Fleetwood Town make history as Carabao Cup quarter-final draw confirms fixtures

The Carabao Cup quarter-final draw has taken centre stage, confirming the matchups for the last eight as the competition reaches its decisive phase. According to the Mirror ^[1], the draw was scheduled to follow the conclusion of the final fourth-round ties, with the proceedings beginning after the marquee clash between Liverpool and Chelsea kicked off. The Sun ^[2] reported that the draw commenced on the second day of round four fixtures, bringing an end to a campaign that saw thirteen Premier League clubs initially in contention.

In a stunning twist, League Two side Fleetwood Town have emerged as the tournament’s most captivating story. The Independent ^[4] noted that Fleetwood became the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition after dumping out Premier League champions Arsenal in a penalty shootout. This victory marked the first time a fourth-division club has reached the last eight since Colchester United in the 2019/20 season. Their fairytale run now sees them drawn against the winner of the Everton/Newcastle United tie, according to Metro ^[3].

Defending champions Manchester City will face Bradford City in the next round. Metro ^[3] confirmed that City advanced after a penalty shootout victory over Brighton, while Bradford secured their spot by defeating Peterborough. The Independent ^[4] highlighted that Bradford joins Fleetwood as the only lower-league teams remaining, creating a unique dynamic in the draw. Meanwhile, Liverpool will take on Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace faces Sunderland, as reported by Metro.

The atmosphere surrounding the draw was electric, with the Independent ^[4] describing the potential for more upsets given the mix of top-tier and lower-league sides. The Mirror ^[1] provided details on the timing, noting the draw was expected late on Wednesday evening following the Anfield encounter. The Sun ^[2] added that the draw determined the paths to the semi-finals, with the winners of these ties meeting in the next stage. As the tournament moves toward its climax, all eyes will be on whether Fleetwood can continue their improbable journey against elite opposition.