The article revisits some of the EFL Cup’s most extraordinary high-scoring matches, illustrating how early-round fixtures can produce dramatic comebacks, heavy defeats and prolonged penalty shoot-outs.

– Dagenham & Redbridge drew 6-6 with Brentford in 2014 before Brentford won 4-2 on penalties; it remains the joint-highest-scoring tie.
– Aston Villa overturned a 3-1 half-time deficit to beat Wycombe 8-3 in 2005, scoring seven times after the break.
– West Ham United beat Bury 10-0 in a 1983 second-leg tie, with Tony Cottee scoring four goals.
– Arsenal recovered from 4-0 down against Reading in 2012 to win 7-5 after extra time.