Is there extra-time in the Carabao Cup?

The concept of an extra half-hour tacked onto the end of a match between two sides that cannot be separated after 90 minutes is older than permanent crossbars.

The Royal Engineers and the Old Etonians embarked upon the first period of extra-time in the 1875 FA Cup final after each side directed the ball between two fixed posts and underneath a loose roll of tape.

Over the subsequent decades, the English Football Association has settled on a solid goal frame but the rules regarding extra-time are far less universal. Each competition has its own intricacies and the Carabao Cup - which was founded almost a century after extra-time was first employed - has become an unwitting subject for various experimentations.

Here's everything you need to know about the use of extra-time in this season's Carabao Cup.

Is there extra-time in the Carabao Cup?

The answer is yes and no.

Extra-time doesn't come into play until the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, meaning ties all the way up to and including the quarter-final will not feature an additional 30 minutes in the event of a draw.

That rule came into effect at the beginning of the 2018/19 season and was a decision widely supported by competing clubs in a bid to reduce the demand on players in an ever-increasing football schedule.

The Carabao Cup is already a competition that is often seen as an inconvenience to many teams, so the idea of 120-minute midweek games sandwiched between league matches didn't sit well.

In principle, this change means fewer tired legs and fewer injuries.

If the two sides have scored and conceded the same number of goals by the end of the semi-final second leg, they will be forced into another 30 minutes of action ahead of a penalty shootout if necessary. The final hosted at Wembley Stadium each year follows the same procedure; extra-time and then spot kicks to decide the victor.

In the 21st century, eight League Cup finals have finished all square after 90 minutes - only two of those even fixtures were decided in extra-time without the intervention of a penalty shootout.

What happens if sides draw in the Carabao Cup?

In the eventuality that Carabao Cup clashes end all square after 90 minutes prior to the semi-final, ties go straight to penalties. Not only does this save the inevitable snooze-fest of extra-time, but it also suits smaller clubs better should they manage a surprise draw.

The dreaded replays - which are still in operation in the FA Cup - have not been used in a single-legged League Cup tie since the 1996/97 season.

If extra-time was in play, the higher-ranked clubs with bigger and deeper squads would be even more likely to triumph. Not only does taking ties straight to penalties prevent fatigue and injuries, but it also somewhat levels the playing field for lower-league teams.

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