The Carabao Cup 2026-27 draw details from the first round delivered exactly the kind of early-season edge this competition is known for, with Burnley, West Ham and Millwall all progressing. Burnley needed penalties to beat Notts County 4-3 after a 1-1 draw, while Millwall also went through on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw against QPR. West Ham, meanwhile, won more comfortably by beating Portsmouth 3-1.
It was a first round packed with decisive moments, and the live round-up had the feel of a night where almost every result carried a late twist. For the teams involved, it was less about style and more about getting through.
Burnley hold their nerve
The headline result belonged to Burnley, who beat Notts County 4-3 on penalties after the tie finished 1-1. Kyle Walker smashes the deciding spot-kick home, sealing a place in the next round and giving Burnley one of the key wins of the evening.
Penalty shootouts often strip the game down to temperament, and Burnley handled that pressure better when it mattered most. In a first round where several matches were settled from the spot, that composure can be as important as any tactical edge.
Millwall and West Ham also advance
Millwall joined them in progressing after a 2-0 penalty shootout win over QPR following a 1-1 draw. It was another reminder that early cup football can hinge on margins rather than dominance.
West Ham avoided that kind of drama by beating Portsmouth 3-1. That result made them one of the more straightforward winners from the round, even if the wider picture was defined by the number of ties that went all the way to penalties.
A first round full of penalties
The broader Carabao Cup first round produced a long list of results and a large number of shootouts, underlining how quickly the competition can become unpredictable. For West Ham, Burnley and Millwall, the important thing is simple: they are through.
As the round-up closed, John Brewin’s sign-off captured the mood with a final “Thanks for reading this Clockwatch!” and “Bang a gong!” The first round is done, and the draw details now point to the next stage of the competition.
