Kyle Walker stepped up to convert the decisive spot‑kick as Burnley edged past Notts County 4‑3 in a penalty shootout, clinching a place in the Carabao Cup second round after the two sides were deadlocked 1‑1 at Turf Moor. The newly promoted County, who had lifted the League Two play‑off trophy after beating Salford in May, took the lead at the break through Callum Roberts.
However, the Clarets responded swiftly in the second half when Zian Flemming found the net to level the score, setting the stage for a tense finale. In the shootout, Burnley keeper Max Weiss made two crucial saves, denying Notts County’s Emile Acquah and Jacob Bedeau. With the pressure mounting, Walker calmly slotted the final penalty, sending the Clarets through to the next stage.
The first‑round action was packed with drama across the country. In London, West Ham United, playing their first game after relegation from the Premier League, rallied from an early deficit to beat Portsmouth 3‑1 at the London Stadium. Adrian Segecic gave the visitors the lead in the first half, but the Hammers turned the tide before the interval when Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen each struck, and Castellanos added a second‑half goal to seal the win. Further south, substitute Jamal Lowe proved decisive for Sheffield Wednesday, netting the only goal in a 1‑0 triumph over a reduced‑strength Bolton at Hillsborough.
Lowe’s finish came midway through the second half after Bolton’s Xavier Simons was sent off for punching an on‑loan Leeds striker, Harry Gray, in retaliation. At Loftus Road, Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen emerged as the hero, saving all four of QPR’s penalties as the Lions prevailed 2‑0 in a shootout after a 1‑1 draw in regular time. Luke Cundle had given Millwall a lead in the second half following a goalkeeper error, only for QPR to equalise via a late own‑goal from Mark Sykes, forcing the match into penalties. Norwich City’s debutant Andre Brooks opened the scoring as the Canaries cruised to a comfortable 4‑1 victory over MK Dons at Carrow Road.
In Wales, Cardiff City’s substitute Jack Moylan marked his debut with the winning goal, securing a 3‑2 comeback win against Swindon after James Debayo was dismissed for two yellows in the final six minutes. In the Welsh valleys, August Priske’s first‑half strike gave Birmingham a 1‑0 win at Swansea, while Marc Bola’s spectacular long‑range effort in added time earned Watford a 1‑0 victory over Crawley. Blackburn secured a 2‑1 win at Burton thanks to late goals from substitutes Andri Gudjohnsen and Jayden Fevrier. Lincoln City, fresh from promotion, continued their upward trajectory by beating Derby 2‑1, with first‑half goals from Ben House and Dom Jefferies before Sammie Szmodics pulled one back for the Rams.
Stoke City benefited from an own‑goal by Ollie Norburn and a late strike from Robert Bozenik to defeat Oldham 2‑0 at the bet365 Stadium, while Bradford’s Will Swan and Aden Baldwin combined for a 2‑0 home win over Rochdale. Fleetwood Town’s captain Ched Evans scored in the first half to give his side a 1‑0 home win over Chesterfield, and Cambridge United responded to a 2‑1 defeat of Barnet with second‑half goals from Ben Knight and Isaac Heath. AFC Wimbledon, Barnsley and Reading all progressed after winning penalty shootouts against Newport, Wigan and Bromley respectively. Meanwhile, Preston North End, Shrewsbury Town and Doncaster Rovers emerged victorious from shootouts with Huddersfield, Salford and Stockport.
Luca Moore’s late goal secured a 2‑1 win for Crewe Alexandra over Accrington at Gresty Road, and Leyton Orient earned a 2‑0 home victory against Oxford thanks to late strikes from Demetri Mitchell and Idris El Mizouni. Peterborough United, Luton Town and Blackpool all recorded away wins at Bristol Rovers, Gillingham and Grimsby respectively, while Caleb Okoli’s header gave Leicester City a 1‑0 home win over Northampton. In the evening fixtures, Southampton enjoyed a 2‑0 success at Colchester, with goals from Cyle Larin and Romeo Akachukwu. West Bromwich Albion dominated Rotherham 4‑1, and Charlton Athletic secured a 3‑1 victory at Cheltenham.
The draw for the second round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup will be conducted live on Sky Sports Football on Monday, 10 August, during the build‑up to the tie between Plymouth and Exeter. The second‑round draw will feature all first‑round victors together with the eleven Premier League clubs that are not involved in European competition. Fans can also take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win a £250,000 prize, with free entry available through the official channels.