Eternal Surprises in the Carabao Cup: From Grimsby vs. Manchester United to Other Classic Stories

Muhe - Thursday, 28 August 2025 | 07:00 PM (WIB)

Eternal Surprises in the Carabao Cup: From Grimsby vs. Manchester United to Other Classic Stories

The Carabao Cup, or EFL Cup, is often a dramatic event in English football. In this competition, lower-tier clubs often play with ease, while bigger teams slip up due to rotation or underestimating their opponents. Over time, there have been many surprising results that have created classic stories. One such example is Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United, which recently reminded the public of the romanticism of "giant-killing" in football.

Grimsby Town Eliminates Manchester United

The encounter between League Two side Grimsby Town and Manchester United in the first round of the Carabao Cup became one of the most sensational stories in recent years. Playing with determination, the Mariners managed to eliminate the Red Devils despite being significantly behind in quality. This match not only shocked the Old Trafford crowd, but also brought a sense of deja vu, because MU had been the victim of surprises several times in this event, including when they were slaughtered 0-4 by MK Dons in 2014.

Northampton Town Defeats Liverpool at Anfield

Back in 2010, the Anfield crowd was shocked by Liverpool's defeat to Northampton Town. The League Two club forced the Reds to a penalty shootout, ultimately winning. This defeat is considered one of the most embarrassing moments in Liverpool's modern history, considering they still boasted a number of big names.

Bradford City Destroys Arsenal

The 2012/13 season presented another amazing story. Bradford City, then a League Two team, defeated a star-studded Arsenal side in a penalty shootout. Remarkably, Bradford went on to reach the final, ultimately losing to Swansea City. Their journey is considered one of the best "Cinderella Stories" in Carabao Cup history.

MK Dons Humiliate Manchester United

Besides Grimsby, Manchester United also experienced a dark night in this competition in 2014. Playing at MK Dons' home ground, Louis van Gaal's Red Devils were humiliated 4-0. The result enraged Manchester United fans, but also gave MK Dons the chance to be remembered as one of the small teams that once brought down a giant.Sheffield Wednesday Takes the Title from Manchester UnitedThe surprises didn't just come in the early stages. In the 1991 final, Sheffield Wednesday, then in the Second Division, narrowly defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley. John Sheridan's goal was the difference and immortalized Wednesday's name in tournament history.

Swindon Town vs Arsenal 1969

One of the classic moments occurred in the 1969 final when Swindon Town, a Third Division team, defeated Arsenal 3-1 at Wembley. This result is often cited as one of the most historic victories in English domestic cup competitions, and it also cemented the Carabao Cup's reputation as the "home of surprises."The Carabao Cup has demonstrated time and again that football is not just about squad quality or player prices. Courage, motivation, and a never-say-die spirit are often the deciding factors. From Swindon Town to Grimsby Town, from Northampton to MK Dons, each surprise story carries its own unique romance. And that's what keeps the Carabao Cup alive in the hearts of football fans: a tournament where the dreams of small teams can come true.