The EFL Cup, a thrilling knockout competition in English football, captures the hearts of fans every season with its unpredictable twists and electrifying moments. Now in its 65th year as of the 2024-2025 season, this tournament, also known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, brings together all 92 clubs from the Premier League and the English Football League. Whether you cheer for a top-tier giant or a scrappy underdog, the EFL Cup offers something special—an equal shot at glory, a chance to shine, and a ticket to European football. With the current season wrapping up and Newcastle United lifting the trophy, let’s dive into the latest stats, standout performances, and fascinating trends that shaped this year’s competition.
As of today, April 9, 2025, the dust has settled on another memorable EFL Cup campaign. Newcastle United emerged victorious, defeating Liverpool 4-0 on aggregate in the final, marking their first title in the competition and their first domestic trophy since the 1954-55 FA Cup. This article explores the numbers behind the goals, the players who lit up the pitch, and the teams that defied expectations. So, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s unpack the magic of the 2024-2025 EFL Cup season.
What Makes the EFL Cup So Special?
The EFL Cup stands out because it levels the playing field in English football. Unlike the Premier League, where money and squad depth often dictate success, this knockout tournament thrives on surprises and single-game heroics. Every August, 92 teams—20 from the Premier League and 72 from the Championship, League One, and League Two—kick off their journey with dreams of reaching the final in late February or early March. The winner earns not just bragging rights but also a spot in the UEFA Conference League play-off round, adding extra stakes to the prize.
This season, the competition showcased its signature drama once again. From early-round upsets to nail-biting penalty shootouts, the 2024-2025 EFL Cup delivered excitement at every turn. Moreover, the tournament’s structure, with its regionalized early rounds and gradual entry of top clubs, keeps fans engaged from start to finish. By the time the quarter-finals rolled around, eight Premier League teams battled it out, proving that while underdogs can steal the spotlight, the big dogs often bark loudest in the end.
The Road to Glory: How the 2024-2025 Season Unfolded
The 2024-2025 EFL Cup kicked off in August with the first round, featuring 70 teams from League Two, League One, and 22 of the 24 Championship clubs. Organizers split the draw into northern and southern sections to reduce travel costs and boost local rivalries, setting the stage for some cracking early matches. Fast forward to the second round, and 13 Premier League clubs not involved in European competitions joined the fray, alongside Championship sides Luton Town and Burnley, who earned their spots after finishing 18th and 19th in the previous Premier League season.
As the rounds progressed, the competition heated up. The third round welcomed the heavy hitters—Premier League teams competing in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League—making every matchup a potential blockbuster. By the fourth round, only 16 teams remained, and the quarter-finals marked a turning point: all eight surviving clubs hailed from the Premier League, a feat not seen since the 2009-10 season. Then, the semi-finals narrowed the field to four, culminating in Newcastle United’s dominant triumph over Liverpool in the final.
Newcastle’s Historic Victory: Breaking Down the Final
Newcastle United fans will remember March 16, 2025, for years to come. Facing off against defending champions Liverpool in the EFL Cup final, the Magpies delivered a masterclass, winning 4-0 on aggregate across two legs. This victory ended a decades-long drought for Newcastle, who last tasted domestic success in 1955. Manager Eddie Howe’s tactical brilliance and the team’s relentless energy turned the tide against a Liverpool side that had dominated the competition with 10 titles in its history.
In the first leg at St. James’ Park, Newcastle stormed to a 3-0 lead, with Alexander Isak scoring twice and Bruno Guimarães adding a stunning long-range effort. The second leg at Anfield saw Liverpool push hard but fail to break through Newcastle’s rock-solid defense, with Miguel Almirón sealing the deal with a late goal. This result not only handed Newcastle their first EFL Cup but also showcased their resurgence as a force in English football.
Top Scorers: Who Lit Up the Scoreboard?
Goals drive football, and the 2024-2025 EFL Cup saw plenty of them. Leading the pack, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford claimed the top scorer title with an impressive 6 goals, a feat he also achieved in the 2023-2024 season. Rashford’s pace, precision, and knack for finding the net made him a standout, even though his team bowed out in the quarter-finals against Newcastle. His performances reminded fans why he remains one of England’s brightest talents.
Hot on Rashford’s heels, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak bagged 5 goals, including his brace in the final’s first leg. Isak’s clinical finishing and clever movement proved vital to Newcastle’s title run. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s Son Heung-min notched 4 goals before his team fell in the semi-finals to Liverpool, showcasing his flair and consistency. Other notable scorers included Chelsea’s Cole Palmer with 4 goals and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka with 3, each leaving their mark on the tournament.
Goal-Scoring Trends: Numbers That Tell the Story
This season, the EFL Cup averaged 2.8 goals per game across all rounds, slightly up from the 2.6 average in 2023-2024. The early rounds saw the highest scoring rate, with League One and League Two sides often involved in wild, high-scoring affairs. For instance, Preston North End thrashed Harrogate Town 5-0 in the second round, while Barrow stunned Derby County 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Interestingly, the quarter-finals and semi-finals tightened up, averaging just 2.2 goals per game as Premier League teams leaned on defensive discipline. Newcastle bucked this trend in the final, however, exploiting Liverpool’s uncharacteristically shaky backline. Overall, 35% of matches featured three or more goals, highlighting the competition’s attacking flair, while 15% ended in penalty shootouts, adding extra drama to the knockout format.
Underdog Heroes: Lower-League Teams That Shocked the Big Boys
The EFL Cup thrives on upsets, and this season didn’t disappoint. Championship side Preston North End made waves by reaching the fourth round, toppling Premier League outfit Fulham 2-1 in the third round. Striker Milutin Osmajić scored the winner, sending Deepdale into raptures and proving that lower-tier teams can punch above their weight. Similarly, Sheffield Wednesday, another Championship club, knocked out Brentford 3-2 in a thrilling second-round clash, with Liam Palmer’s late strike sealing the deal.
League One’s Barnsley also grabbed headlines, ousting Sheffield United 1-0 in the first round thanks to a gritty defensive display and a lone goal from Max Watters. These victories underscored the EFL Cup’s charm—any team, on any given day, can topple a giant. Although no League Two side reached the fourth round this year, their spirited efforts in the opening stages kept fans buzzing and reminded everyone why this competition matters.
Attendance and Atmosphere: Fans Fuel the Fire
Football without fans feels empty, and the 2024-2025 EFL Cup drew massive crowds. The season’s total attendance hit 1.6 million, with an average of 16,715 per game—numbers that mirror last year’s figures. The final at Wembley Stadium packed in 87,000 supporters, creating an electric atmosphere as Newcastle fans roared their team to victory. Earlier rounds saw smaller venues like Barrow’s Holker Street (5,200 attendees) and Sutton United’s Gander Green Lane (4,800) sell out, proving the competition’s appeal spans all levels.
Clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool consistently drew over 50,000 for home ties, while lower-league sides enjoyed bumper crowds during upsets. The passion of the fans, from chants echoing through packed stands to flares lighting up the night, amplified the stakes and made every goal feel monumental. Sky Sports, broadcasting all matches live this season, captured these scenes perfectly, bringing the EFL Cup’s raw energy to millions more at home.
FAQs:
1. Which team won the 2024-2025 EFL Cup, and how did they do it?
Newcastle United claimed the 2024-2025 EFL Cup, beating Liverpool 4-0 on aggregate in the final. They dominated the first leg at home with a 3-0 victory, thanks to Alexander Isak’s brace and Bruno Guimarães’ stunner, then finished the job at Anfield with a 1-0 win, capped by Miguel Almirón’s goal.
2. Who scored the most goals in this season’s EFL Cup, and how many?
Milan Momcilovic Marcus Rashford of Manchester United topped the scoring charts with 6 goals. Despite his team’s exit in the quarter-finals, Rashford’s electric performances, including a hat-trick against Crystal Palace in the fourth round, earned him the honor for the second straight season.
3. How many teams from the lower leagues reached the quarter-finals this year?
Detroit No teams from League One or League Two made it to the quarter-finals in 2024-2025. The last eight featured only Premier League clubs, a rare occurrence last seen in 2009-10, though Championship sides like Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday shone in earlier rounds.
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