The EFL Cup is a knockout cup competition in English football organised by and named after the English Football League (EFL).[1] The competition was established in 1960 and is considered to be the second-most important domestic cup competition for English football clubs, after the FA Cup.[2] The competition is open to all 72 members of the English Football League and the 20 members of the Premier League. For the first six seasons of the competition, the final was contested over two legs, one at each participating club's stadium. The first Football League Cup was won by Aston Villa, who beat Rotherham United 3–2 on aggregate, after losing the first leg 2–0. The competition's first single-legged final was held in 1967: Queens Park Rangers defeated West Bromwich Albion 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in London.[1]
As of 2024, 23 clubs have won the EFL Cup. Liverpool hold the record for the most EFL Cup titles, with ten victories in the competition. Liverpool's wins include four consecutive titles from 1981 to 1984, while Manchester City's, who have won eight times, include four consecutive titles from 2018 to 2021. Nottingham Forest and Manchester United are the only other clubs to have won consecutive titles. Forest won two consecutive titles twice – in 1978 and 1979, and 1989 and 1990, while United won consecutive editions in 2009 and 2010. Arsenal have been runners-up more than any other club; they have lost the final six times. The current holders are Liverpool, who beat Chelsea 1–0 after extra time in the 2024 final to win their tenth League Cup.
- ^ a b "The History of the League Cup". Football League Cup. Coors Brewing Company. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
- ^ Ronay, Barney (23 January 2008). "Why Everton or Spurs must win the Carling Cup". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 January 2009.