Tuesday night saw Fleetwood Town, of League Two, stun Premier League champions Arsenal as they dumped them out of the Carabao Cup.
The Cod Army sealed a quarter-final spot thanks to a 5-3 win on penalties after the tie had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. It must rank as one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history given the 84-place gap between the two sides.
Here, we look at a few more shocks from down the years:
Grimsby v Manchester United – 2025
A game that will live long in the memory – certainly for Mariners fans – after Grimsby bridged a three-division gap to seal a famous win over United.
Town were in dreamland, 2-0 up in the second round tie inside 30 minutes. United eventually rallied with two late goals forcing penalties but Grimsby edged an epic shoot-out 12-11 to seal a stunning win. The game will be remembered by many for beleaguered United boss Ruben Amorim’s tactics board faux pas in the dugout.
Bradford v Arsenal – 2012
Another forgettable cup night for the Gunners came in December 2012 when Bradford – then in League Two – dumped them out on penalties in the quarter-finals.
The Bantams were 1-0 up with two minutes of normal time remaining when Thomas Vermaelen popped up with a late equaliser. After extra-time couldn’t provide a winner, it meant spot-kicks. And Vermaelen went from hero to zero with his penalty miss securing an almighty upset at Arsenal’s expense. Bradford would go on to reach the final that year, albeit they were convincingly beaten 5-0 by Swansea in the showpiece.
MK Dons v Manchester United – 2014
Another humiliating night for the Red Devils saw them utterly outclassed by MK Dons back in 2014, in the second round of the League Cup.
A brace apiece for Will Grigg and Benik Afobe stunned Louis van Gaal’s side, which included big names such as Danny Welbeck, David De Gea and Jonny Evans.
Doncaster v Aston Villa – 2005
Third tier Doncaster sealed a convincing 3-0 win over top flight Villa on their way to making that year’s quarter-finals.
Dave Penney’s side had already disposed of Manchester City in round two and were too strong for a Villans side including the likes of James Milner, Gareth Barry and Milan Baros. Doncaster’s brave run eventually ended at the last-eight stage. After giving Arsenal an almighty scare, and twice leading, they ultimately lost out on penalties to the Gunners.
Northampton v Liverpool – 2010
Liverpool have won this competition more than any other team but 2010-11 was one to forget, as they suffered an ignominious early exit to League Two opposition.
Northampton were given little to no chance of winning at Anfield in a third round tie but they edged the game on penalties, having come close to a famous 2-1 win in extra-time. A late equaliser spared the Reds’ blushes but only momentarily as the Cobblers won the shoot-out 4-2.
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester United – 1991
An honourable mention for the Owls, whose final triumph over United back in 1991 remains the last time that a team from outside the top division won this competition. John Sheridan’s goal proved the difference as Wednesday, under former Red Devils chief Ron Atkinson, sealed a famous win that is still talked about to this day.
