2010–11 Football League Cup
The League Cup 2010/11 was the 51th edition of the tournament; The Carling Cup or League Cup. The tournament started with 92 clubs.
The competition started on August 9, 2010 with the First Round and ended with the final at Wembley Stadium in London on February 27, 2011. The winner of the competition was Birmingham City.
First round
The draw for the first round was held on 16 June 2010. The Burnley and Hull City were the only teams from the Football League, who went in the second round of the tournament, as they were the two bestplatziertesten teams last season. The other 70 teams in the Football League had already compete in the first round.
North
Second Round
In the second round, the 13 Premier League clubs increased, which could in the last season does not qualify for a European competition, and the Burnley and Hull City ( see above).
Third Round
From the third round had to play the seven teams that had qualified for the current season for European competitions. Northampton Town from The Football League Two, was the club from the lowest league, which was represented nor in competition.
Second round
Since Northampton Town had also survived the third round, it was for the 2006/07 season, the first time that a club in the competition was at this time from all four top leagues.
Quarterfinals
With Ipswich Town only one club was represented in the competition who does not play in the Premier League. Defending champion Manchester United was thrown out in this round against West Ham United.
Semifinal
The semi-final matches were held in January. The semi-final was the first and only round that was discharged with return game.
Final
The final took place at Wembley and was directed by Mike Dean. Arsenal went into the game as favorites, as they had won in the league both comparisons. Nevertheless, Arsenal lost somewhat surprising with 1:2 and Birmingham City thus won the first title since 1963. By winning the League Cup in Birmingham has qualified for the play-offs of the Europa League 2011/12.