BARROW AFC got the Premier League draw they hoped for in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup.
The Bluebirds' reward for victory over Derby County at Holker Street on Tuesday night is a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Enzo Maresca's star-studded Chelsea.
Speaking after the 3-2 penalty shoot-out victory against the Rams, Barrow boss Stephen Clemence admitted he was dreaming of a tie at former club Tottenham Hotspur.
Wow, see you soon @ChelseaFC 🤝#WeAreBarrow https://t.co/AOKwnrkaUF pic.twitter.com/jn4mLXD7OG
— Barrow AFC (@BarrowAFC) August 28, 2024
Clemence said: "The owners would probably say they would like one of the big boys away to help the football club.
"Of course, it would be nice to take on one of the big boys, maybe at Tottenham. I wouldn't mind going back there."
But it is a trip to west London rather than the north of the capital which is on the cards.
READ MORE: Barrow AFC defeat Derby County in Carabao Cup clash
It’s not the first time the two sides have locked horns in a cup tie but you have to go back to January 10, 1948, for the previous encounter.
That was another Third Round tie but in the FA Cup.
The game was played in front of a crowd of 44,336 at Stamford Bridge and saw the hosts running out 5-0 winners.
76 years on, we face Barrow for the 2nd time...#CarabaoCup 3rd round#CFCHeritage pic.twitter.com/STyiMwkp46
— The History of Chelsea FC ⭐⭐ (@stamford_bridge) August 28, 2024
To avoid fixture clashes with the expanded Champions League and Europa League, a preliminary draw had determined that the first four sides involved in those competitions would play at home, and the latter two would be away.
Five of those teams drew EFL opposition.
🏆 The draw for Round Three has been made! ⤵️#EFL | #CarabaoCup
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 28, 2024
Manchester City, who have won this competition four times under manager Pep Guardiola, were drawn at home to Tom Cleverley’s Watford, 2-0 winners against Plymouth on Tuesday, while Arsenal will host Bolton, who won at Shrewsbury.
Manchester United will also be at home and face League One Barnsley, who saw off Sheffield United with a 1-0 win on Tuesday.
Wycombe’s reward for winning 1-0 at Swansea on Wednesday is a home tie against Aston Villa, while Coventry will welcome Tottenham.
Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, the last of the European sides, will begin the defence of the trophy at home to West Ham in an all Premier League tie.
Newcastle, who edged out Nottingham Forest on penalties on Wednesday, will be heading to the capital to take on another League Two side in AFC Wimbledon.
A pair of all-Premier League ties will see Everton host Southampton, who snatched a dramatic 5-3 win at Cardiff, while Brighton host Wolves.
League One Leyton Orient will cross the capital to face Premier League Brentford, while QPR will welcome Crystal Palace in another London derby.
League Two Walsall will host Leicester and Fulham will head to Preston. Blackpool will take on Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke are at home to Fleetwood.
The Third Round Carabao Cup games will be played in the weeks commencing September 16 and 23.
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