Carabao Cup second round: no extra time rule explained as Premier League sides enter

Premier League sides join the Carabao Cup at the second round stage, with fixtures scheduled across three evenings from Tuesday 25 August to Thursday 27 August — and a notable rule quirk that catches many fans off guard: there is no extra time.

If a second-round tie is level after 90 minutes, the referee blows the final whistle and the teams go straight to a penalty shootout. The rule was introduced to ease fixture congestion early in the English football calendar and applies to every round of the competition until the semi-finals.

The shootout follows the traditional alternating format — not the ABBA system that was trialled in previous seasons. Each side takes turns from the spot in a standard best-of-five sequence, with sudden death used if the scores remain level after five penalties apiece.

Extra time only comes into play at the semi-final second legs and the final at Wembley Stadium. At those stages, a draw after 90 minutes triggers two additional 15-minute halves, and a penalty shootout is used if the teams cannot be separated after 120 minutes.

Of the 20 Premier League clubs, only those not competing in UEFA competition this season enter at the second round. The remaining nine sides — those with European commitments — receive a bye and join at the third round.

Among the notable second-round fixtures is an all-Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Leeds on Tuesday 25 August. Tottenham Hotspur host Charlton Athletic on Wednesday 26 August, while Chelsea face Luton Town on Thursday 27 August.