Overview
- Decisive second‑round results on Wednesday shaped the draw, with Tottenham beating Charlton 5-1, Everton routing Preston 4-0 and Newcastle edging West Brom 3-2.
- The full third‑round lineup includes Liverpool v Tottenham and Everton v Wolves, with Chelsea v Luton and Fulham v AFC Wimbledon still to be decided to complete the bracket.
- Organisers will stage third‑round ties across the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14 because nine Premier League clubs in European competition enter the cup at this stage.
- The second round underlined the competition’s role for squad rotation and new signings, exemplified by Savio scoring on his Spurs debut and Thierno Barry’s hat‑trick for Everton.
- Lower‑league sides remain in the mix after Bradford knocked out Burnley on penalties, and the draw leaves open up to six all‑Premier League ties that could test squad depth for managers.