Full Breakdown
Shock Upset and Penalty Drama in the Carabao Cup Fourth Round
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event
On October 28, 2026 three English League Cup fourth-round ties were decided by penalty shootouts.
- Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion – The Etihad match ended 2-2; backup goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli saved Brighton’s final two spot-kicks to give City a 4-3 shootout win.
- Liverpool vs Chelsea – Anfield saw a 1-1 draw; Liverpool won 6-5 on penalties after Chelsea missed two kicks.
- Arsenal vs Fleetwood Town – At Highbury, Arsenal were held 1-1. Fleetwood’s teenage defender Conor Haughey converted the decisive penalty, securing a 5-3 shootout win for the League Two side. Arsenal finished with ten men after Max Dowman was sent off.
These results advanced Manchester City, Liverpool and Fleetwood Town to the quarter-finals, joining Bournemouth, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Bradford City.
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02
Background & Context
The Carabao Cup’s fourth round pits 32 clubs in single-leg ties; if level after 90 minutes the match proceeds directly to penalties. Defending champions Manchester City were seeking a seventh title. Arsenal entered as reigning Premier League champions, while Fleetwood Town, a League Two club, had never previously reached this stage.
Visual evidence
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03
Data & Statistics
- Shootout scores: City 4-3 Brighton, Liverpool 6-5 Chelsea, Fleetwood 5-3 Arsenal.
- Goal scorers in regulation: City – Mateo Kovacic, Vitor Reis; Brighton – Malick Yalcouyé, Georginio Rutter; Liverpool – Morgan Rogers, Cody Gakpo; Chelsea – Morgan Rogers (penalty), Cody Gakpo (penalty); Arsenal – Aaron Loupalo-Bi, Viktor Gyökeres.
- Saves in shootouts: Rulli (2 for City), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Chelsea), Jay Lynch (Fleetwood).
04
Official Statements & Responses
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called the defeat “a really sad day for us.” Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor said the victory gave the town “something priceless.” Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola praised his squad’s composure, while Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca noted penalties are an “always-happening” part of the competition.
05
On-the-Ground Reports
Local fans celebrated the Fleetwood win as a community triumph. The atmosphere in the King’s Arms was described as “crazy” and “incredible,” with supporters staying until the early hours. Residents expressed pride in the town’s “Cod Army” nickname and the unexpected victory over the Premier League champions.
06
Verbatim Quotes
- “A really sad day for us,” — Mikel Arteta, manager
- “It’s back to reality, back to being a League Two team, that’s our normal,” — Zsofia Wright, ticket office manager
07
What’s Next
The quarter-final draw, held later on October 28, 2026, paired Manchester City with Bradford City and Liverpool with Bournemouth. Upcoming fixtures include Chelsea vs Manchester United on October 31, 2026 and Liverpool vs Arsenal in the Premier League on November 1, 2026. The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are scheduled for later this month, with the final set for March 21.