Overview
- Leeds beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the City Ground to reach round three after also winning the Premier League meeting three days earlier on August 22, 2026.
- Dan James scored the opener five minutes after half-time and a 75th-minute goal was later credited to James Justin after being initially recorded as a Neco Williams own goal.
- Nottingham Forest were the only Premier League side knocked out on the second-round evening as most top-flight teams progressed to the third round.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers also advanced with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday following a morale-boosting 3-1 Championship win at Preston that Peixoto said justifies prioritising the league.
- Matches were played with significant squad rotation because of the short turnaround, and the second-round results set up a third round in which clubs in European competition will join the draw.