EFL Cup REVIEW 16 Sep 2026: Man United blow 2-0 lead in Carabao Cup exit

Man United suffered a Carabao Cup exit at Old Trafford for a second successive season, and did so in remarkable fashion: 2-0 up inside ten minutes against Brighton and Hove Albion, they lost 3-2. Shea Lacey curled in an 8th-minute opener before Mason Mount added a second in the 10th, but Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back in first-half stoppage time, Pascal Gross levelled in the 65th, and substitute Maxim De Cuyper scored the winner in the 70th. Manager Michael Carrick said afterwards: "We can't accept that as a group. I take responsibility for it."

Aston Villa also came through in eventful fashion at Coventry City, winning 3-1. Tammy Abraham opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Victor Torp levelled with a free-kick in the 27th, and Ross Barkley restored Villa's lead with a header in the 40th before Abraham added a second in the 59th.

Fleetwood Town reached the Carabao Cup fourth round for the first time in their history, beating Sheffield United 1-0 through a 57th-minute own goal from Rhys Norrington-Davies. Everton needed a second-half substitute to see off Wolves, Carlos Alcaraz settling it with an 80th-minute winner.