Carabao Cup semi-final draw: Arsenal, Chelsea, City, Newcastle and Palace discover fate

Reigning champions Newcastle will face off against Manchester City for a place in the Carabao Cup final after coming through a nervy quarter-final clash with Fulham.

In this year’s other two-legged semi-final, Chelsea will lock horns with whichever team prevails from next week’s all-Premier League quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

Chelsea were the first club to book their place in the semi-finals after edging out League One opposition Cardiff City in a 3-1 victory on Tuesday evening.

After a goalless first half in the Welsh capital, Alejandro Garnacho scored twice and Pedro Neto also netted to send the Club World Cup winners through to the last four.

Twenty-four hours later, Manchester City, the most successful team in the competition’s history, secured their progression with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Brentford at the Etihad.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, the holders, left it late to see off Fulham in this evening’s other semi-final at St James’ Park, with local hero Lewis Miley heading home in the 92nd minute to seal a 2-1 win.

Only three of the four quarter-finals were completed before tonight’s draw.

Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace had initially been scheduled to take place this week but had to be moved due to the Eagles’ involvement in the Europa Conference League.

Given Oliver Glasner’s men would have had to play three matches in five days, the all-London quarter-final has been pushed back to next Tuesday evening instead.

When are the Carabao Cup semi-finals and final?

The first legs of all four semi-final ties are set to take place in the week commencing January 12 2026.

The second leg fixtures will be played in the week commencing February 2.

The two winners from the semi-finals will do battle at Wembley for a shot at glory on March 22.

Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after Newcastle’s quarter-final win, a ‘buzzing’ Miley admitted there was an element of luck in his last-gasp header.

‘Great feeling. I thought I’d try to flick it on, and it luckily hit the back of the net and I’m buzzing,’ the 19-year-old midfielder said.

‘It’s an unreal feeling. I grew up here, it couldn’t be a better feeling and hopefully we progress to the final.

‘We won it last season and hopefully we can do that again this year.

‘The last result wasn’t good for us, but getting that win tonight was good for us.’

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