From Fulham’s Harrison Reed making a long-awaited return to Brighton’s teenage striker Stefanos Tzimas announcing himself with a brace, the Carabao Cup second round offered opportunities for hidden gems and forgotten men. Here are the Premier League players who grabbed their chance — and those still fighting to convince.
The Carabao Cup second round is in the books, and with the draw for the third round already made, many players who featured midweek will slip back into the shadows as the Premier League resumes this weekend. But for others, these games provided a platform to stake a claim for more minutes.
Here are the Premier League players who made the most of their Carabao Cup audition — and a few who left questions unanswered.
Harrison Reed (Fulham)
Reed has endured a frustrating year, with injuries and form limiting him to zero league starts in 2024/25. But against Ipswich, the midfielder reminded Marco Silva of his value. From a second-minute overhead kick to a clever corner routine that led to Raul Jimenez’s goal, Reed was industrious, tidy, and effective. It won’t silence Silva’s pleas for reinforcements, but it may just secure Reed more minutes.
Stefanos Tzimas (Brighton)
Brighton’s teenage striker stole the show with two goals in a 6-0 thrashing of Oxford United. Fabian Hürzeler is rightly cautious with his young talent, but Tzimas’ poacher’s instincts were undeniable. Having cost £20.8m and spent last season on loan at Nuremberg, he looks closer to a Premier League breakthrough — even if his manager insists progress will remain “step by step.”
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
In what some fans are branding his “culture war” with struggling boss Ruben Amorim, Mainoo did his part to escape the Grimsby “stigma.” The England international was neat if unspectacular, but he provided an assist for Bryan Mbeumo and converted his penalty in the shootout. With Amorim under pressure, Mainoo’s steady display may have counted for more than meets the eye.
Harrison Armstrong (Everton)
The 18-year-old midfielder impressed during his Derby loan and showed against lower-league opposition why Everton may want to keep him close rather than sending him out again. Technically sharp and creative, Armstrong already has three assists in just 273 minutes for Everton — second only to Dwight McNeil since last season. A managed introduction into the first team could accelerate his development.
Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolves)
Introduced for the final 20 minutes, Tchatchoua transformed Wolves’ attack with pace and delivery from wide. He set up both of Jorgen Strand Larsen’s goals in a dramatic turnaround, proving that sometimes a direct approach is exactly what’s needed. With Wolves still searching for their first Premier League goal, he has surely earned a bigger role.
Kyle Walker-Peters (West Ham)
In a team struggling for consistency, Walker-Peters provided solidity and a fine assist despite defeat. With Aaron Wan-Bissaka faltering in recent outings, Graham Potter may have to consider reshuffling his defensive options — and the former Southampton man has presented a strong case.
Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
Onyeka has been something of a forgotten man at Brentford, spending more time on loan than in Thomas Frank’s midfield. But under interim boss Keith Andrews, he came alive, providing an assist in a composed display against Bournemouth. If he can build on this, the 26-year-old could still revive his Bees career.
Other Notable
- Julio Soler (Bournemouth): Looked steady at left-back and earned praise from Andoni Iraola for his defensive resilience.
- Loum Tchaouna (Burnley): A lively presence who could push for more league starts soon.
- Marc Guiu (Sunderland, on loan from Chelsea): Continued his habit of scoring in cup competitions, giving Sunderland fans hope he’ll get more minutes.
- Lukas Nmecha (Leeds United): Scored his penalty and held up play well despite his side’s exit.
Takeaway
The Carabao Cup often provides a shop window for fringe players, academy graduates, and forgotten figures. This round was no different: from Tzimas’ breakthrough to Mainoo’s steady resilience, several players used the platform to demand more attention. Not all will get it — but those who do may look back on this week as a turning point.
