number of games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First round (70 clubs) |
|
| 35 |
| Second round (50 clubs) |
|
| 25 |
| Third round (32 clubs) |
|
| 16 |
| Fourth round (16 clubs) |
|
| 8 |
| Quarter-finals (8 clubs) |
|
| 4 |
| Semi-finals (4 clubs) |
|
| 4 (two-legged) |
| Final (2 clubs) |
|
| 1 |
A total of 70 clubs played in the first round: 24 fromLeague Two (tier 4), 24 fromLeague One (tier 3), and 22 from theChampionship (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.
| 1 August 2021 | Sheffield Wednesday (3) | 0–0 (2–4p) | Huddersfield Town (2) | Sheffield |
| 13:00BST | Report | Stadium:Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 12,860 Referee: Darren Bond | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 10 August 2021 | Barrow (4) | 1–0 | Scunthorpe United (4) | Barrow-in-Furness |
| 19:45BST | Sea 50' | Report | Stadium:Holker Street Attendance: 1,320 Referee:Oliver Langford |
| 10 August 2021 | Blackburn Rovers (2) | 1–2 | Morecambe (3) | Blackburn |
| 19:45BST | Dolan 22' | Report | Stadium:Ewood Park Attendance: 5,283 Referee: Steve Martin |
| 10 August 2021 | Bolton Wanderers (3) | 0–0 (5–4p) | Barnsley (2) | Horwich |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 7,147 Referee: Ollie Yates | ||
| Penalties | ||||
Sarcevic Isgrove Bakayoko Kachunga Sheehan | BensonKaneHelikJ. Williams Cole | |||
| 10 August 2021 | Derby County (2) | 3–3 (5–3p) | Salford City (4) | Derby |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Pride Park Stadium Attendance: 4,747 Referee: James Bell | |
| Penalties | ||||
| Shinnie Kazim-Richards Brown Forsyth Watson | MorrisBurgessTourayLund | |||
| 10 August 2021[a] | Harrogate Town (4) | w/o | Rochdale (4) | Harrogate |
| 19:45BST | Stadium:Wetherby Road |
| 10 August 2021 | Hartlepool United (4) | 0–1 | Crewe Alexandra (3) | Hartlepool |
| 19:45BST | Report | Ainley 50' | Stadium:Victoria Park Attendance: 3,149 Referee:Thomas Bramall |
| 10 August 2021 | Hull City (2) | 1–1 (7–8p) | Wigan Athletic (3) | Kingston upon Hull |
| 19:45BST | Lewis-Potter 55' | Report | Humphrys 50' | Stadium:MKM Stadium Attendance: 4,139 Referee: Martin Coy |
| Penalties | ||||
| Eaves Scott Wood Emmanuel M. Smith Jarvis Fleming Bernard | KeaneAasgaardJo. JonesMasseyNaylorJa. JonesRobinsonCousins | |||
| 10 August 2021 | Mansfield Town (4) | 0–3 | Preston North End (2) | Mansfield |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Field Mill Attendance: 2,526 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 10 August 2021 | Oldham Athletic (4) | 2–2 (4–3p) | Tranmere Rovers (4) | Oldham |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Boundary Park Attendance: 2,684 Referee: Scott Oldham | |
| Penalties | ||||
| Hart Keillor-Dunn Jameson Stobbs Adams | SpearingGlatzelMorrisClarkeDieseruvwe | |||
| 10 August 2021 | Port Vale (4) | 1–2 | Sunderland (3) | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45BST | Proctor 67' | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 3,267 Referee: Sam Allison |
| 10 August 2021 | Rotherham United (3) | 1–2 | Accrington Stanley (3) | Rotherham |
| 19:45BST | Sadlier 76' | Report | Stadium:New York Stadium Attendance: 3,131 Referee: Will Finnie |
| 10 August 2021 | Sheffield United (2) | 1–0 | Carlisle United (4) | Sheffield |
| 19:45BST | Brewster 24' | Report | Stadium:Bramall Lane Attendance: 6,778 Referee: James Oldham |
| 10 August 2021 | Shrewsbury Town (3) | 2–2 (4–2p) | Lincoln City (3) | Shrewsbury |
| 19:45BST | Udoh 69',79' | Report | Stadium:New Meadow Attendance: 2,069 Referee: Andy Haines | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 10 August 2021 | Stoke City (2) | 2–1 | Fleetwood Town (3) | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45BST | Report | Chester 90+4' (o.g.) | Stadium:Bet365 Stadium Attendance: 4,694 Referee: Anthony Backhouse |
| 10 August 2021 | Walsall (4) | 0–0 (3–4p) | Doncaster Rovers (3) | Walsall |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Bescot Stadium Attendance: 2,384 Referee: John Busby | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Wilkinson Phillips Osadebe Earing Kiernan Ward Kinsella | GardnerCloseCukurE. WilliamsBarlowAndersonKnoyle | |||
| 11 August 2021 | Blackpool (2) | 3–0 | Middlesbrough (2) | Blackpool |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 5,836 Referee:Bobby Madley |
| 11 August 2021 | Nottingham Forest (2) | 2–1 | Bradford City (4) | West Bridgford |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:City Ground Attendance: 9,514 Referee: Peter Wright |
| 31 July 2021 | Bournemouth (2) | 5–0 | Milton Keynes Dons (3) | Bournemouth |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Dean Court Attendance: 5,746 Referee: Sam Purkiss |
| 10 August 2021 | Birmingham City (2) | 1–0 | Colchester United (4) | Birmingham |
| 19:45BST | Oakley 75' | Report | Stadium:St Andrew's Attendance: 6,199 Referee: Declan Bourne |
| 10 August 2021 | Bristol Rovers (4) | 0–2 | Cheltenham Town (3) | Bristol |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,409 Referee: Lee Swabey |
| 10 August 2021 | Cambridge United (3) | 0–0 (3–1p) | Swindon Town (4) | Cambridge |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Abbey Stadium Attendance: 1,825 Referee: Trevor Kettle | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Ironside Smith Williams | PayneMcKirdyReedHunt | |||
| 10 August 2021 | Cardiff City (2) | 3–2 | Sutton United (4) | Cardiff |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 3,505 Referee: Josh Smith |
| 10 August 2021 | Charlton Athletic (3) | 0–1 | AFC Wimbledon (3) | Charlton |
| 19:45BST | Report | Osew 26' | Stadium:The Valley Attendance: 3,372 Referee: Robert Lewis |
| 10 August 2021 | Crawley Town (4) | 2–2 (9–10p) | Gillingham (3) | Crawley |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 1,904 Referee: Paul Howard | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Francomb Dallison Craig Powell Nadesan Hessenthaler Tilley Ferry Davies Francillette | LeeOliverLloydPhillipsO'KeefeTutondaMaghomaSitholeEhmerLintott | |||
| 10 August 2021 | Exeter City (4) | 0–0 (3–4p) | Wycombe Wanderers (3) | Exeter |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:St James Park Attendance: 2,555 Referee: David Rock | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Sparkes Sweeney Seymour J. Brown Grounds Dodd | VokesHorganSamuelMehmetiStockdalePendlebury | |||
| 10 August 2021 | Forest Green Rovers (4) | 2–2 (6–5p) | Bristol City (2) | Nailsworth |
| 19:45BST | Report | Janneh 39',67' | Stadium:The New Lawn Attendance: 2,554 Referee: Darren Drysdale | |
| Penalties | ||||
| Matt Young Hendry Adams Cadden Stevenson Sweeney | PalmerMassengoWellsConwayBakinsonJannehPring | |||
| 10 August 2021 | Ipswich Town (3) | 0–1 | Newport County (4) | Ipswich |
| 19:45BST | Report | Abraham 4' | Stadium:Portman Road Attendance: 6,144 Referee: Neil Hair |
| 10 August 2021 | Millwall (2) | 2–1 | Portsmouth (3) | Bermondsey |
| 19:45BST | Report | Hackett-Fairchild 4' | Stadium:The Den Attendance: 7,915 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 10 August 2021 | Peterborough United (2) | 0–4 | Plymouth Argyle (3) | Peterborough |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:London Road Stadium Attendance: 4,021 Referee: Ben Toner |
| 10 August 2021 | Reading (2) | 0–3 | Swansea City (2) | Reading |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Madejski Stadium Attendance: 4,989 Referee:Sam Barrott |
| 10 August 2021 | Stevenage (4) | 2–2 (3–0p) | Luton Town (2) | Stevenage |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Broadhall Way Attendance: 3,052 Referee: Andy Woolmer | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Lines James-Wildin Reeves | CornickMendes GomesPereira | |||
| 11 August 2021 | Burton Albion (3) | 1–1 (2–4p) | Oxford United (3) | Burton upon Trent |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 1,868 Referee: Seb Stockbridge | |
| Penalties | ||||
| Akins Shaughnessy O'Connor Blake-Tracy | SykesFordeAgyeiMousinho | |||
| 11 August 2021 | Coventry City (2) | 1–2 | Northampton Town (4) | Coventry |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:Ricoh Arena Attendance: 5,284 Referee: Ben Speedie |
| 11 August 2021 | Leyton Orient (4) | 1–1 (3–5p) | Queens Park Rangers (2) | Leyton |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:Brisbane Road Attendance: 4,071 Referee: Craig Hicks |
| Penalties | ||||
| Drinan Sotiriou James Kemp | DykesBallDozzellKelmanAdomah | |||
A total of 50 clubs played in the second round: the 35 winners from the first round, the 2 clubs from theChampionship (tier 2) who did not enter in the first round, plus the 13Premier League clubs who were not in European competition. 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. The draw was held on 11 August 2021 after the conclusion of the first round tie betweenLeyton Orient andQueens Park Rangers, live onSky Sports and it was made byAndy Townsend andJobi McAnuff at 21:15BST.[5]
| 24 August 2021 | Oldham Athletic (4) | 0–0 (5–4p) | Accrington Stanley (3) | Oldham |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Boundary Park Attendance: 2,362 Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Hart Keillor-Dunn Bahamboula Whelan Adams Luamba | SykesCharlesMorganSavinLeighButcher | |||
| 24 August 2021 | Wigan Athletic (3) | 0–0 (5–4p) | Bolton Wanderers (3) | Wigan |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:DW Stadium Attendance: 11,660 Referee:Thomas Bramall | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Power Aasgaard Jo. Jones Naylor Humphrys Ja. Jones | DoyleSarcevicLeeAfolayanSheehanDelfouneso | |||
| 24 August 2021 | Huddersfield Town (2) | 1–2 | Everton (1) | Huddersfield |
| 19:45BST | Lees 45' | Report | Stadium:John Smith's Stadium Attendance: 10,459 Referee: Matt Donohue |
| 24 August 2021 | Sheffield United (2) | 2–1 | Derby County (2) | Sheffield |
| 19:45BST | Report | Sibley 44' | Stadium:Bramall Lane Attendance: 7,973 Referee: Anthony Backhouse |
| 24 August 2021 | Stoke City (2) | 2–0 | Doncaster Rovers (3) | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:bet365 Stadium Attendance: 6,193 Referee: Marc Edwards |
| 24 August 2021 | Shrewsbury Town (3) | 0–2 | Rochdale (4) | Shrewsbury |
| 19:00BST | Report | Stadium:Montgomery Waters Meadow Attendance: 2,229 Referee: Scott Oldham |
| 24 August 2021 | Nottingham Forest (2) | 0–4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) | West Bridgford |
| 20:00BST | Report |
| Stadium:City Ground Attendance: 10,769 Referee: Andy Davies |
| 24 August 2021 | Morecambe (3) | 2–4 | Preston North End (2) | Morecambe |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Mazuma Stadium Attendance: 4,334 Referee: James Oldham |
| 24 August 2021 | Blackpool (2) | 2–3 | Sunderland (3) | Blackpool |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 5,756 Referee: Peter Wright |
| 24 August 2021 | Leeds United (1) | 3–0 | Crewe Alexandra (3) | Beeston |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Elland Road Attendance: 34,154 Referee: Benjamin Speedie |
| 24 August 2021 | Barrow (4) | 0–6 | Aston Villa (1) | Barrow-in-Furness |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Progression Solicitors Stadium Attendance: 5,349 Referee: Martin Coy |
| 25 August 2021 | Newcastle United (1) | 0–0 (3–4p) | Burnley (1) | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:St James' Park Attendance: 30,082 Referee:Oliver Langford | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Saint-Maximin Willock Joelinton S. Longstaff Almirón | WoodBarnesMcNeilBrownhillTaylor | |||
| 24 August 2021 | Brentford (1) | 3–1 | Forest Green Rovers (4) | Brentford |
| 19:45BST | Report | Aitchison 8' | Stadium:Brentford Community Stadium Attendance: 12,137 Referee: Will Finnie |
| 24 August 2021 | Millwall (2) | 3–1 | Cambridge United (3) | Bermondsey |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:The Den Attendance: 4,005 Referee: Neil Hair |
| 24 August 2021 | Norwich City (1) | 6–0 | Bournemouth (2) | Norwich |
| 19:00BST | Report | Stadium:Carrow Road Attendance: 20,090 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 24 August 2021 | Cardiff City (2) | 0–2 | Brighton & Hove Albion (1) | Cardiff |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 6,013 Referee: James Bell |
| 24 August 2021 | Birmingham City (2) | 0–2 | Fulham (2) | Bordesley |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:St Andrew's Attendance: 4,783 Referee:Sam Barrott |
| 24 August 2021 | Gillingham (3) | 1–1 (4–5p) | Cheltenham Town (3) | Gillingham |
| 19:45BST | Oliver 20' | Report | May 24' | Stadium:MEMS Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 2,151 Referee: David Rock |
| Penalties | ||||
| Lee O'Keefe Lloyd Carayol Adshead | ThomasWrightLloydTozerChapman | |||
| 24 August 2021 | Queens Park Rangers (2) | 2–0 | Oxford United (3) | White City |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium Attendance: 8,154 Referee: Tom Nield |
| 24 August 2021 | Swansea City (2) | 4–1 | Plymouth Argyle (3) | Swansea |
| 19:00BST |
| Report | Shirley 63' | Stadium:Swansea.com Stadium Attendance: 7,491 Referee:Robert Madley |
| 24 August 2021 | Stevenage (4) | 2–2 (3–5p) | Wycombe Wanderers (3) | Stevenage |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Lamex Stadium Attendance: 1,934 Referee: Declan Bourne | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Norris James-Wildin Reeves Coker | JacobsonHorganPendleburyMehmetiDe Barr | |||
| 24 August 2021 | Northampton Town (4) | 0–1 | AFC Wimbledon (3) | Northampton |
| 19:45BST | Report | Hartigan 90+4' | Stadium:Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 3,257 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 24 August 2021 | Watford (1) | 1–0 | Crystal Palace (1) | Watford |
| 19:45BST | Fletcher 86' | Report | Stadium:Vicarage Road Attendance: 9,011 Referee:Tim Robinson |
| 25 August 2021 | West Bromwich Albion (2) | 0–6 | Arsenal (1) | West Bromwich |
| 20:00BST | Report |
| Stadium:The Hawthorns Attendance: 17,016 Referee: David Webb |
| 25 August 2021 | Newport County (4) | 0–8 | Southampton (1) | Newport |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Rodney Parade Attendance: 7,002 Referee:Darren Drysdale |
A total of 32 teams played in the third round.Chelsea,Leicester City,Liverpool,Manchester City,Manchester United,Tottenham Hotspur, andWest Ham United entered in this round due to their participation in either the2021–22 UEFA Champions League, the2021–22 UEFA Europa League, or the2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League. The draw was made on 25 August 2021 live onSky Sports after the conclusion of the second round tie betweenWest Bromwich Albion vsArsenal byKevin Phillips andKevin Campbell.[6] Unlike the previous rounds this round was not split into northern and southern sections. Tiebreakers were decided by penalty.
Oldham Athletic andRochdale were the lowest level teams that were still in the competition.
| 21 September 2021 | Burnley (1) | 4–1 | Rochdale (4) | Burnley |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:Turf Moor Attendance: 9,125 Referee: Geoff Eltringham |
| 21 September 2021 | Fulham (2) | 0–0 (5–6p) | Leeds United (1) | Fulham |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Craven Cottage Attendance: 11,299 Referee:Tim Robinson | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 21 September 2021 | Manchester City (1) | 6–1 | Wycombe Wanderers (3) | Manchester |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Etihad Stadium Attendance: 30,959 Referee:Robert Jones |
| 21 September 2021 | Norwich City (1) | 0–3 | Liverpool (1) | Norwich |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Carrow Road Attendance: 26,353 Referee:Darren England |
| 21 September 2021 | Preston North End (2) | 4–1 | Cheltenham Town (3) | Preston |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:Deepdale Attendance: 6,561 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| 21 September 2021 | Queens Park Rangers (2) | 2–2 (8–7p) | Everton (1) | White City |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium Attendance: 12,888 Referee:Kevin Friend | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 21 September 2021 | Sheffield United (2) | 2–2 (2–4p) | Southampton (1) | Sheffield |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Bramall Lane Attendance: 8,934 Referee:John Brooks | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 21 September 2021 | Watford (1) | 1–3 | Stoke City (2) | Watford |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Vicarage Road Attendance: 8,421 Referee: Tony Harrington |
| 21 September 2021 | Wigan Athletic (3) | 0–2 | Sunderland (3) | Wigan |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:DW Stadium Attendance: 6,511 Referee: Leigh Doughty |
| 21 September 2021 | Brentford (1) | 7–0 | Oldham Athletic (4) | Brentford |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Brentford Community Stadium Attendance: 12,819 Referee:Simon Hooper |
| 22 September 2021 | Brighton & Hove Albion (1) | 2–0 | Swansea City (2) | Brighton |
| 19:30BST |
| Report | Stadium:Falmer Stadium Attendance: 8,838 Referee: Michael Salisbury |
| 22 September 2021 | Arsenal (1) | 3–0 | AFC Wimbledon (3) | Holloway |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Emirates Stadium Attendance: 56,276 Referee:Jarred Gillett |
| 22 September 2021 | Chelsea (1) | 1–1 (4–3p) | Aston Villa (1) | Fulham |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:Stamford Bridge Attendance: 35,892 Referee:Graham Scott |
| Penalties | ||||
| 22 September 2021 | Manchester United (1) | 0–1 | West Ham United (1) | Manchester |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Old Trafford Attendance: 72,568 Referee:Jonathan Moss |
| 22 September 2021 | Millwall (2) | 0–2 | Leicester City (1) | Bermondsey |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:The Den Attendance: 9,985 Referee:Andy Madley |
| 22 September 2021 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) | 2–2 (2–3p) | Tottenham Hotspur (1) | Wolverhampton |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Molineux Stadium Attendance: 28,798 Referee:Peter Bankes | |
| Penalties | ||||
A total of 16 teams played in this round. The ties were played during the week commencing 25 October 2021. League One sideSunderland were the only team from the third division or lower left in the competition.
| 26 October 2021 | Chelsea (1) | 1–1 (4–3p) | Southampton (1) | Fulham |
| 19:45BST |
| Report |
| Stadium:Stamford Bridge Attendance: 39,766 Referee:Kevin Friend |
| Penalties | ||||
| 26 October 2021 | Arsenal (1) | 2–0 | Leeds United (1) | Holloway |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Emirates Stadium Attendance: 59,126 Referee:Andre Marriner |
| 26 October 2021 | Queens Park Rangers (2) | 0–0 (1–3p) | Sunderland (3) | Shepherd's Bush |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium Attendance: 15,372 Referee:Keith Stroud | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 27 October 2021 | Stoke City (2) | 1–2 | Brentford (1) | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Bet365 Stadium Attendance: 9,584 Referee: Michael Salisbury |
| 27 October 2021 | West Ham United (1) | 0–0 (5–3p) | Manchester City (1) | Stratford |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:London Stadium Attendance: 60,000 Referee:Jonathan Moss | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 27 October 2021 | Leicester City (1) | 2–2 (4–2p) | Brighton & Hove Albion (1) | Leicester |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:King Power Stadium Attendance: 21,163 Referee:Jarred Gillett | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 27 October 2021 | Burnley (1) | 0–1 | Tottenham Hotspur (1) | Burnley |
| 19:45BST | Report |
| Stadium:Turf Moor Attendance: 14,637 Referee:Peter Bankes |
| 27 October 2021 | Preston North End (2) | 0–2 | Liverpool (1) | Preston |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Deepdale Attendance: 22,131 Referee:David Coote |
A total of eight teams played in this round. The draw was held on 30 October 2021.[7] The ties were played during the week commencing 20 December 2021. League One sideSunderland were the only team from outside thePremier League left in the competition.
| 21 December 2021 | Arsenal (1) | 5–1 | Sunderland (3) | Holloway |
| 19:45GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Emirates Stadium Attendance: 59,027 Referee:Robert Jones |
| 22 December 2021 | Brentford (1) | 0–2 | Chelsea (1) | Brentford |
| 19:45GMT | Report | Stadium:Brentford Community Stadium Attendance: 16,577 Referee:Andre Marriner |
| 22 December 2021 | Liverpool (1) | 3–3 (5–4p) | Leicester City (1) | Liverpool |
| 19:45GMT |
| Report | Stadium:Anfield Attendance: 52,020 Referee:Andrew Madley | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 22 December 2021 | Tottenham Hotspur (1) | 2–1 | West Ham United (1) | Tottenham |
| 19:45GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Attendance: 40,031 Referee:Chris Kavanagh |
A total of four teams, all of which were from the Premier League, played in this round. The draw was held on 22 December 2021.
This season saw the return of double-legged semi-finals as with the2019–20 EFL Cup after the2020–21 EFL Cup semi-finals were played over a single leg due to fixture congestion caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[8] The first and second legs were originally scheduled to be played during the weeks commencing 3 January 2022 and 10 January 2022, respectively. However, on 5 January 2022, theEFL postponed the first-leg match betweenArsenal andLiverpool, originally scheduled for 6 January 2022, to 13 January 2022, due to aCOVID-19 outbreak among Liverpool's players and staff.[9] This also led to a switch to Liverpool home for the first leg, and Arsenal home for the second leg on 20 January 2022.
| Chelsea (1) | 2–0 | Tottenham Hotspur (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
| Tottenham Hotspur (1) | 0–1 | Chelsea (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Chelsea won 3–0 on aggregate.
Liverpool won 2–0 on aggregate.
Chelsea playedLiverpool in the final, which was held on 27 February 2022. This saw the return of theEFL Cup Final to its February slot as with the2020 EFL Cup Final, as the2021 EFL Cup Final was played in April so that spectators could attend due toCOVID-19 restrictions in England. It was played atWembley Stadium inWembley in theLondon Borough of Brent. The winner qualifies for the2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League unless they have qualified for the2022–23 UEFA Champions League or2022–23 UEFA Europa League.
