The League Cup has a rich history of upsets where EFL clubs have humbled elite opposition, from the early rounds, all the way through to the final.
After last night’s giant-killing at Blundell Park, here is a definitive countdown of the competition’s greatest giant-killings involving teams from the EFL.
10) Coventry City 2–0 Manchester United, Third Round, 26 September 2007
Coventry went to Old Trafford and produced a composed, clinical display that stunned a near full house. Michael Mifsud scored twice to eliminate the Premier League champions, and the Sky Blues controlled key moments with discipline and speed in transition. It remains one of the standout Old Trafford upsets of the modern era.
9) Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Arsenal, Fourth Round, 27 October 2015
Hillsborough witnessed a relentless, front-foot Wednesday performance as the Championship side outplayed Arsenal. Goals from Ross Wallace, Lucas João and Sam Hutchinson capped a night where the Owls mixed intensity with quality and deservedly booked a quarter-final place at the expense of a shell-shocked top-flight side.
8) Bristol City 2–1 Manchester United, Quarter-final, 20 December 2017
Under the lights at a packed Ashton Gate, Bristol City matched United for ambition then won it at the death. Joe Bryan’s thunderbolt set the tone and Korey Smith’s stoppage-time strike unleashed a pitch-wide celebration, sending the holders out and the Robins into a semi-final with Manchester City.
7) York City 3–0 Manchester United, Second Round first leg, 20 September 1995
Third-tier York stunned United at Old Trafford with a ferocious opening hour, inspired by Paul Barnes. The Minstermen won the tie 4–3 on aggregate, but it was the first-leg scoreline in Manchester that entered folklore and showcased how lower-league sides can rattle giants with bravery and belief.
6) Northampton Town 2–2 Liverpool, won 4–2 on pens, Third Round, 22 September 2010
League Two Northampton refused to be overawed at Anfield. After extra time the Cobblers held their nerve in the shootout, converting four penalties to knock out Roy Hodgson’s side and record one of the most famous nights in the club’s history.
5) MK Dons 4–0 Manchester United, Second Round, 26 August 2014
This was a demolition. Will Grigg and Benik Afobe both scored twice as a vibrant MK Dons side pressed high, created overloads and punished United repeatedly. It was not only an upset but a rout, and it underlined how organised EFL sides can dismantle bigger clubs on a good night.
4) Bradford City 1–1 Arsenal, won 3–2 on pens, Quarter-final, 11 December 2012
Bradford were in League Two yet out-fought and out-lasted Arsenal in a classic tie at Valley Parade. Garry Thompson’s opener set the stage before a dramatic shootout, where Phil Parkinson’s team showed remarkable composure to reach the last four on a run that ultimately took them all the way to Wembley.
3) Grimsby Town 2–2 Manchester United, won 12–11 on pens, Second Round, 27 August 2025
Last night, fourth-tier Grimsby raced into a two-goal lead and, even after United hauled themselves level late on, the Mariners showed iron resolve in a marathon shootout. The victory is historic for the club and piled scrutiny on United, making it one of the most jaw-dropping results the competition has seen.
2) Queens Park Rangers 3–2 West Bromwich Albion, Final, 4 March 1967
QPR were a Third Division side and trailed 2–0 at half time at Wembley. Roger Morgan, Rodney Marsh and Mark Lazarus turned the final on its head to deliver the club’s first major trophy and to set a benchmark for lower-league audacity on the grandest domestic stage.
1) Swindon Town 3–1 Arsenal, Final, 15 March 1969
Swindon, also from the Third Division, produced the defining League Cup giant-killing by beating Arsenal after extra time. Don Rogers’ brace sealed an immortal upset and ensured the image of a lower-tier team lifting silverware at Wembley would echo through English football history.
Leave a Reply