Why The Carabao Cup Is Much Better Than The FA Cup

Author:
Robert Summerscales
Publish date:
Dec 19, 2023 11:15 PM EST

Growing up as a Tottenham fan, the League Cup (EFL Cup) was my favorite club competition by far.

It was the only thing Spurs had a semi-realistic chance of winning - as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United often used to play their reserve teams.

Indeed, Spurs did win it in February 2008, a month after thrashing a youthful Gunners side 6-2 in the semi-finals.

But this rare success is not the only reason I loved the EFL Cup.

I still love it today and believe it has gotten even better in recent years, although the quality of beverage sponsoring the competition certainly has not - in 40 years we've gone from milk, to Coca-Cola, to Worthington's, to Carling and now Carabao.

Sure, the FA Cup holds much more gravitas and delivers significantly more prize money - £2 million for the winners, compared to just £100,000 for winning the EFL Cup.

But I can name five reasons why the Carabao Cup is a far better product than the FA Cup.

1. Straight To Penalties

No replays. Not even extra time until the semi-finals. EFL Cup games go straight to spot-kicks if there is no winner after 90 minutes.

Not only does this create more drama - there is no such thing as a boring penalty shootout - but shorter games also make shock results more possible.

Fulham's Tom Cairney pictured narrowly beating Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup in December 2023 — Since the 2018/19 season, EFL Cup games have gone straight to penalties if level after 90 minutes
IMAGO/News Images/Mark Cosgrove

2. Under The Lights

All EFL Cup games, excluding the final, are played at night.

It is no secret that evening games tend to produce better atmospheres.

3. Draw Made Straight Away

Cup draws are a big event but, like with any event, timing is key.

The EFL Cup holds its draws immediately after the last game of each round, while FA Cup draws often take place days later.

Some of my best memories as a football fan involve excitedly rushing back to the car after a cup win to catch the draw on the radio.

Darren Moore (left) and Izzy Christiansen pictured making the draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium in August 2023 — EFL Cup draws are made promptly at the end of each round
Sky Sports

4. No Wembley Semis

The FA Cup sold its soul to Wembley long ago. Having semi-finals at the national stadium makes the final itself far less special.

While two-legged semis in the EFL Cup might not be ideal, this at least guarantees each club one big night in front of a packed home crowd.

This is far better than playing a one-off game in front of 20,000 empty seats at Wembley.

5. No VAR

The was a VAR in operation at every FA Cup game played at a Premier League stadium last season.

But the EFL Cup is completely VAR-free until the semi-finals.

This means that fans of Premier League clubs can truly live in the moment for 90 minutes during an EFL Cup tie. No holding back incase the striker's toenail might have been offside.