Editing EFL Cup (section)

==History==
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:left; margin-top:15px; font-size:85%"
|+ Winners
|-
! Year
!style="width:210px"| Winner
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1961 Football League Cup final|1961]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1962 Football League Cup final|1962]]
|[[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1963 Football League Cup final|1963]]
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1964 Football League Cup final|1964]]
|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1965 Football League Cup final|1965]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1966 Football League Cup final|1966]]
|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1967 Football League Cup final|1967]]
|[[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1968 Football League Cup final|1968]]
|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1969 Football League Cup final|1969]]
|[[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1970 Football League Cup final|1970]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1971 Football League Cup final|1971]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1972 Football League Cup final|1972]]
|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1973 Football League Cup final|1973]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1974 Football League Cup final|1974]]
|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1975 Football League Cup final|1975]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1976 Football League Cup final|1976]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1977 Football League Cup final|1977]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1978 Football League Cup final|1978]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1979 Football League Cup final|1979]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1980 Football League Cup final|1980]]
|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1981 Football League Cup final|1981]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1982 Football League Cup final|1982]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1983 Football League Cup final|1983]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1984 Football League Cup final|1984]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1985 Football League Cup final|1985]]
|[[Norwich F.C.|Norwich City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1986 Football League Cup final|1986]]
|[[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1987 Football League Cup final|1987]]
|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1988 Football League Cup final|1988]]
|[[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1989 Football League Cup final|1989]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1990 Football League Cup final|1990]]
|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1991 Football League Cup final|1991]]
|[[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1992 Football League Cup final|1992]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1993 Football League Cup final|1993]]
|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1994 Football League Cup final|1994]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1995 Football League Cup final|1995]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1996 Football League Cup final|1996]]
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1997 Football League Cup final|1997]]
|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1998 Football League Cup final|1998]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[1999 Football League Cup final|1999]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2000 Football League Cup final|2000]]
|[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2001 Football League Cup final|2001]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(6)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2002 Football League Cup final|2002]]
|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2003 Football League Cup final|2003]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(7)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2004 Football League Cup final|2004]]
|[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2005 Football League Cup final|2005]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2006 Football League Cup final|2006]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2007 Football League Cup final|2007]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2008 Football League Cup final|2008]]
|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2009 Football League Cup final|2009]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2010 Football League Cup final|2010]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2011 Football League Cup final|2011]]
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2012 Football League Cup final|2012]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(8)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2013 Football League Cup final|2013]]
|[[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] (1)
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2014 Football League Cup final|2014]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2015 Football League Cup final|2015]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2016 Football League Cup final|2016]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2017 EFL Cup final|2017]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2018 EFL Cup final|2018]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2019 EFL Cup final|2019]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(6)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2020 EFL Cup final|2020]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(7)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2021 EFL Cup final|2021]]
|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]&nbsp;{{small|(8)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2022 EFL Cup final|2022]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(9)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2023 EFL Cup final|2023]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]&nbsp;{{small|(6)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2024 EFL Cup final|2024]]
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(10)}}
|-
|style="text-align:center"| [[2025 EFL Cup final|2025]]
|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] (1)
|}
The original idea for a League Cup came from [[Stanley Rous]], who saw the competition as a consolation for clubs who had already been knocked out of the FA Cup. However, it was not Rous who came to implement it, but Football League Secretary [[Alan Hardaker]]. Hardaker initially proposed the competition as a way for the clubs to make up for lost revenue due to a reduction in matches played, for when the league was to be reorganised. The reorganisation of the league was not immediately forthcoming; however, the cup competition was introduced regardless.

[[File:MilkCup.png|thumb|upright|Trophy of the competition when it was called "Milk Cup"]]

The trophy was paid for personally by Football League President Joe Richards, who was proud of the competition, and he had his own name engraved on it. Richards described the competition's formation as an "interim step" on the way to the league's re-organisation.<ref name="inglis-215">{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=215}}</ref> Richards' priority was the reorganisation of the leagues, "perhaps by cutting down the number of clubs in each division, as has already been suggested, and even given more consideration to the system of four up and four down".

Hardaker felt that the Football League needed to adapt to the times, as the English game was losing prestige. He felt that the Football League should take the lead in revitalising football in the nation: "It must be obvious to all of you that the time has come to do something, and it is up to the Football League to give the lead. I hope the Press will not immediately assume that the League is going to fall out with the F.A. or anybody else... the time has come for our voice to be heard in every problem which affects the professional game."<ref name="inglis-215"/>

The League Cup competition was established at a time when match-day attendances were dwindling. The league had lost a million spectators compared to the previous season. It was established at a time when tensions between the [[Football League]] and [[The Football Association]] were high. The biggest disagreement was about how revenue was shared between the clubs.

During the late 1950s, the majority of senior English clubs equipped their grounds with [[Floodlights (sport)|floodlight]]s. This opened up the opportunity to exploit weekday evenings throughout the winter. The League Cup was introduced in the [[1960–61 in English football|1960–61 season]] specifically as a mid-week floodlit tournament to replace the [[Southern Professional Floodlit Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Southern Professional Floodlit Cup 1955–1960 |url=http://footysphere.com/post/193658201/the-southern-professional-floodlit-cup |publisher=Footysphere |access-date=11 November 2012 |date=22 September 2009 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181050/http://footysphere.com/post/193658201/the-southern-professional-floodlit-cup |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:LeagueCupTankard.jpg|thumb|left|Rather than the traditional medal, each member of the League Cup-winning team used to receive a tankard. Today, winning players receive medals.]]

The League Cup was criticised by the better-endowed clubs. ''[[The Times]]''{{'}} correspondent at the time felt that the League Cup was a step in the wrong direction; the European Cup had been formed five years prior to the League Cup and the correspondent felt the League Cup's introduction was adding to existing problems. ''The Times'' published on 30 May 1960: "Where a drastic reduction is required in an attempt to raise quality, no doubt quantity and a further spread of mediocrity will be the dose. Where men like [[Santiago Bernabéu Yeste|Count Bernabeu]] with his wider horizons, think in terms of a [[UEFA Champions League|European League]] for the future in which a lead could surely now be given jointly by our leaders, the Football League propose next season to implement their useless Football League Cup to be played in midweek. It gets the players, the clubs and the public nowhere."<ref>{{cite web|title=Nothing new in League Cup: Football innovation gets us nowhere|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1960-05-30-04-004&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1960-05-30-04|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=26 October 2013|date=30 May 1960}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] were the inaugural winners in [[1960–61 Football League Cup|1960–61]], defeating [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] 3–2 in the final over two legs. Football in England was considered to be of a low quality, compared to what was being played on the continent, as relatively unfashionable clubs Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers were England's representatives in Europe that year, having lifted the major honours ahead of much bigger clubs like [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. Richards referred to the appetite for European football as 'continental fever'. He was keen for the league to re-establish itself: 'We must be prepared to put the interests of the League and the game before individual clubs.'<ref name="inglis-216">{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=216 }}</ref> Sixteen clubs opposed the competition's creation, thirty-one approved it.<ref name="inglis-216"/> The average attendance across the League Cup was 10,556, just higher than the average gate in the Third Division.<ref>{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=228 }}</ref> The total attendance of the [[Football League]] competition had fallen by 4&nbsp;million from the previous season. Richards is reputed to have told Hardaker that he foresaw 'the League Cup final being held at Wembley, but that it wouldn't be during his lifetime'. The first League Cup final to be held at Wembley was Third Division [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]' win over First Division [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on 4 March 1967. Richards died in 1968.

The first League Cup was won in [[1960–61 Football League Cup|1960–61]] by [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] who, at the time, held the overall record for major trophies won in England. The next three finals, however, saw the trophy won by clubs who had never won a major trophy before. One of them, [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], had yet to even play in the First Division, while their opponents [[Rochdale F.C.|Rochdale]] had played no higher than the Third Division.<ref name="inglis-205">{{cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=Football League and the men who made it |year=1988 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0002182423 |page=205 }}</ref>

The introduction of the League Cup gave the Football League more negotiating power with the FA and UEFA. Hardaker threatened UEFA with a boycott of the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]], unless UEFA gave the League Cup winner European qualification. As a result of the negotiating tactics, UEFA provided the League Cup winner with a place in the European competitions, providing the team was in the first division. Tottenham Hotspur were the first team to qualify for Europe by virtue of winning the competition. Although Leeds United had won the competition before Tottenham, Leeds qualified for Europe based on league position. The winners of the [[1966–67 Football League Cup|1966–67]] and [[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69 editions]], [[Queen's Park Rangers F.C.|Queen's Park Rangers]] and [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] did not participate in Europe, as they were not in the First Division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Club History |url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2017/apr-2017/club-history2/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=swindontownfc.co.uk|archive-date=22 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522174554/http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/club/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Prior to the agreement with UEFA, the competition was not considered worthy of the larger clubs' attention. However, once a position in Europe was on offer, as was a final at [[Wembley Stadium]], the competition's standing was improved and in the [[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69 season]] only Manchester United declined to participate.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=League football and the men who made it |publisher=Harper Collins |year=1988 |isbn=978-0002182423 |location=London |pages=242}}</ref> Everton chose not to compete in [[1970–71 Football League Cup|1970–71]] so that they could concentrate their efforts on the European Cup. Entry was made compulsory for all Football League teams the following year.

[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] have won the cup on the most occasions with ten victories, and both they and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] have won four League Cups in successive years. Liverpool completed two [[Treble (association football)|trebles]] of trophy wins, in [[1983–84 Football League Cup|1983–84]] and [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]], winning the League Cup in both of these years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://talksport.com/football/157364/flashback-liverpool-win-treble-15-years-man-united-14053093661/|title=Flashback: Liverpool win treble 15 years before Man United|work=talkSport|date=30 May 2014|access-date=13 February 2023|last=Mannion|first=Danny|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213154254/https://talksport.com/football/157364/flashback-liverpool-win-treble-15-years-man-united-14053093661/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/liverpools-2001-team-better-than-istanbul-squad-hamann/up1iups2tig215qjxox0ahnw1|title=Liverpool's 2001 team was better than the miracle of Istanbul squad – Hamann|work=Goal|date=12 April 2020|access-date=13 February 2023|last=Smith|first=Emma|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213154257/https://www.goal.com/en/news/liverpools-2001-team-better-than-istanbul-squad-hamann/up1iups2tig215qjxox0ahnw1|url-status=live}}</ref>

English clubs lost their place in European competitions for an indefinite period in 1985 as a result of the [[Heysel disaster]], where [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] fans had taken part in a riot at the [[European Cup]] final, resulting in the death of 39 spectators. That year's winners of the League Cup were [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], who would otherwise have played in a European competition for the first time in the [[1985–86 in English football|1985–86 season]]. [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] and [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] also missed out on the chance to compete in the [[UEFA Cup]] as League Cup holders over the next four years. Even when the ban was lifted in 1990, League Cup winners did not participate in European competitions for two more years, when [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] won the trophy and qualified for the UEFA Cup anyway, as they had finished second in the league. In the previous two seasons, Nottingham Forest and [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] had both been prevented from competing in the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners, due to the gradual reintegration of English clubs in European competitions.

In [[2016–17 EFL Cup|2016–17]], the competition was renamed the EFL Cup as part of the Football League's rebranding to become the [[English Football League]].

===Modern changes===
In the early 21st century, following restructuring of European football, particularly of its international club competitions, the [[UEFA Champions League]], [[UEFA Europa League]] and the [[UEFA Conference League]], there were considerations of removing the prize of European qualification from the League Cup's winners. England and France are the only UEFA members to offer a European berth to the winners of their second cup competitions until 2020, when [[Coupe de la Ligue]] was suspended indefinitely, meaning England is the only UEFA member to do so.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49747220|title=French League Cup suspended from 2020|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=9 September 2021|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224061100/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49747220|url-status=live}}</ref> This has allowed the League Cup to retain popularity, especially with fans of clubs for whom success in cup competitions offers their only realistic chance of qualifying for Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/european-qualification-explained|title=European qualification for UEFA competitions explained|publisher=Premier League|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525124517/https://www.premierleague.com/european-qualification-explained|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/|title=The Competition – EFL|website=efl.com|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107185549/https://www.efl.com/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Giant-killings===
Giant-killings are less well remembered in the League Cup than in the [[FA Cup]] due to the absence of non-league sides and the fact that big clubs often field more inexperienced sides in the early rounds. However, there have been some notable upsets, the final of [[1966–67 Football League Cup|1966–67]] saw Division Three side [[Queens Park Rangers]] come from 2–0 down at half time to win 3–2 against top-flight [[West Bromwich Albion]] in the first League Cup Final to be hosted at Wembley Stadium. Two years later in [[1968–69 Football League Cup|1968–69]], Third Division side [[Swindon Town]] beat [[Arsenal FC|Arsenal]] 3–1 after extra time in the final to win the trophy. In [[1974–75 Football League Cup|1974–75]], [[Football League Division Four|Fourth Division]] side [[Chester City F.C.|Chester]] beating defending league champions [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] 3–0 on their surprise run to the semi-finals.

Former League club and now defunct [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] defeated [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] 4–3 on aggregate in October 1989, while a Fourth Division club. In [[1992–93 Football League Cup|1992–93]], [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] then defeated [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] (then a top-tier side) 3–2 on aggregate, before ultimately going out of the competition, narrowly, 1–0, against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].

In [[1995–96 Football League Cup|1995–96]], [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] were beaten 3–0 at home by [[York City F.C.|York City]] in the second round, first leg; United could only win 3–1 in the second leg and went out 4–3 on aggregate (York went on to repeat the achievement against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] the following year). United went on to win the [[FA Premier League]] and [[FA Cup]] double and did not lose another home game that season, while York narrowly avoided relegation to Division Three (fourth tier).

[[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] recorded a number of upsets over a nine-year stretch; whilst playing in the [[EFL League One|third tier]] in 1997–98 they defeated [[Premier League]] side [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] 4–3 on aggregate over both legs before knocking out fellow Premier League side (and League Cup holders) [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] 3–1. In 2001–02, they beat current holders [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]] with a 2–1 win in extra time. Four years later, they recorded another giant killing by defeating [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] 1–0 at home, by this time Grimsby were playing in the fourth tier.

Manchester United have also been knocked out by [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] and [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] in [[2006–07 Football League Cup|2006–07]] and [[2007–08 Football League Cup|2007–08]] respectively: in the match against Southend they fielded a strong side with 10 internationals, bucking a trend they had themselves started during the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Southend 1–0 Man Utd|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6116346.stm|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 November 2006|archive-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921151223/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6116346.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2014–15 season, [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] fielded five international players but lost 4–0 in the second round (in which they entered the tournament) against third-tier side [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|MK Dons]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Manchester United loss to MK Dons: press, fan, coach and player reaction|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/manchester-united-loss-to-mk-dons-press-fan-coach-and-player-reaction/story-fndkzvnd-1227038631108|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=News.com.au|date=27 August 2014|archive-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827161712/http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/manchester-united-loss-to-mk-dons-press-fan-coach-and-player-reaction/story-fndkzvnd-1227038631108|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] were humbled again by [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]], one of the lowest placed teams in League Two.  In the 2012–13 competition, League Two (fourth tier) side [[Bradford City F.C.|Bradford City]] eliminated three Premier League sides from the competition, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so since Rochdale in [[1961–62 Football League Cup|1961–62]]. However, their luck finally ran out in the final, where they were beaten by [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]. In their centenary year, Swansea became the first team from outside England to win the League Cup on 24 February 2013, when they beat Bradford City 5–0 to win their first major English trophy.

In the [[2022–23 EFL Cup|2022–23]] competition, [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] (then ranked 22nd in League Two) eliminated [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] (then ranked 11th in the Premier League) in the third round on penalties; the teams were 79 places apart in the [[English football league system]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/premier-league-giant-killers-revel-in-remarkable-win-5914566-Nov2022/|title='We had to walk here' – Premier League giant killers revel in remarkable win|website=The42|date=9 November 2022 |access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109220923/https://www.the42.ie/premier-league-giant-killers-revel-in-remarkable-win-5914566-Nov2022/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportgister.com.ng/giant-killers-gillingham-knock-out-brentford-from-carabao-cup/|title=Giant Killers: Gillingham knock out Brentford from Carabao Cup|first=Sedara|last=Oluwadara|date=9 November 2022|access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109220930/https://sportgister.com.ng/giant-killers-gillingham-knock-out-brentford-from-carabao-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref>