What a night of drama in the Carabao Cup! The competition, also known as the EFL Cup, has once again proved why it’s one of the most exciting tournaments in English football. Just when you think you know who the favourites are, a major shock happens, and the path to the final opens up for new contenders.
The fourth round delivered incredible action, but the biggest headline is the shock exit of Liverpool! The Reds, a team expected to compete for every trophy, were ruthlessly dismantled 3-0 at Anfield by a brilliant Crystal Palace side. This unexpected defeat means a Premier League giant has been knocked out, changing everything for the Carabao Cup 2025/26! This massive result sets up a thrilling quarter-final draw. If you missed the action, we have the match results, EFL Cup highlights, and predictions for the next round, all in easy-to-understand English.
Football Excitement Is Here: Explore the Best Football Fixtures, Results & Analysis This Week
Matchday Results: Upsets and Seven-Goal Thrillers
The latest Carabao Cup fixtures, played in the week commencing October 27, 2025, gave us unforgettable moments. The biggest story, as mentioned, was Liverpool's 0-3 home loss to Crystal Palace. The Reds, who rested many key players, were no match for a strong Palace side.
Here are the other key match results that confirmed the eight quarter-finalists:
| Match Fixture | Result | Key Takeaway |
| Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace | 0-3 | The biggest shock exit! Palace were clinical and deserved their win. |
| Wolves vs. Chelsea | 3-4 | A seven-goal thriller! Chelsea survived a huge comeback by Wolves thanks to some exciting young players. |
| Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur | 2-0 | Holders Newcastle proved too strong for their Premier League rivals Spurs. |
| Arsenal vs. Brighton | 2-0 | A professional win for Arsenal, keeping their impressive run of form going. |
| Swansea vs. Manchester City | 1-3 | City recovered from an early goal to win comfortably against the Championship side. |
| Grimsby Town vs. Brentford | 0-5 | Brentford cruised into the next round with a dominant performance. |
| Wycombe Wanderers vs. Fulham | 1-1 (4-5P) | Fulham won a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their spot. |
| Wrexham vs. Cardiff City | 1-2 | Championship side Cardiff defeated their Welsh rivals Wrexham in a close match. |
Top Performers and Shock Exits
The biggest shock exit is clearly Liverpool. Manager Arne Slot chose to rest most of his star players, but the decision completely backfired, leaving the Reds out of the competition much earlier than expected. Tottenham Hotspur were also knocked out by defending champions Newcastle, ending their cup run.
On the flip side, some players truly shone:
Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace): Scored twice against Liverpool, leading his team to a stunning victory.
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal): The young talent scored his first senior goal, showing the depth of the Arsenal squad.
Chelsea's Young Stars: Players like Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estevão Willian, and Jamie Gittens all scored against Wolves, proving that Chelsea's focus on youth development is paying off.
Quarter-Final Draw Breakdown (As reported by Sky Sports)
The official Carabao Cup 2025/26 quarter-final draw was held live on Sky Sports and has given us four fantastic ties. The remaining eight teams—six from the Premier League, one from the Championship (Cardiff City), and one from the EFL Championship (Fulham)—will battle it out for a place in the semi-finals.
Here are the confirmed Carabao Cup fixtures:
- Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace
- Cardiff City vs. Chelsea
- Manchester City vs. Brentford
- Newcastle United vs. Fulham
The draw has set up a massive all-Premier League clash between Arsenal and the giant-killers Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Chelsea will travel to face Championship side Cardiff City, which looks like a great opportunity for the Welsh team to cause another upset! Defending champions Newcastle will host Fulham, and Manchester City will take on Brentford in what promises to be a tight game.
What to Expect Next: Predictions and Dates
The quarter-final stage is where the tournament gets really serious. The winning teams will be just two games (the two-legged semi-final) away from the final at Wembley!
Here are our predictions for the quarter-finals:
- Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace: Arsenal are in strong form and should just have enough quality at home to overcome the determined Palace side. Prediction: Arsenal win.
- Cardiff City vs. Chelsea: This is a tricky tie for Chelsea, but their talented young players should see them through. Cardiff's home advantage will make it tough! Prediction: Chelsea win.
- Manchester City vs. Brentford: City are huge favourites to win the Carabao Cup 2025/26, but Brentford are tough opponents. City's home advantage should give them the edge. Prediction: Manchester City win.
Newcastle United vs. Fulham: Newcastle are the current holders and look very strong. At St. James' Park, they should be too powerful for Fulham. Prediction: Newcastle United win.
The Carabao Cup quarter-final fixtures are all scheduled to be played in the week commencing December 15, 2025. Make sure you check your local TV listings (like Sky Sports) for the exact dates and times to catch all the best EFL Cup highlights!
When is the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final Draw? Date, Time, Qualified Teams & How to Watch Live
With Liverpool out, the competition is wide open. Will Newcastle defend their title? Can Manchester City reclaim the trophy? Or will Arsenal or Chelsea rise to the occasion? Keep following the journey!