The English Football League Cup is competed for by all 92 members of the Premier League and English Football League and is played over seven rounds.
Since 1996, any teams involved in European competition during the season enter the competition in the third round; with the other Premier League sides entering in the second round, and the Football League teams entering in the first round.
The League Cup Final was first played in 1961 in a game which saw Aston Villa win against Rotherham.
This is a complete list of every League Cup Final that has ever been played
Manchester City started the 2020’s as they finished the 2010’s.
In 2021 they won the competition for the 4th successive year bringing their total to 8 League Cup wins, level with Liverpool.
In 2020 they won the competition for the 3rd successive year bringing their total to 7 League Cup wins, just one behind record winners Liverpool.
| Year | Winners | Runner-Up | Result | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Liverpool | Chelsea | 0-0 11-10 on Pens | EFL Cup |
| 2021 | Manchester City | Tottenham Hotspur | 1-0 | Carabao Cup |
| 2020 | Manchester City | Aston Villa | 2-1 | Carabao Cup |
2010’s
The League Cup was dominated in the 2010’s by two big Manchester Clubs. City won 4 and United won 2
Six clubs shared the 10 League Cup Finals, the teams winning more than once are:
- Manchester City 4
- Manchester United 2
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Manchester City | Chelsea | 0-0 4-3 on Pens |
Carabao Cup |
| 2018 | Manchester City | Arsenal | 3-0 | Carabao Cup |
| 2017 | Manchester United | Southampton | 3-2 | English Football League Cup |
| 2016 | Manchester City | Liverpool | 1-1 3-1 on Pens |
Capital One Cup |
| 2015 | Chelsea | Tottenham Hotspur | 2-0 | Capital One Cup |
| 2014 | Manchester City | Sunderland | 3-1 | Capital One Cup |
| 2013 | Swansea City | Bradford City | 5-0 | Capital One Cup |
| 2012 | Liverpool | Cardiff City | 2-2 3-2 on Pens |
Carling Cup |
| 2011 | Birmingham City | Arsenal | 2-1 | Carling Cup |
| 2010 | Manchester United | Aston Villa | 2-1 | Carling Cup |
2000’s
The League Cup was not really dominated by any one team in the 2000’s, three clubs won the final twice.
Seven clubs shared the 10 League Cup Finals, the teams winning more than once were:
- Chelsea 2
- Liverpool 2
- Manchester United 2
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Manchester United | Totttenham Hotspur | 0-0 4-1 on Pens |
Carling Cup |
| 2008 | Totttenham Hotspur | Chelsea | 2-1 | Carling Cup |
| 2007 | Chelsea | Arsenal | 2-1 | Carling Cup |
| 2006 | Manchester United | Wigan Athletic | 4-0 | Carling Cup |
| 2005 | Chelsea | Liverpool | 3-2 | Carling Cup |
| 2004 | Middlesborough | Bolton Wanderers | 2-1 | Carling Cup |
| 2003 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 2-0 | Worthington Cup |
| 2002 | Blackburn Rovers | Totttenham Hotspur | 2-1 | Worthington Cup |
| 2001 | Liverpool | Birmingham City | 1-1 5-4 on Pens |
Worthington Cup |
| 2000 | Leicester City | Tranmere Rovers | 2-1 | Worthington Cup |
1990’s
Single-legged matches would be replayed as necessary until 1994, when penalties were introduced to settle the first replay; the last single-legged tie to require a replay was played in 1997.
The League Cup was not dominated by any one team in the 1990’s, only Aston Villa won the final twice.
Middlesborough reached the final in successive years but lost both matches.
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Totttenham Hotspur | Leicester City | 1-0 | Worthington Cup |
| 1998 | Chelsea | Middlesborough | 2-0 | Coca-Cola Cup |
| 1997 | Leicester City | Middlesborough | 1-0 1-1 |
Coca-Cola Cup |
| 1996 | Aston Villa | Leeds United | 3-0 | Coca-Cola Cup |
| 1995 | Liverpool | Bolton Wanderers | 2-1 | Coca-Cola Cup |
| 1994 | Aston Villa | Manchester United | 3-1 | Coca-Cola Cup |
| 1993 | Arsenal | Sheffield Wednesday | 2-1 | Coca-Cola Cup |
| 1992 | Manchester United | Nottingham Forest | 1-0 | Rumbelows Cup |
| 1991 | Sheffield Wednesday | Manchester United | 1-0 | Rumbelows Cup |
| 1990 | Nottingham Forest | Oldham | 1-0 | Littlewoods Challenge Cup |
1980’s
The League Cup was dominated in the 1980’s by Liverpool who won the competition four times and also finished runners-up, against Arsenal who won their first league Cup.
In 1980 Nottingham Forest were going for three wins in succession but finished on the losing side against Wolves. They would win again 9 years later against Luton Town
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Nottingham Forest | Luton Town | 3-1 | Littlewoods Challenge Cup |
| 1988 | Luton Town | Arsenal | 3-2 | Littlewoods Challenge Cup |
| 1987 | Arsenal | Liverpool | 2-1 | Littlewoods Challenge Cup |
| 1986 | Oxford United | Queens Park Rangers | 3-0 | Milk Cup |
| 1985 | Norwich City | Sunderland | 1-0 | Milk Cup |
| 1984 | Liverpool | Everton | 1-0 0-0 |
Milk Cup |
| 1983 | Liverpool | Manchester United | 2-1 | Milk Cup |
| 1982 | Liverpool | Tottenham Hotspur | 3-1 | Milk Cup |
| 1981 | Liverpool | West Ham United | 2-1 1-1 |
Milk Cup |
| 1980 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Nottingham Forest | 1-0 | Football League Cup |
1970’s
The League Cup was not dominated by any one team in the 1970’s, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur all won the competition twice
Aston Villa’s victory against Everton in 1977 needed two replays, they won 3-2 at the third time of asking, drawing the previous games 0-0 and 1-1.
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Nottingham Forest | Southampton | 3-2 | Football League Cup |
| 1978 | Nottingham Forest | Liverpool | 1-0 0-0 |
Football League Cup |
| 1977 | Aston Villa | Everton | 3-2 1-1 0-0 |
Football League Cup |
| 1976 | Manchester City | Newcastle United | 2-1 | Football League Cup |
| 1975 | Aston Villa | Norwich City | 1-0 | Football League Cup |
| 1974 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Manchester City | 2-1 | Football League Cup |
| 1973 | Tottenham Hotspur | Norwich City | 1-0 | Football League Cup |
| 1972 | Stoke City | Chelsea | 2-1 | Football League Cup |
| 1971 | Tottenham Hotspur | Aston Villa | 2-0 | Football League Cup |
| 1970 | Manchester City | West Bromwich Albion | 2-1 | Football League Cup |
1960’s
The League Cup Final was played over two legs for the first six years, but became a one off fixture in 1967.
The numbers aligned in 1969, which is when I was born and my home town Club Swindon Town won the League Cup Final.
One of Swindon’s heroes, Don Rogers, is still a big part of the town running a sports shop in the Town.
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Swindon Town | Arsenal | 3-1 | Football League Cup |
| 1968 | Leeds United | Arsenal | 1-0 | Football League Cup |
| 1967 | Queens Park Rangers | West Bromwich Albion | 3-2 | Football League Cup |
| 1966 | West Bromwich Albion | West ham United | 1-2 4-1 |
Football League Cup |
| 1965 | Chelsea | Leicester City | 3-2 0-0 |
Football League Cup |
| 1964 | Leicester City | Stoke City | 1-1 3-2 |
Football League Cup |
| 1963 | Birmingham City | Aston Villa | 3-1 0-0 |
Football League Cup |
| 1962 | Norwich City | Rochdale | 3-0 1-0 |
Football League Cup |
| 1961 | Aston Villa | Rotherham | 3-0 0-2 |
Football League Cup |
Most Successful League Cup Teams
In the 59 Years the League Cup has been played only 23 Teams have won
| League Cup Multiple Winners | |
|---|---|
| 8 | Liverpool |
| 7 | Manchester City |
| 5 | Aston Villa |
| Chelsea | |
| Manchester United | |
| 4 | Nottingham Forest |
| Tottenham Hotspur | |
| 3 | Leicester City |
| 2 | Arsenal |
| Birmingham City | |
| Norwich City | |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| League Cup Winners |
|---|
| Blackburn Rovers |
| Leeds United |
| Luton Town |
| Middlesborough |
| Oxford United |
| Queens Park Rangers |
| Sheffield Wednesday |
| Stoke City |
| Swansea City |
| Swindon Town |
| West Bromwich Albion |
League Cup Names
The League Cup has been played under many different names, as sponsorship has often changed
| Competition Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Carabao Cup | 2017/18 to present |
| English Football League Cup | 2016/17 |
| Capital One Cup | 2012/13 to 2015/16 |
| Carling Cup | 2003/04 to 2011/12 |
| Worthington Cup | 1998/99 to 2002/03 |
| Coca-Cola Cup | 1992/93 to 1997/98 |
| Rumbelows Cup | 1990/91 to 1991/92 |
| Littlewoods Challenge Cup | 1986/87 to 1989/90 |
| Milk Cup | 1980/81 to 1985/86 |
| Football League Cup | 1960/61 to 1979/80 |
Most Successful League Cup Managers
These are the most successful League Cup Managers, all of whom have won the League Cup more than once
| Wins | Manager |
|---|---|
| 4 | Jose Mourinho |
| Sir Alex Ferguson | |
| Brian Clough | |
| 3 | Pep Guardiola |
| George Graham | |
| Bob Paisley | |
| 2 | Manuel Pellegrini |
| Gerard Houllier | |
| Martin O’Neill | |
| Ron Atkinson | |
| Ron Saunders | |
| Bill Nicholson | |
| Joe Mercer |