Carabao Cup Round One
Saturday 8 August 2026
BetWright Stadium
Leyton Orient… 2
(Mitchell 85’, El Mizouni 88’)
Oxford United… 0
Oxford United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup after two late goals from Leyton Orient condemned the Yellows to defeat in the first competitive game of the season.
Demetri Mitchell and former United midfielder Idris El Mizouni struck in the 85th and 88th minutes respectively to seal a 2-0 victory for the O’s.
After an impressive outing against Ipswich Town at the Kassam last weekend, there was plenty of excitement and anticipation ahead of the Carabao Cup tie, with United looking to replicate that fine form.
There were a couple of absentees from the United squad, but Aaron Ramsey still named a strong starting XI as his side looked to secure their first victory of the season at the first attempt.
United made a bright start, pinning Orient back and applying early pressure. The best opportunity of the opening 10 minutes fell to Cameron Brannagan, who fired a free-kick over the bar from 25 yards.
Ciaron Brown registered the game’s first shot on target five minutes later, nodding a Tyler Goodrham corner towards goal, but Nathan Baxter was on hand to keep it out.
The game then began to settle, with Orient gradually finding more of a foothold. Despite applying increased pressure on Jamie Cumming’s goal, the United goalkeeper was never seriously tested during the opening 45 minutes.
Just before half-time, Siriki Dembele came close to breaking the deadlock. Set free down the left wing, the former Bournemouth attacker drifted inside before curling a shot narrowly wide of the right post.
The second half began in similar fashion, with United again on the front foot, although the game soon began to drift.
The Yellows had their best opportunity of the match in the 66th minute when Aidomo Emakhu burst into the box and unleashed a powerful effort that Baxter did well to claw away.
Throughout the game, Ramsey’s side continued to work themselves into promising positions but lacked the final bit of composure needed to turn those openings into clear-cut chances.
Then, with just five minutes remaining, Orient took the lead. Having offered little in an attacking sense, Mitchell hooked the ball over Cumming in what was an unfortunate goal to concede.
Three minutes later, the O’s doubled their advantage through former Oxford midfielder El Mizouni. He strode into the box to meet a cutback before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner.
Defeat ultimately brings United’s Carabao Cup campaign to an early end, but there were still plenty of positives to take from the performance.
Attention now turns to the opening game of the league season, with MK Dons travelling to Oxford next week as United look to begin their league campaign with a victory.
Leyton Orient: Baxter, Stevens, Olowu, El Mizouni, Hayden, Dobra (Mitchell 70’), Boniface, Akhamrich (Springett 70’), Obiero, Chinedu, Archibald (Kabia 70’)
Subs: Phillips, Morris, Levitt, Wellens, Clare, Lowe
Oxford United: Cumming, Long, Brown, Brannagan, Harris (Snowden 86’), Emakhu, Goodrham (Elliott-Wheeler 73’), Spencer (Kioso 86’), McDonnell (Sibley 73’), Dembele (O’Donkor 62’), Currie
Subs: Eastwood, Helik, Golding, Bradney