[1] Manchester City successfully defended their title,[2] their first step in becoming the first English team to complete a domestic treble for the football season, as they later won the 2018–19 Premier League and the 2018–19 FA Cup.
[3] In June 2018, it was announced that there would be a number of changes to the competition after a vote by all of the English Football League clubs at their annual EFL Summer Conference in Portugal.
[4][5] Extra time would be scrapped for all rounds except for the final with the tie progressing straight to a penalty shoot-out in the event of a draw after 90 minutes.
[6] Video assistant referees (VAR) were also authorised for use at matches played at Premier League club grounds.
The seven remaining Premier League clubs involved in European competition joined the 25 match-winners from the second round.
[14] The quarter-final draw took place on 31 October and was made by Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.