BBC Sport reviews highest-scoring EFL Cup matches
As the competition prepares for its new season, the broadcaster highlights historic scorelines ranging from 12-goal thrillers to record penalty shootouts.
BBC Sport published an article on 8 August 2026 highlighting the highest-scoring games in English Football League Cup history as the competition returns for a new season. The piece details several record-breaking fixtures, including a 12-goal thriller between Dagenham and Redbridge and Brentford, and Arsenal’s 7-5 victory over Reading. Other notable matches cited include Manchester City’s 10-0 aggregate win against Burton Albion, Liverpool’s 10-goal demolition of Fulham, and Preston North End’s record 34-kick penalty shootout victory over Fulham in 2024.
The review notes that the EFL Cup has historically provided high-scoring games, often due to early rounds allowing clubs to experiment with young players or shake off pre-season rust. The tournament, previously known as the Milk Cup and the Carabao Cup, has seen instances where early-round experimentation leads to staggering scorelines. Previous records include a 14-13 penalty shootout win for Derby County over Carlisle United in 2016 and West Ham United’s record 10-1 victory over Bury in 1983.
Among the specific fixtures highlighted, the article details a 12-goal tie between Dagenham & Redbridge and Brentford that ended 6-6 after extra time and was decided by penalties. It also cites Arsenal’s 7-5 victory over Reading in 2012, where the Gunners came back from 4-0 down. Manchester City’s 10-0 aggregate win against Burton Albion in the 2019 semi-finals and Liverpool’s 10-goal demolition of Fulham in 1986 are also noted as significant historical benchmarks.
The source material further references Aston Villa overturning a 3-1 deficit to beat Wycombe Wanderers 8-3 in 2005. The article suggests that while clubs use the early rounds to give experience to young players or sneak an early season upset, these strategic decisions can result in the wild scorelines documented in the review.
The publication of this review coincides with the start of the new EFL Cup season, providing context for the competition’s legacy of high-scoring encounters. The data presented spans from the 1980s to 2024, illustrating the enduring nature of these record-breaking fixtures within the tournament’s history.
