Fleetwood Town produced one of the biggest shocks in English League Cup history by eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties, but the celebrations were followed by an awkward live interview that prompted Sky Sports to apologise four times.
The League Two side held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw after normal time before winning the shootout to reach the quarter-finals. Fleetwood Town converted all five of their penalties, while goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimaraes’ effort to secure a remarkable victory for the “Cod Army”.
Connor Hough scored the decisive penalty and was then interviewed live by Sky Sports programme Touchline. The conversation quickly became uncomfortable after he used inappropriate language while trying to describe his thoughts before taking the final spot-kick.
Asked what had been going through his mind before the decisive moment, Hough replied: “I don’t know,” before adding a phrase that caused him to stumble over his words.
“Pick my spot, put it in the top corner and run as fast as I can,” he said, according to the Daily Mail. “It’s madness. I’m so proud of the lads. It shows how good a team we are.”
The Touchline reporter Juliet Ferrington apologised immediately for the language used during the interview. She repeated the apology at the end of the exchange, while Hough appeared visibly embarrassed as he looked towards both the presenter and the camera.
When coverage returned to the studio, Sky Sports issued two further apologies for the wording used in the interview. The repeated statements left some viewers confused, particularly because the incident had already been acknowledged on the pitchside broadcast.
Fleetwood Town’s victory came despite the significant difference in status between the two clubs. Arsenal entered the match as Premier League champions, while Fleetwood Town were competing from the third tier of English football.
The fixture information shown alongside the report listed Fleetwood Town under the English third division for 31 October 2026, with Bristol Rovers also mentioned. Liverpool appeared under the Premier League heading for 1 November 2026, alongside Arsenal.
Hough’s penalty completed an extraordinary night for Fleetwood Town, whose players held their nerve throughout the shootout. Lynch’s save from Bruno Guimaraes proved decisive before Hough converted the fifth and final attempt to send his side through.
The result ensured Fleetwood Town progressed to the quarter-finals, while Arsenal’s involvement in the English League Cup ended in a defeat that will be remembered as one of the competition’s most unexpected results.
