Fleetwood Town defender Conor Haughey experienced a night like no other after scoring the winning penalty that eliminated Premier League champions Arsenal from the Carabao Cup following a 5-3 shootout victory. The teenager’s decisive fifth spot-kick rocketed into the top corner at Highbury Stadium, triggering a pitch invasion and securing one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.
Overwhelmed by Notifications and Viral Fame
Haughey recounted to BBC Sport NI that his phone crashed for two to three hours due to an overwhelming stream of notifications following the game. Friends and family back home in Belfast flooded his device with congratulatory messages. Beyond the winning kick, the young defender also made headlines due to an unfiltered, sweary post-match television interview that quickly spread across social media platforms.
Discussing the viral clip with BBC Sport NI, Haughey explained that excessive emotions caused his reaction. He noted that growing up in the New Lodge area shaped his manner of speaking, which simply emerged during the moment. Describing the experience as a dream, he admitted that waking up and realizing the event actually happened felt completely surreal.
The center-back joined Fleetwood in the summer of 2023 after previously setting a record as the youngest player in Glentoran history when he debuted at 15 years old. A Northern Ireland Under-21 international, Haughey volunteered himself to take the fifth penalty in the last-16 tie after regular time ended with the score tied following goals from Aaron Loupalo-Bi and Viktor Gyokeres.
Stepping Up Under Pressure
Northern Ireland senior manager Michael O’Neill attended the match to watch promising forward Ceadach O’Neill make his first start for Arsenal and record an assist. However, it was his former JD Academy room-mate Haughey who ultimately captured the spotlight. When coaches asked for volunteers after the first four penalty takers, Haughey immediately put his hand up.
Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved a weak attempt from Bruno Guimaraes, easing the tension before Haughey took his turn. Feeling nervous while watching Arsenal take their penalties, the teenager placed the ball, executed his shot, and sprinted directly toward his friends from Belfast who had rushed onto the pitch.
Sitting 84 places below the Gunners in the English football pyramid, Fleetwood celebrated a historic result. Less than 24 hours after the biggest match of his young career, Haughey stated that the scale of the victory had not yet fully registered, describing how he spent a normal rest day playing video games featuring the very Arsenal players he had just defeated.
Looking ahead, the 19-year-old expressed excitement ahead of the quarter-final draw following the match between Chelsea and Liverpool. When asked which opponent he hopes to host next at Highbury Stadium, Haughey delivered a straightforward answer.
“Man City. Simple as that,” he added.
