The League Cup, known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the first major trophy on offer each season in England.
Founded in 1960, the competition has become a cornerstone of the domestic football calendar, although some have called for Premier League teams to no longer participate due to the top-flight’s busy schedule.
That said, Premier League teams have understandably dominated the competition in recent seasons, particularly the ‘big six’. Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have combined to win 20 of the last 24 Carabao Cup finals.
The last one took place on 25 February 2024, when Chelsea faced Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in London. It was a repeat of the 2022 final, when the Reds won on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Who won the 2024 Carabao Cup final?
Liverpool won the 2024 Carabao Cup final, beating Chelsea 1-0 after extra time.
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk scored the winner when he headed in a Kostas Tsimikas corner in the 118th minute of the match at Wembley Stadium.
It is a record 10th League Cup triumph for the Anfield club and the eighth trophy they have won in all competitions since Jurgen Klopp took over as manager in October 2015.
These are the good days my friend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Bt6I5ZnY8V
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 25, 2024
All-time Carabao Cup winners (1961-2024)
The Carabao Cup has seen both top national teams and underdogs find success. As Swansea City and Middlesbrough’s famous victories in the 21st century show, there is always a chance for teams from any division to go all the way.
Football in England may be experiencing a growing disparity in resources between the top and bottom of the table. However, knockout matches always throw up surprises when you least expect them due to their unpredictable nature.
Here is the complete list of Carabao Cup winners from 1961 to 2024:
| Year | Winners | Finalists | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Liverpool | Chelsea | 1-0 (AET) |
| 2023 | Manchester United | Newcastle | 2-0 |
| 2022 | Liverpool | Chelsea | 0-0 (PK) |
| 2021 | Manchester City | Tottenham | 1-0 |
| 2020 | Manchester City | Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| 2019 | Manchester City | Arsenal | 0-0 (PK) |
| 2018 | Manchester City | Arsenal | 3-0 |
| 2017 | Manchester United | Southampton | 3-2 |
| 2016 | Manchester City | Liverpool | 1-1 (PK) |
| 2015 | Chelsea | Tottenham | 2-0 |
| 2014 | Manchester City | Sunderland | 3-1 |
| 2013 | Swansea | City of Bradford | 5-0 |
| 2012 | Liverpool | Cardiff City | 2-2 (PK) |
| 2011 | City of Birmingham | Arsenal | 2-1 |
| 2010 | Manchester United | Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| 2009 | Manchester United | Aston Villa | 0-0 (PK) |
| 2008 | Tottenham | Chelsea | 2-1 |
| 2007 | Chelsea | Arsenal | 2-1 |
| 2006 | Manchester United | Wigan | 4-0 |
| 2005 | Chelsea | Liverpool | 3-2 |
| 2004 | Middlesbrough | Bolt | 2-1 |
| 2003 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 2-1 |
| 2002 | Manchester City | Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| 2001 | Liverpool | City of Birmingham | 1-1 (PK) |
| 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 | Bolt | 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 | RQPR | 3-0 |
| 1985 | Norwich | Sunderland | 1-0 |
| 1984 | Liverpool | Everton | 1-0 |
| 1983 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 2-1 |
| 1982 | Liverpool | Tottenham | 3-1 |
| 1981 | Liverpool | West Ham | 2-1 |
| 1980 | The Wolves | 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 | 1-0 |
| 1974 | The Wolves | Manchester City | 2-1 |
| 1973 | Tottenham | Norwich | 1-0 |
| 1972 | Stoke City | Chelsea | 2-1 |
| 1971 | Tottenham | Aston Villa | 2-0 |
| 1970 | Manchester City | West Brom | 2-1 |
| 1969 | Swindon | Arsenal | 3-1 |
| 1968 | Leeds United | Arsenal | 1-0 |
| 1967 | RQPR | West Brom | 3-2 |
| 1966 | West Brom | West Ham | 5-3 on average. |
| 1965 | Chelsea | Leicester | 3-2 on average. |
| 1964 | Leicester | Feed | 4-3 on average. |
| 1963 | Birmingham | Aston Villa | 3-1 on average. |
| 1962 | Norwich | Rochdale | 4-0 on aggregate. |
| 1961 | Aston Villa | Rotherham | 3-2 on average. |
