Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Jay Lynch said his side were inspired by Grimsby beating Manchester United last year as they became the second League Two side in the space of a year to knock out a Carabao Cup giant.
The Cod Army won 5-3 on penalties to knock out Premier League champions Arsenal in the last 16 after a 1-1 draw in normal time for a win that will go down as one of the biggest in League Cup history.
It was on penalties that League Two side Grimsby exited Man Utd in the second round last year, but Fleetwood’s achievements can top that after knocking out last year’s Premier League winners and Champions League runners-up.
Goalkeeper Lynch played a big part, making a number of huge saves, including one to deny Bruno Guimaraes in the shoot-out, and was ready to enjoy the jubilant scenes at HIghbury.
He told Sky Sports: “My voice has gone from organizing the defence.
“The whole team was superb throughout the game. To beat the English champions, credit to those guys.
“We took heart from Grimsby beating Man Utd last year. We compared it.
“A typical night at Fleetwood. We were expecting a storm, we knew the conditions were going to be awful so we thought it might go in our favour.
“Amazing for the club, the city. Honestly, it means everything to everybody.”
Lawlor, Fleetwood boss: The club’s biggest night
Fleetwood Town boss Matt Lawlor reveled in Fleetwood’s epic night, which he declared the best in the club’s history, having been a non-league side for much of their pre-2012 existence.
He told Sky Sports: “It’s very difficult to address the players. I just said enjoy yourself and then we’ve got a league game on Saturday and I didn’t want to be the bearer of reality but we’ve got a game. I can’t believe it.”
“The biggest night in the history of the club in terms of opposition comes to town and we managed to beat the champions.
“We knew before the game, we’re not stupid enough or selfish enough to think we’re going to go to the best team in the country and the most organized team in the country and the best of the basics and the world-class players because we’re going to beat them.
“So we had to ride our luck, we had to deny space, we had to deny options. And I think we did that very, very well for the majority of the game.
“Obviously the goal goes, but they’re going to go, they’re very good at football, the players they have, the gaps they find and we see that every week in the Premier League.
“I’m a big football fan and I watch the National League through to the Premier League, Championship.
“So for me it was a difficult game to prepare for, but I’m very happy that the boys are feeling the way they are and have used this performance to make this city, this club, proud.”
Carabao Cup: When is the EFL Cup quarter-final draw?
The draw will take place on Wednesday 28 October after the quarter-finals between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Presenter Dave Jones will host the draw alongside former England defenders Conor Coady and Graeme Le Saux.
What time is the EFL Cup quarter final draw?
The match at Anfield kicks off at 20:00 GMT (16:00 ET / 13:00 PT) and will go straight to penalties if the score is level after 90 minutes.
This means that the draw is likely to take place at approximately 22:00 GMT (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT), depending on the added time and whether spot releases are required.
EFL Cup: What channel is the Carabao Cup based on?
All eight draws are on Sky Sportswith the match between Liverpool and Chelsea also available on ITV1.
