Cardiff City: The Bluebirds’ cup curse – the fight to equal 2012 record

It is one of the proudest moments in Cardiff City’s recent history, the day they nearly shocked Premier League giants Liverpool in the 2012 League Cup final.

Malky Mackay’s Bluebirds side took Liverpool to penalties at Wembley, with defender Ben Turner sending the Cardiff fans into a frenzy by equalising two minutes from the end of extra time to force a shootout.

Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties but it was still a day to remember for City fans, with Joe Mason (remember him?) opening the scoring for Cardiff before Martin Skrtel and Dirk Kuyt scored for Kenny Dalglish’s side.

However, as they prepare for the start of another League Cup season against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, Cardiff fans will be concerned that they have struggled to live up to that unforgettable day at Wembley ever since.

Only three times have they progressed beyond the second round since 2012: last season, when they lost 5-2 to Blackburn in the third round, and in 2014-15, when they were beaten 3-0 at home by Bournemouth.

Their poor record over the past 12 years includes several disappointing defeats to lower league sides, including two first round defeats to Northampton Town and a first round exit to Bristol Rovers in 2016-17.

Cardiff’s EFL Cup ties since 2012:

2012–13: First round v Northampton Town

2013-14: Third round against West Ham

2014-15: Third round v Bournemouth

2015-16: Second round against MK Dons

2016-17: First round v Bristol Rovers

2017-18: Second round v Burton Albion

2018-19: Second round (entry at this stage) v Norwich

2019-20: Second round (entry at this stage) v Luton Town

2020-21: First round: Northampton Town

2021-22: Second round vs Brighton

2022-23: First round vs Portsmouth

2023-24: Third round v Blackburn Rovers