Grimsby Town, fresh off a stunning upset victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, have been drawn to face Sheffield Wednesday in the third round. The League Two side will travel to Hillsborough to face the Championship team in a match that promises to be a compelling contest.
Grimsby's path to the third round was paved with drama and excitement. In their match against Manchester United, they surged to a 2-0 lead in the first half, thanks to goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren. However, Manchester United fought back in the second half, with Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire scoring late goals to level the score and force a penalty shootout. The penalty shootout was a tense affair that went deep into sudden death before Grimsby secured a 12-11 victory, sending their fans into ecstasy. Bryan Mbeumo's miss ultimately sealed United's fate.
Sheffield Wednesday progressed to the third round after their own penalty shootout victory over newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds United. However, the atmosphere at Hillsborough was subdued, with many Wednesday fans boycotting the game in protest against the club's owner, Dejphon Chansiri.
The match against Sheffield Wednesday will not be the first time Grimsby has faced the Owls in the Carabao Cup. The two teams met in the same competition last year, with Sheffield Wednesday winning 5-1. However, Grimsby will be heading to Hillsborough full of confidence, buoyed by their impressive win over Manchester United and their unbeaten start to the season.
The defeat against Grimsby was a significant blow for Manchester United and their manager, Ruben Amorim. Amorim described the loss as a humiliation and stated that his players "spoke really loud" with their performance. The result piles more pressure on Amorim, with Manchester United yet to win this season.
The Grimsby victory was celebrated as one of the greatest nights in the club's history. The scenes at Blundell Park were euphoric, with fans invading the pitch to celebrate with their heroes. For Grimsby, the win was not just a cup victory but a historic moment that will be remembered for years to come.
Other notable third-round fixtures include Carabao Cup holders Newcastle United at home to League One Bradford City. Liverpool will host Championship side Southampton at Anfield. There are also all-Premier League clashes, with Everton taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford hosting Aston Villa.
The third-round ties are scheduled to take place in September.