The EFL Cup has come in for some criticism this season, be it either for the multitude of changes we have seen in the last couple of days or due to the fact that they have somehow managed to get the draw wrong in both of the first two rounds.
I think the third round draw went off without a hitch but it was held at the ludicrous time of 4:15am this morning (Thursday, UK time) the reason being that it took place in Beijing. Now why this had to happen is done to one sole factor, sponsorship.
The competition is called the Carabao Cup for the next three seasons and in a obvious sense of The EFL chasing the money they have taken the draw of the competition on a very unnecessary global tour.
Even if you wanted to pull an all nighter just to see who your team was paired then your hopes would be thwarted as it was not shown on UK television. So assuming that no fake news has leaked out of China in the last few hours he are the main stories from the draw
Holders Manchester United face Burton at Old Trafford, Chelsea have been paired with Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. Tottenham will face Championship opposition at Wembley with either Barnsley or Derby making the trip to the capital. While Arsenal play host to Doncaster, Liverpool travel to Leicester and Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City face West Brom at The Hawthorns
Here is the draw in full
Third round draw
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City
Everton v Sunderland
Leicester City v Liverpool
Manchester United v Burton Albion
Brentford v Norwich City
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bristol Rovers
Burnley v Leeds
Arsenal v Doncaster Rovers
Bristol City v Stoke City
Reading v Swansea City
Aston Villa v Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town
Tottenham Hotspur v Barnsley/Derby County
Bournemouth v Brighton and Hove Albion