Burnley, Wolves & West Ham Kick Off Season with Cup Wins

The three relegated Premier League teams kicked off their seasons with Carabao Cup wins.

The new EFL Championship season gets underway next weekend, and all three clubs are expected to be in or around the promotion race.

Clarets Scrape Through Against EFL League One Notts County

Burnley needed penalties to eventually see off Notts County at Turf Moor in the opening round of the EFL Cup.

County are back in the third tier, winning the EFL League Two play-offs last term. They proved to be tough opponents for Burnley, taking the Clarets to penalties.

Callum Roberts opened the scoring for the visitors, but Zian Flemming levelled just after the break. Nicky Hayen’s side went on to win 4-3 on penalties to reach round two.

Wolves Cruise Past Vale on Friday Night

Wolverhampton Wanderers were in Friday night cup action, facing Port Vale at Molineux. After taking over in the summer, Cesar Peixoto was desperate for a debut win.

Wanderers made light work of the League Two team, easing to a 3-0 victory on home turf. First-half goals from Adam Armstrong, Andre, and Fer Lopez did the business.

The Midlands club start their Championship campaign on Friday, with Blackburn Rovers visiting Molineux.

Hammers See Off Pompey

West Ham started their 2026-27 season with a League Cup victory over fellow Championship side Portsmouth. A 50,000+ crowd watched the Hammers secure a comfortable 3-1 win.

The West Ham fans may have been fearing the worst when Adrian Segercic’s deflected effort beat Mads Hermansen after 33 minutes. However, the Irons were ahead at the break thanks to goals from Valentin Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen.

Castellanos completed the scoring five minutes into the second period, and West Ham held on for the win. They will be looking to back that up with another victory when they face Burnley in their Championship opener at Turf Moor next Sunday.