Tottenham Hotspur win the Carling Cup

Blackleaf

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Oct 9, 2004
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It was north London VS west London in this season's Carling Cup Final final. Only the second London derby in a League Cup Final (and the first was last season's Final between Chelsea and Arsenal)

A goal by Jonathan Woodgate, his first in England since his move from Real Madrid in 2006 and just weeks after he signed for Spurs from Middlesbrough, means Tottenham win the 48th English League Cup.

It's Spurs' first silverware since 1999

League Cup XLVIII

By Jonathan Stevenson

CARLING CUP FINAL

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea (AET)
Berbatov 70 pen...............................Drogba 39
Woodgate 94

(At Wembley Stadium, London. Attendance: 87,660)


Woodgate celebrates his winner - his first goal of the season



Spurs lift the Cup

Tottenham came from a goal down to beat Chelsea at Wembley and win the Carling Cup after extra-time.

Jonathan Woodgate won it when Petr Cech disastrously punched the ball on to his head from Jermaine Jenas's free-kick.

Pascal Chimbonda had hit the bar for Spurs, before Didier Drogba's 20-yard free-kick gave Chelsea the lead with Paul Robinson badly out of position.

Spurs levelled when Wayne Bridge handled in the box and Dimitar Berbatov coolly rolled in the resulting penalty.

Spurs' success - their fourth League Cup win and first since 1999, their last major trophy - means their boss Juande Ramos has still never lost a cup final as a manager after five triumphs in Spain with Sevilla.

It ends Chelsea's quadruple hopes in Avram Grant's first season as Blues boss, though they are still in the hunt for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

But Spurs set their stall out early on and began in a positive fashion in the first League Cup final at the new Wembley.

With only 30 seconds on the clock Juliano Beletti inexplicably gave the ball away to Robbie Keane, the striker racing through and seeing his 20-yard drive deflected wide by John Terry.

Twice in a minute Spurs could have gone in front, first Chimbonda heading a corner on to the bar and then Berbatov heading Keane's cross wide, before Chelsea came back into it.

After Frank Lampard shot off-target and Drogba curled a 25-yard free-kick high and wide, the Blues made a decisive breakthrough.


Didier Zokora tripped Drogba 20 yards out and the Ivorian dusted himself down to curl the resulting free-kick into the bottom left-hand side of Robinson's goal.

Robinson - only recalled to the Spurs team on Thursday for their Uefa Cup tie after a month on the sidelines - was in completely the wrong position and remained rooted to his spot as the ball flew past him.

Spurs tried an immediate reply, but Keane's shot was straight at Cech and then Berbatov slipped as Keane attempted to send him through on goal.

Chelsea, a side well-drilled in the art of defending a one-goal lead, rarely looked like surrendering their advantage - until, halfway through the second half, calamity struck.

Having struggled to make much headway against the Chelsea defence Spurs were gifted a penalty, Bridge bizarrely knocking the ball away with his left hand as he tussled with Aaron Lennon.

Berbatov, keeping his cool, waited for Cech to go left before he rolled the ball into the other side of the goal.

Suddenly Spurs were in the ascendancy and Zokora raced through, only for his first shot to hit Cech on the head and his second slice wide, before Berbatov stung Cech's palms with a fierce drive.

They only had to wait four minutes of extra-time to take a lead they would not relinquish, Cech punching a Jenas free-kick on to Woodgate's head and the ball trickling into an empty net.

Chelsea had to attack but the outstanding Woodgate and Ledley King stood firm, Blues substitute Salomon Kalou and Joe Cole both seeing shots saved by Robinson, but they were nothing more than half-chances.

Spurs deservedly hung on for a famous win and denied their London rivals back-to-back Carling Cup victories in the process.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tottenham: Robinson, Hutton, Woodgate, King, Chimbonda (Huddlestone 61), Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (Tainio 75), Berbatov, Keane (Kaboul 102).
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Bent.
Booked: Zokora, Tainio, Lennon, Jenas.
Goals: Berbatov 70 pen, Woodgate 94.

Chelsea: Cech, Belletti, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Wright-Phillips (Kalou 72), Essien (Ballack 88 ), Lampard, Obi (Joe Cole 98 ), Anelka, Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Alex.
Booked: Obi, Carvalho.
Goals: Drogba 39.

Att: 87,660.
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).


Chelsea 1-2 Tottenham (AET): Fans make their way to Wembley as the Carling Cup final returns to the rebuilt venue


Supporters pack the stadium for only the second London derby final in the history of 48-year-old competition


Spurs make the better start with Dimitar Berbatov among those who miss good chances in the opening 10 minutes


With his team looking second best, Avram Grant shouts instructions to his players as they look to retain the trophy


The sides trade chances until the 38th minute when Didier Drogba beats Paul Robinson with a free-kick from 25 yards


The goal is the fourth scored by the Ivory Coast striker in Carling Cup finals and gives the Blues a boost ahead of the interval


Robbie Keane looks bright and keeps Chelsea captain John Terry and his defensive colleagues busy throughout


Spurs equalise in the 69th minute when Wayne Bridge handles allowing Berbatov to stroke home the resulting penalty


Didier Zokora bursts through late on but sees his initial shot saved before blasting his second attempt over the bar


With the game in extra time, Petr Cech fails to deal with Jermaine Jenas's free-kick and Jonathan Woodgate scores


It is the defender's first since returning to English football in 2006 and comes only weeks after his move to Tottenham

news.bbc.co.uk/sport