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Max Dowman stole the spotlight for Arsenal, scoring twice on his first appearance of the season as the Gunners defeated Ipswich Town 4-2 and extended their winning run to seven matches in all competitions.
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Dominik Szoboszlai produced one of the night’s standout moments, smashing home from distance as Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1, adding to the pressure surrounding Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.
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Fulham and Brentford survived difficult tests, with the Cottagers edging West Ham 3-2 and Brentford beating Reading 2-1, while Barnsley eventually overcame Peterborough 7-6 on penalties after a six-goal thriller.
September 15, (THEWILL) – Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round action delivered almost every ingredient the competition is known for. There was a teenage breakthrough at Portman Road, a spectacular strike at Anfield, an emotional tribute at the London Stadium and a penalty shootout that refused to end.
Five matches, five different stories and plenty for the clubs involved to take into the next round. Here are the biggest talking points from the night.
1. Max Dowman announces himself for Arsenal
Ipswich Town 2-4 Arsenal
Arsenal’s latest teenage sensation Max Dowman made his first appearance of the season one to remember, scoring twice as Mikel Arteta’s side overcame Ipswich Town 4-2.
The 16-year-old needed only seven minutes to open his account, immediately rewarding Arteta for handing him an opportunity in the Carabao Cup. Dowman then struck again shortly after the hour mark to restore Arsenal’s control after the hosts had threatened to make the contest uncomfortable.
Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino were also on target for Arsenal as the visitors established a commanding advantage. Ipswich responded through Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom, but their late rally came too late to prevent the Premier League side from progressing.
The victory extended Arsenal’s winning run to seven matches in all competitions and provided another positive sign for Arteta’s squad. The manager had indicated before the match that Dowman would receive his opportunity if he continued to impress in training, and the youngster took that opportunity emphatically.
For Arsenal, the result also keeps alive their hopes of going one step further in a competition that ended in disappointment last season after their final defeat.
2. Szoboszlai screamer helps Liverpool see off Tottenham
Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham at Anfield, but the biggest talking point was Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular strike.
Alexis Mac Allister gave Liverpool the lead before Cody Gakpo doubled the advantage after the break. Tottenham refused to go quietly, with Conor Gallagher pulling one back and giving the visitors renewed hope of forcing a late comeback.
Szoboszlai had other ideas.
The Hungary international produced a stunning long-range finish to restore Liverpool’s two-goal cushion and effectively settle the tie. It was the kind of individual moment that changed the mood inside Anfield and ensured Liverpool avoided a nervous finish.
Tottenham had opportunities earlier in the game, with Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Bergvall unable to capitalise, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made an important late save to deny Omar Marmoush.
For Roberto De Zerbi, however, the defeat adds to the scrutiny surrounding Tottenham’s start to the campaign. Despite spending more than £300 million during the summer, Spurs remain without a victory against fellow Premier League opposition.
Liverpool, meanwhile, move into the fourth round and can now turn their attention back to Premier League matters.
3. Fulham spoil West Ham’s emotional night
West Ham United 2-3 Fulham
Fulham left the London Stadium with a 3-2 victory, but the night began with West Ham paying tribute to one of the club’s most respected former goalkeepers.
A period of appreciation was held for Ludek Miklosko, who died on Monday following a battle with cancer. Tributes were displayed at the stadium before the teams turned their attention to the third-round contest.
Fulham struck first when Rodrigo Muniz headed the visitors in front. West Ham responded before the interval, with Pablo scoring his first goal for the club to make it 1-1 at half-time.
The decisive moment arrived in the second half when substitute Oscar Bobb came off the bench and restored Fulham’s lead in the 77th minute.
West Ham pushed hard for another equaliser and appeared to have a late chance to force the issue, but Timothy Castagne produced a crucial clearance off the line to preserve Fulham’s advantage.
The result gives Alvaro Arbeloa his second victory as Fulham manager and sends the Cottagers into the fourth round after a difficult opening period domestically.
4. Fabio Carvalho makes his return count
Reading 1-2 Brentford
Brentford were given a serious test by League One side Reading before eventually securing a 2-1 victory.
Reading entered the contest with enough attacking form to believe they could cause an upset, and their performance ensured Brentford could not simply rely on their Premier League status to carry them through.
Fabio Carvalho eventually provided the crucial moment for the visitors, scoring to help Brentford survive the challenge and book their place in the next round.
For Carvalho, the goal was particularly significant as he marked his return with an important contribution. It gave him another opportunity to remind Keith Andrews of what he can offer as Brentford manage their squad across multiple competitions.
The Bees can now put the cup behind them and prepare for their Premier League meeting with Chelsea, while Reading are left to reflect on a performance that pushed top-flight opposition much closer than the final score suggests.
5. Barnsley survive a penalty marathon
Peterborough United 3-3 Barnsley, Barnsley win 7-6 on penalties
The most dramatic finish of the night came at Peterborough, where Barnsley eventually emerged from an extraordinary penalty shootout after the two sides had shared six goals.
Peterborough and Barnsley could not be separated after 90 minutes, with the 3-3 scoreline sending the all-League One contest to penalties.
Even then, there was no immediate winner.
Both sides continued to convert from the spot as the shootout went beyond the initial ten kicks. Barnsley finally prevailed 7-6, securing their passage into the fourth round after a contest that had already produced six goals.
The victory could prove particularly valuable for Daniel Stendel’s side after a difficult spell of league form. Barnsley had entered the cup tie looking for a response following heavy defeats against Stevenage and Plymouth Argyle.
Peterborough, meanwhile, will have little time to dwell on the disappointment. Their performance was enough to take Barnsley to the limit, but the difference ultimately came down to the smallest margin possible.
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup action
The five matches offered a snapshot of why the Carabao Cup continues to produce storylines beyond the traditional glamour ties.
Arsenal discovered another reason to be excited about Dowman, while Liverpool relied on Szoboszlai’s individual quality to eliminate Tottenham. Fulham showed resilience to survive West Ham’s late pressure, and Brentford demonstrated the importance of navigating tricky away ties against lower-division opposition.
Then there was the spectacle at Peterborough, where Barnsley and Peterborough turned a League One meeting into one of the evening’s defining moments.
With the remaining third-round fixtures still to be completed, the five winners can now look ahead to the fourth-round draw and another step towards Wembley.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
