2010–11 Football League Cup
The 2010–11 Football League Cup (known as the Carling Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for the top 92 football clubs played in English football league system.
| Carling Cup, League Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Country | England Wales |
| Dates | 10 August 2010 – 27 February 2011 |
| Teams | 92 |
| Defending champions | Manchester United |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Birmingham City (2nd title) |
| Runner-up | Arsenal |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 93 |
| Goals scored | 314 (3.38 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Carlton Cole Scott Sinclair (4 goals) |
The winners were granted a place in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League. However, in cases where a team had already gained a place in European competition via their league position or progress in other cup competitions, their place in the Europa League was deferred to the next best-placed league side not already qualified for European competitions.
Manchester United were the defending champions for the second successive season, but were knocked out in the fifth round by West Ham United.
The final was contested on 27 February 2011 between Arsenal and Birmingham City. Birmingham were the surprise 2–1 winners in the final to win just the second major trophy in their history. Birmingham City also won their first major trophy since 1963 (also a League Cup) and earned a place in European competition for the first time since 1961.