Frank Christian
The League Cup, originating in 1960, has solidified its place in English football as a key tournament filled with excitement and unpredictability.
Since it began in the 1960-61 season, the tournament has crowned 23 different winners, showcasing its competitive nature. Organized by the English Football League, all 92 clubs from England’s top four divisions compete for this coveted title.
Victors of the Carabao Cup gain entry to the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round. If the cup winner has already secured a Champions League or Europa League spot through their Premier League finish, the playoff berth goes to the 6th placed team of the Premier League (or the 7th if a top-six team wins the FA Cup).
Top Teams in Carabao Cup History
The following teams have clinched the Carabao Cup the most times:
Liverpool’s Achievements
- Trophy wins: 10
- Final appearances: 4
- Championship years: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2022, 2024
As the most successful club in Carabao Cup history, Liverpool has won the title on ten occasions, most recently in 2024, when they defeated Chelsea 1-0 after extra time. They also prevailed over Chelsea in a penalty shootout in the 2022 final.
One of their memorable victories was in the 2000-01 season, when a decisive penalty from Gary McAllister led them to a shootout win against Birmingham City, contributing to their famous treble that year.
Manchester City’s Success
- Trophy wins: 8
- Final appearances: 1
- Championship years: 1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Manchester City has risen to prominence in the Carabao Cup, securing the trophy eight times, including a remarkable four consecutive wins from 2017-21, solidifying their dominance in English football. They claimed their latest title in April 2021 against Tottenham Hotspur with a 1-0 victory.
Their streak ended in October 2021 when they were eliminated by West Ham United in a penalty shootout during the Round of 16.
Manchester United’s Triumphs
- Trophy wins: 6
- Final appearances: 4
- Championship years: 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2023
Manchester United lifted the Carabao Cup for the first time in six years in 2023 by defeating Newcastle United in the final. With six victories under their belt, they are tied with Liverpool for the most appearances in the final, each having reached it at least ten times.
Sir Alex Ferguson led them to three titles in five years, and more recently, managers José Mourinho and Erik ten Hag have also tasted success in this competition.
Aston Villa’s Contributions
- Trophy wins: 5
- Final appearances: 4
- Championship years: 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996
Aston Villa ranks high among the most successful teams, having won the cup five times, with their last victory occurring in 1996 against Leeds United. Though they have struggled in recent tournaments, the club reached the finals in both 2010 and 2020, unfortunately finishing as runners-up in both.
Complete List of Carabao Cup Winners (1961-2024)
The Carabao Cup has allowed both powerhouse clubs and underdogs a chance at glory. Notable victories by teams like Swansea City and Middlesbrough demonstrate that clubs from any division have the potential to achieve success.
Despite the growing disparity in resources within English football, the unpredictable nature of knockout matches often leads to surprising outcomes. Below is the full list of winners from 1961 to 2024:
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Liverpool | Chelsea | 1-0 (AET) |
| 2023 | Manchester United | Newcastle | 2-0 |
| 2022 | Liverpool | Chelsea | 0-0 (PKs) |
| 2021 | Manchester City | Tottenham | 1-0 |
| 2020 | Manchester City | Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| 2019 | Manchester City | Arsenal | 0-0 (PKs) |
| 2018 | Manchester City | Arsenal | 3-0 |
| 2017 | Manchester United | Southampton | 3-2 |
| 2016 | Manchester City | Liverpool | 1-1 (PKs) |
| 2015 | Chelsea | Tottenham | 2-0 |
| 2014 | Manchester City | Sunderland | 3-1 |
| 2013 | Swansea | Bradford City | 5-0 |
| 2012 | Liverpool | Cardiff City | 2-2 (PKs) |
| 2011 | Birmingham City | Arsenal | 2-1 |
| 2010 | Manchester United | Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| 2009 | Manchester United | Aston Villa | 0-0 (PKs) |
| 2008 | Tottenham | Chelsea | 2-1 |
| 2007 | Chelsea | Arsenal | 2-1 |
| 2006 | Manchester United | Wigan | 4-0 |
| 2005 | Chelsea | Liverpool | 3-2 |
| 2004 | Middlesbrough | Bolton | 2-1 |
| 2003 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 2-1 |
| 2002 | Manchester City | Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| 2001 | Liverpool | Birmingham City | 1-1 (PKs) |
| 2000 | Leicester | Tranmere | 2-1 |
| 1999 | Tottenham | Leicester | 1-0 |
| 1998 | Chelsea | Middlesbrough | 2-0 |
| 1997 | Leicester | Middlesbrough | 1-0 |
| 1996 | Aston Villa | Leeds United | 3-0 |
| 1995 | Liverpool | Bolton | 2-1 |
| 1994 | Aston Villa | Manchester United | 3-1 |
| 1993 | Arsenal | Sheffield Wednesday | 2-1 |
| 1992 | Manchester United | Nottingham Forest | 1-0 |
| 1991 | Sheffield Wednesday | Manchester United | 1-0 |
| 1990 | Nottingham Forest | Oldham | 1-0 |
| 1989 | Nottingham Forest | Luton Town | 3-1 |
| 1988 | Luton Town | Arsenal | 3-2 |
| 1987 | Arsenal | Liverpool | 2-1 |
| 1986 | Oxford United | QPR | 3-0 |
| 1985 | Norwich City | Sunderland | 1-0 |
| 1984 | Liverpool | Everton | 1-0 |
| 1983 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 2-1 |
| 1982 | Liverpool | Tottenham Hotspur | 3-1 |
| 1981 | Liverpool | West Ham | 2-1 |
| 1980 | Wolverhampton | Nottingham Forest | 1-0 |
| 1979 | Nottingham Forest | Southampton | 3-2 |
| 1978 | Nottingham Forest | Liverpool | 1-0 |
| 1977 | Aston Villa | Everton | 3-2 |
| 1976 | Manchester City | Newcastle | 2-1 |
| 1975 | Aston Villa | Norwich City | 1-0 |
| 1974 | Wolverhampton | Manchester City | 2-1 |
| 1973 | Tottenham Hotspur | Norwich City | 1-0 |
| 1972 | Stoke City | Chelsea | 2-1 |
| 1971 | Tottenham Hotspur | Aston Villa | 2-0 |
| 1970 | Manchester City | West Bromwich Albion | 2-1 |
| 1969 | Swindon Town | Arsenal | 3-1 |
| 1968 | Leeds United | Arsenal | 1-0 |
| 1967 | Queens Park Rangers | West Bromwich Albion | 3-2 |
| 1966 | West Bromwich Albion | West Ham | 5-3 agg. |
| 1965 | Chelsea | Leicester City | 3-2 agg. |
| 1964 | Leicester City | Stoke City | 4-3 agg. |
| 1963 | Birmingham City | Aston Villa | 3-1 agg. |
| 1962 | Norwich City | Rochdale | 4-0 agg. |
| 1961 | Aston Villa | Rotherham United | 3-2 agg. |
