Carabao Cup fourth round penalties rule explained

Carabao Cup Fourth-Round Matches Skip Extra Time, Go Directly to Penalties

Carabao Cup fourth-round fixtures head straight to a shoot-out if tied after 90 minutes, a rule introduced before the 2018/19 season.

By Briefzora Desk

Oct 28, 2026 · 2:36 AM 1 min read

Carabao Cup action continues tonight as several Premier League clubs remain in contention for English football's first trophy of the season.

Arsenal travel to League Two side Fleetwood for the opening match of the evening.

Some fourth-round fixtures appear too evenly matched to predict a winner within regulation time.

If a game finishes level, the immediate question is whether extra time will be played before a penalty shoot-out.

SunSport provides the details.

Carabao Cup fourth-round ties go straight to penalties after 90 minutes

When the score is tied after normal time, the tie proceeds directly to a penalty shoot-out.

Organisers removed extra time ahead of the 2018/19 season to lessen "additional fatigue issues" after a vote by English Football League clubs.

Extra time is now reserved solely for the second leg of the semi-finals, should the aggregate be level, and for the final itself.

Manchester City retained the Carabao Cup, defeating Arsenal 2-0 in the previous final.

Nico O'Reilly netted both goals within four minutes of the second half.

The victory gave Pep Guardiola the distinction of being the first manager to win the League Cup five times.

Guardiola left his role at the Etihad Stadium at the close of the season.

Questions and answers

No, they go straight to penalties if the score is level after 90 minutes.

Extra time is only played in the semi-final second leg (if aggregate scores are tied) and in the final.