Everton, Fulham eliminated from 2024-25 EFL Cup following shootout losses to Southampton, Preston

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Everton and Fulham have been knocked out of this season’s EFL Cup after penalty shootout losses to Southampton and Preston North End respectively.

Preston made history with a nerve-wracking 16-15 penalty shootout win, knocking Fulham out of the EFL Carabao Cup. Ryan Ledson scored the decisive penalty after an intense and record-breaking shootout at Deepdale.

The third-round clash ended 1-1, with both teams showing little hint of the chaos to come. Ledson opened the scoring with a stunning volley in the 35th minute, but Fulham soon responded.

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Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson leveled the game, neatly converting Ryan Sessegnon’s cross just after the hour mark. The drama only escalated as the game edged towards penalties.

Both sides were flawless at the spot, with the first 16 penalties all confidently dispatched. Preston’s Freddie Woodman saved Jorge Cuenca’s effort, but Kaine Kesler-Hayden failed to convert, keeping Fulham alive.

When it reached 9-9, even the goalkeepers had to join in the action. Benda scored for Fulham, but Woodman coolly followed suit for Preston.

The original penalty takers had to go again, with every player successfully scoring. At 15-15, Timothy Castagne’s second attempt soared over the bar, leaving Ledson to seal the victory.

Bad start to season for Everton continues

Everton’s disappointing season continued as they suffered a painful EFL Cup exit at the hands of Southampton. The Toffees had blown two Premier League leads recently, and this match followed a familiar pattern.

Abdoulaye Doucoure put Everton ahead, but captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis equalised to send the game to penalties. A 1-1 draw meant a tense shootout, with Ashley Young’s miss proving crucial.

Southampton triumphed 6-5 on penalties, adding to Everton’s misery. The Saints, too, had suffered recent league struggles but came through when it mattered.

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