The unconventional start to the season has meant that the EFL Cup is already down to its last eight teams.
Manchester City have monopolised the competition in recent seasons, winning it three seasons running.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain in the competition and remain the team to beat, but Liverpool have been eliminated.
We’ve also seen that this is a crazy season so far, which should encourage all of the last eight to dream of lifting the trophy at Wembley.
But we’ve got three clubs who have a valuable opportunity here to end trophy droughts of various lengths in this season’s EFL Cup…
Tottenham
Tottenham face a trip to Stoke in the quarter-finals, who are one of only two Championship sides left in the competition.
Jose Mourinho’s side should fancy themselves to navigate that tie and get into the last four.
The Portuguese has history with the competition, winning it three times; with Chelsea in 2005 and 2007 and Manchester United in 2017.
He was brought to Spurs to win a trophy and has an enticing opportunity here.
There aren’t too many better than Mourinho when it comes to formulating a big-game plan, as he showed in the previous round against Chelsea.
Spurs haven’t won a trophy since lifting the League Cup in 2008 and that is a monkey they need to get off their back as soon as possible.
Everton
Everton have been rampant at the start of the season, scoring 12 times en route to the quarter-finals.
They host Manchester United in the last eight, and should fancy their chances of eliminating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s out-of-sorts side.
The mood around the club is joyous right now and a trophy is long overdue since the FA Cup win in 1995.
The EFL Cup represents a chance to transform this early optimism into something tangible.
Newcastle
Steve Bruce promised he would have a crack at the cup competitions, which had been sorely neglected at Newcastle for far too long.
They also face Championship opposition in the shape of Brentford.
That represents an opportunity for the Magpies and a semi-final clash would get the fans excited.
Newcastle’s last domestic trophy came in the shape of the 1955 FA Cup, which is far too long for a club of their stature.
They remain outsiders, but have a glimpse of the last four and once they get there, anything can happen, especially if the draw is kind.
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