The League Cup has always provided upsets and this season is no different. Who would have thought that Arsenal, a club desperate for trophies would miss the chance of getting to a semi-final at the hands of League Two’s Bradford City?
Over the years many have felt the shame of being knocked out by a ‘minnow’, but what’s worst ever upset?
Our list of Top Ten upsets in no particular order:
Bradford 1 Arsenal 1 (2012)
Arsenal were shocked by League Two side Bradford City in the quarter final of the cup.
Garry Thompson had put the home team 1-0 up and as they looked to be on their way to an emotional victory, Gooner’s skipper Thomas Vermaelen equalised with just minutes to play.
It was an awful night for Arsenal; they failed to get a shot on target in the whole of the first half.
Bradford did get their win in the end, they won 3-2 on penalties – It was their ninth consecutive penalty shootout win.
The irony was that Vermaelen; the man who had ensured there was a shootout was the man to miss the crucial penalty.
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Southend 1 Manchester United 0 (2006)
Holders Manchester United fielded a side with ten internationals including star players Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney against the then Championship side.
But, it was local lad Freddy Eastwood who stole the headlines with his 30-yard free kick.
In the next round they put up a brave fight against Tottenham, but went out 1-0 to a Jermain Defoe goal in the 115th minute.
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Liverpool 1 Grimsby 2 (aet) (2001)
This one was made even more significant as it was at Anfield and just months after Liverpool had won their FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble.
Gary McAllister had given ‘Pool the lead from the spot before Marlon Broomes equalised with a close range volley. Phil Jevons, a lifelong Liverpool fan scored the winner with a 30-yard screamer.
It condemned the Premier League side to their first cup defeat in a year and a half!
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Burnley 1 Chelsea 1 (2008) (Burnley won 5-4 on penalties)
Jon Obi Mikel has never been known for his goal scoring skills, and once again this was the case against Burnley when Brian Jensen saved his spot kick to give the Lancashire side a shootout victory.
Didier Drogba had put the Blues 1-0 up, but journeyman forward Ade Akinbiyi equalised.
This was the Premier League side’s fourth consecutive penalty loss.
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Liverpool 2 Northampton 2 (2010) (Northampton won 4-2 on penalties)
Roy Hodgson was never a popular choice at Anfield. This result early in his career didn’t help his cause.
Milan Jovanovic had given the top-flight side the lead, before Billy McKay equalised early in the second half.
Michael Jackobs had put the away team 2-1 up, only for David Ngog to take it into extra-time and then penalties.
Ngog and Nathan Eccleston missed their penalties to the give Northampton, a side who were 17th in League Two a memorable victory.
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Manchester United 0 York City 3 (1995)
A United side that featured certain three youngsters David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Phi Neville as well as experienced heads including Brian McClair and Gary Pallister were embarrassed by York City.
It was not to be United’s night. Paul Barnes’ double and a Tony Barras goal gave the Yorkshire club a memorable night.
It was a first-leg tie, and United played Eric Cantona in the return match. Whilst they won 3-1, the Red Devils went out on aggregate.
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Watford 2 Leeds United 1 (1992)
Months after winning the last ever Football League First Division title Leeds United travelled to Watford with Eric Cantona and the late Gary Speed in their team.
The ‘Orns went 1-0 up through a David Holdsworth header before Jason Drysdale scored a penalty past John Lukic.
Gary McAllister pulled one back for Howard Wilkinson’s team but it wasn’t their day or even their week – Where they had lost in the European Cup to Rangers and been hammered 4-0 against Manchester CIty.
Just over two weeks later the Yorkshire club sold their charismatic Frenchman, Eric Cantona to bitter rivals Manchester United.
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Brentford 1 Everton 1 (2010) (Brentford won 4-3 on penalties)
The League One side had a memorable night as they knocked out Premier League big guns Everton.
It started well when Seamus Coleman got the away side off to a good start with a sixth minute goal. Gary Alexander equalised for the home side with a powerful header.
Charlie MacDonald had the chance to win the game for the Bees but missed a penalty during normal time.
When it came to the shootout Jermaine Beckford and Phil Jagielka both missed, giving Brentford their special night.
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Swindon Town 3 Arsenal 1 (1969)
What an upset, once again it’s Arsenal! This time it was in the Final against Third Division side Swindon Town.
Don Rogers was the star man in front of 98,189 fans when he scored an extra-time brace to give the Robins a famous win.
Roger Smart had opened the scoring for the minnows before Booby Gould equalised in the 86th minute.
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Norwich 0 MK Dons 4 (2011)
Having been promoted to the Premier League, Norwich had made 11 changes from the previous game but his team should still have been able to progress.
Instead they were hammered 4-0 thanks to goals from Canaries’ old boy Luke Chadwick who got a double, a Sam Baldock goal and one from Daniel Powell.
It was a special night for MK Dons, and Paul Lambert’s worst defeat as Norwich boss.
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