Soccer

Barrow head to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in Carabao Cup

The League Two side have reached the third round for the first time in 56 years

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea face League Two opposition
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea face League Two opposition (Joe Giddens/PA)
By PA Sport staff

League Two Barrow were handed a plum tie away at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

The Bluebirds reached the third round for the first time in 56 years on Tuesday when they beat Championship side Derby on penalties.

And they were rewarded with a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Enzo Maresca’s Blues.

To avoid fixture clashes with the expanded Champions League and Europa League, a preliminary draw had determined that the first four sides involved in those competitions would play at home, and the latter two would be away.

Five of the those teams drew EFL opposition.

Manchester City, who have won this competition four times under manager Pep Guardiola, were drawn at home to Tom Cleverley’s Watford, 2-0 winners against Plymouth on Tuesday, while Arsenal will host Bolton, who won at Shrewsbury.

Manchester United will also be at home and face League One Barnsley, who saw off Sheffield United with a 1-0 win on Tuesday.

Wycombe’s reward for winning 1-0 at Swansea on Wednesday is a home tie against Aston Villa, while Coventry will welcome Tottenham.

Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, the last of the European sides, will begin the defence of the trophy at home to West Ham in an all Premier League tie.

Newcastle, who edged out Nottingham Forest on penalties on Wednesday, will be heading to the capital to take on another League Two side in AFC Wimbledon.

A pair of all-Premier League ties will see Everton host Southampton, who snatched a dramatic 5-3 win at Cardiff, while Brighton host Wolves.

League One Leyton Orient will cross the capital to face Premier League Brentford, while QPR will welcome Crystal Palace in another London derby.

League Two Walsall will host Leicester and Fulham will head to Preston. Blackpool will take on Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke are at home to Fleetwood.

All ties will take place on the weeks commencing September 16 and 23.