The Carabao Cup final takes on extra significance than just a day out at Wembley for two proud clubs and their fans
Fizz, froth, colour, and a hint of pulse-pumping vim. Welcome to Wembley Stadium, February 2023, a place where Thailand’s second-most popular energy drink is finally having its own on-brand midwinter moment.
There have been times during Carabao’s five-year title partnership when the final of English football’s second-tier domestic cup has felt a little flavourless, flat and lacking in gas. Manchester City won the first four titles of the Carabao era. Quadruple-chasing Liverpool pipped a mid-meltdown Chelsea on penalties to claim the last one. And for all the fun of the day itself this has felt like an incidental kind of glory: keenly fought on the day, but essentially a piece of housekeeping en route to some other more vital appointment.
