Carling Cup Semi Final Highlights

Team News:

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may have to shuffle his defence again for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Saturday at Wembley.

Bacary Sagna remains a doubt due to illness and now Keiran Gibbs is also doubtful with a slight groin problem.

Chelsea skipper John Terry returns after serving a suspension.

Deco has been nursing a hamstring injury but Jose Bosingwa is back in training after recovering from his hamstring problem.

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Man Utd Vs Tottenham - Carling Cup - Final - Highlights

Carling Cup Final 2008 - 2009


Team News

Sir Alex Ferguson has told youngsters Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck they will start Sunday's Carling Cup final.

Rafael Da Silva is out with a fractured ankle but Wayne Rooney should start as he continues to build match fitness.

Tottenham's Robbie Keane, Wilson Palacios, Carlo Cudicini and Pascal Chimbonda are all cup-tied.

Jamie O'Hara (hip) has declared himself fit but on-loan Fraizer Campbell cannot play against his parent club and Ledley King (knee) will have a fitness test.

Ferguson said next Wednesday's Premier League trip to Newcastle is a bigger priority for his side than the Carling Cup final.

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Man Utd Vs Middlesbrough Live Streaming and Highlights

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Angola striker Manucho is set to make his Manchester United debut in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Anderson and Nani will be in the squad, Gary Neville may continue at right-back and Cristiano Ronaldo should feature.

Middlesbrough top scorer Mido is set to miss out with his groin strain and fellow striker Tuncay Sanli (knee) is missing for at least another month.

Jeremie Aliadiere must recover from a kick to his Achilles and midfielder Adam Johnson has an ankle problem.

Arsenal Vs Sheff Utd Highlights

Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"It's a bit of a dilemma, because I've used the cup to get some of the lads fit.

"But with the injuries, numbers are down so my options are limited."

Liverpool Vs Crewe Highlights

Liverpool will hand a debut to Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri for the Carling Cup visit of Crewe.

Fabio Aurelio is still ruled out as he recovers from a calf problem and Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are both likely to be rested.

Crewe boss Steve Holland must check on the fitness of striker Calvin Zola (calf) and midfielder Michael O'Connor (blisters) ahead of the Anfield trip.

Crewe have no other new injury or suspension problems.

Burnley Vs Fulham Highlights

Burnley must decide whether to recall winger Chris Eagles after suspension, while Steve Thompson is cup-tied.

Ade Akinbiyi has a back injury, while left-back Christian Kalvenes is pushing for a recall ahead of Stephen Jordan.

Fulham could make a raft of changes for the trip to Turf Moor and midfielder Leon Andreasen could start after he recovered from a groin strain.

Dickson Etuhu could make his Cottagers debut, while Andrew Johnson may start as he bids for a first Fulham goal.

Stoke Vs Reading Highlights

Carling cup highlights

Michael Tonge and Tom Soares will not be able to make their full Stoke debuts as both are cup-tied for the third round Carling Cup tie against Reading.

Ricardo Fuller may feature, but it will largely be a second-string Stoke side.

Reading boss Steve Coppell may rest most of his first team, so Brynjar Gunnarsson could feature for the first time since January after a knee injury.

Kalifa Cisse will also start but Graeme Murty is still out and Marek Matejovsky (knee) is also missing for the Royals.

Sunderland Vs Northampton Highlights

Carling Cup Highlights

Teemu Tainio is not expected to play for Sunderland as he injured his shoulder at the weekend.

Saturday's goal hero Michael Chopra is struggling with a dead leg and left-back George McCartney is cup-tied.

Northampton will be without on-loan striker Karl Hawley as he is cup-tied, so Leon Constantine could feature.

Captain Chris Doig is definitely out as he struggles to return from a groin injury, while keeper Chris Dunn is sweating on keeping his place.

Watford Vs West Ham Highlights

Watford will be without goalkeeper Mart Poom after a dislocated shoulder and winger Jobi McAnuff, who suffered a back strain at the weekend.

Scott Loach will start in goal and Lionel Ainsworth could come in for McAnuff, but Grzegorz Rasiak is out.

West Ham will rest striker Carlton Cole for the Carling Cup tie at Vicarage Road as he has a slight foot injury.

Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy are both still out so Freddie Sears could play, but Kieron Dyer is not yet ready.

Swansea City Vs Cardiff City Live Streaming and Highlights

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CARLING CUP THIRD ROUND

Venue: Liberty Stadium Date: Tuesday, 23 September Kick-off: 1945 BST.

Swansea City will be without home-grown winger Shaun MacDonald (hamstring) for Tuesday's third-round Carling Cup derby at Liberty Stadium.

There is also an injury doubt over the Swans' defender Marcos Painter (knee) while Darren Pratley should be fit.

The Bluebirds' defender Gabor Gyepes is cup-tied for the first clash between the two clubs in nine years.

Hungarian Gyepes played for previous club Northampton in an earlier round in the competition.

Tottenham Vs Chelsea Carling Cup Final 02/24/2008

Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea (aet)

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

Highlights



a Quick View



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 - means their boss Juande Ramos has still never lost a cup final as 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.

It was a disaster for Robinson - only recalled to the Spurs team on Thursday for their Uefa Cup tie after a month on the sidelines - as he 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-nil 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 Woodgate and Ledley King stood firm, Blues' substitute Salomon Kalou having the best chance only for Robinson to stick out a foot and deny him from 12 yards.

But Spurs hung on and denied their London rivals back-to-back Carling Cup victories in the process.
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Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: Sunday, 24 Feb
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

Team News

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and defender John Terry could miss Sunday's Carling Cup final against Tottenham.

Both players were named in the Blues squad but BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard said: "I'm told the pair are set to be left out again."

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson and midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng are being troubled by hamstring concerns.

But Pascal Chimbonda (knee) should be fit and Ledley King is set to return after a month out with a knee problem.

Skipper Terry, who broke his foot against Arsenal in December, returned to action in the FA Cup win over Huddersfield last Saturday.

Midfielder Lampard also played in that game, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory, but was only brought on towards the end of Tuesday's drab Champions League draw at Olympiakos.

Spurs were also involved in European action this week, hanging on for a 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague on Thursday despite being under pressure in the latter stages.

Keeper Paul Robinson pulled off a couple of good saves after being dropped for the previous 10 matches.

But boss Juande Ramos refused to say afterwards whether he would get the nod at Wembley ahead of Radek Cerny.

King has not played since the semi-final win over Arsenal but he will be in the squad alongside fellow defender Alan Hutton, who was ineligible for the Slavia game.

Team From

Tottenham

Robinson, Cerny, Hutton, Chimbonda, Lee, Gunter, Dawson, King, Woodgate, Rocha, Kaboul, Tainio, O'Hara, Huddlestone, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Lennon, Boateng, Taarabt, Bent, Keane, Berbatov.

Chelsea

Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Terry, Alex, Ben-Haim, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, Sidwell, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, Wright-Phillips, Drogba, Anelka, J Cole, Pizarro, Shevchenko, Kalou, Obi, Makelele.

About the Match

Chelsea and Tottenham contest the 48th League Cup final, and the second successive all-London match-up, after the 2-1 victory by the Stamford Bridge club over Arsenal 12 months ago.

Chelsea are still fighting quadruple honours, and bidding to become the first club to retain the League Cup since Nottingham Forest in 1990.

The trophy has been retained on five occasions; Nottingham Forest achieved it first in 1979, and Liverpool held the silverware for four years from 1981 to 1984.

Tottenham booked their place in this showpiece with a 5-1 win over Arsenal in the second leg of the semi-final. It laid to rest a run of 21 matches without victory over the Gunners. Now the north London survivors have the chance of a League Cup and Uefa Cup double.

Chelsea have won this competition four times; Tottenham three times. Only Liverpool (seven) and Aston Villa (five) exceed that.

Both clubs are making their sixth appearances in the final; only Leicester (10), Aston Villa (seven), and Arsenal, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest (six each already) have appeared in more.

Spurs will wear all white, and Chelsea all blue in the first Carling Cup final to be staged at the new Wembley.

The League ladder

Arsenal lead the Premier League table; Tottenham are the leading club in the bottom half, at 11th. Chelsea is 3rd in the table now.

Head to Head Details

All competitions

Chelsea have won the last three league and cup meetings, including the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge 2-0 on 12 January, when Juliano Belletti and Shaun Wright-Phillips scored in each half.

League Cup

This is the fourth time these clubs have been paired together. Chelsea won the first over two legs in the 1971-72 semi-finals, and Spurs reversed the honours in the last four six years ago.

Everton Vs Chelsea 23/01/2008

Everton 0-1 Chelsea
(Chelsea win 3-1 on aggregate)

Chelsea secured a Carling Cup final meeting with Tottenham thanks to a Joe Cole strike that saw off the challenge of Everton at Goodison Park.



Cole scored the only goal of the game when he controlled Florent Malouda's raking ball and sent his half-volley past goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Chelsea also went close through striker Nicolas Anelka who hit the crossbar.

Everton's best chances came from the boots of Phil Neville and Phil Jagielka whose shots were saved by Petr Cech.

With Everton having not beaten their opposition since November 2000 in any competition, the omens were not good for David Moyes' side.

But ask Moyes what omens mean to him and you would probably get short shrift.

The Toffees played well at Stamford Bridge and were unlucky to be 2-1 down on aggegate going into the second leg.

And in the opening moments of the first half they resumed where they left off two weeks ago, dominating possession and flinging in balls, primarily from the boot of Neville, into the area.

If it was not Neville keeping the cup holders on their toes it was Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta, who managed to thread balls into the 18-yard box despite being surrounded by two or three defenders.

But Avram's Grant's Chelsea is similar to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea - tight at the back - and the recipients inside the area, Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson, were kept quiet for most of the match.

The second stingiest defence in the league coped brilliantly with what came into the danger zone and the only time Ricardo Carvalho and his backline were found wanting was when Joloen Lescott was allowed a free header from 12 yards, which Cech saved low.

Cech, whose wife gave birth to their first child earlier in the day, had little else to do in the first 45 minutes, but neither did opposite number Howard.

The American was called into action only once during the same period when he crouched down to save an Anelka shot from 14 yards.

The French striker, who ambled with intent, went a lot closer straight after the restart when his curling shot rebounded off the crossbar from 18 yards after a good hold-and-pass from Cole.

The scare served as a reminder to Everton that they could not afford to lose concentration and they also needed to improve their ideas at the other end.

Neville took it upon himself to haul Everton back into the match, but his charge and vicious shot was well saved by Cech.

The Czech keeper had only just dusted himself off before going down again to deflect away a Jagielka flick.

Had they scored, the game would have taken on a different tone, but instead Chelsea went up the other end and all but secured their place at Wembley thanks to a sublime finish from Cole.

The England midfielder's one touch and half-volley from Malouda's searching ball gave Howard no chance.
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Team News

Everton will give late tests to Andrew Johnson, Tony Hibbert and Manuel Fernandes as they seek to overturn a 2-1 Carling Cup semi-final deficit.

Leon Osman has recovered from a broken foot and may return but Leighton Baines is still out with a hamstring injury.

Frank Lampard has joined skipper John Terry and striker Andriy Shevchenko on Chelsea's injury-list after aggravating his thigh problem in training.

Shaun Wright-Phillips could be in the squad despite a slight ankle problem.

Team From

Everton

Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Stubbs, Lescott, Jagielka, Valente, Carsley, Arteta, Cahill, Osman, Vaughan, Anichebe, Johnson, Fernandes, Wessels.

Chelsea

Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, Ben-Haim, Carvalho, Alex, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Makelele, Sidwell, Malouda, Anelka, Pizarro, Wright-Phillips, Sinclair, Ballack, Ivanovic.

Tottenham Vs Arsenal 22/01/2008

Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal
(Spurs win 6-2 on aggregate)

A pulsating Tottenham performance saw them run riot against Arsenal to book a place in the Carling Cup final.

Highlights (First 4 Goals only)




Full highlights



Spurs got off to the perfect start when Jermaine Jenas angled in a shot to put them 2-1 ahead on aggregate.

Arsenal's Nicolas Bendtner then headed into his own net before Robbie Keane's 18-yard shot put Spurs 3-0 up.

Aaron Lennon sidefooted in for Spurs before Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a consolation for Arsenal but Steed Malbranque's strike completed the rout.

Tottenham had been left rueing a late Arsenal equaliser in the first leg and they also had the psychological baggage of not having beaten their arch rivals since November 1999.

But with home advantage and Arsenal's penchant for fielding fringe players in the Carling Cup, Spurs scented victory and they grabbed an early lead.

Jenas was allowed time and space to drive a shot across goal and the ball went in off the post after three minutes.

Spurs gave Arsenal's defence no respite with their fluent and attacking football as they took a stranglehold on the match.

The Gunners were also starved of possession in attack and they rarely looked like levelling, due to a mixture of poor play and a determined White Hart Lane side.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had kept faith with most of his second string for the game but drafted in a handful of first-team regulars in centre-back William Gallas, right-back Bacary Sagna and playmaker Alexander Hleb.

But the trio struggled to help their side break Spurs's grip and even the introduction of Cesc Fabregas for the injured Denilson did not help the visitors.

Instead, Bendtner's own goal added to the home side's lead after he headed in as he went up with Michael Dawson to meet a Jenas free-kick.

Arsenal were rattled and on the backfoot and Dimitar Berbatov should have inflicted another bodyblow to the visitors when he was clean through, only to hit the post with his shot.

Jenas poked into the side-netting just before the break but Spurs did not have long to wait for a third.

Lennon's delightful ball with the outside of his right foot sent Keane through to score with a shot which appeared to catch Fabianski by surprise and one he should have saved.

Almost immediately, Bendtner looked set to give Arsenal a lifeline, only to see his strike bounce the wrong side of the goal-line after hitting the underside of the crossbar.

It got worse for Arsenal when Lennon slotted in on the hour mark as Spurs threatened to run riot.

Adebayor's 20-yard strike was too late to give Arsenal a way back into the game and their frustration boiled over when Bendtner appeared to argue with his team-mate and goalscorer before exchanging angry words with Gallas.

Malbranque compounded Arsenal's misery as Juande Ramos secured a place in the Carling Cup final on 24 February in his first season in charge.


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Team News

Tottenham midfielder Steed Malbranque returns from suspension for the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

Defender Ledley King was rested at the weekend to protect his knee and could return but Chris Gunter is cup-tied.

Arsenal captain William Gallas could partner either Justin Hoyte or Gilberto at centre-back as Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos are both ruled out.

Robin van Persie is not fit but Theo Walcott is set to return for Arsenal, who were held 1-1 in the first leg.


Tottenham

Cerny, Robinson, Chimbonda, Lee, Stalteri, Dawson, King, Kaboul, Rocha, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Jenas, Boateng, O'Hara, Tainio, Lennon, Berbatov, Defoe, Keane, Rose, Taarabt.

Arsenal

Fabianski, J Hoyte, Gallas, Senderos, Traore, Diaby, Denilson, Gilberto, Eduardo, Walcott, Bendtner, Mannone, Sagna, Rosicky, Randall, Gibbs, Lansbury, G Hoyte.

Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham, 09/01/2008 Carling Cup

Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham

Theo Walcott scored a lucky equaliser as Arsenal held Tottenham in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

The ball rebounded off Walcott's body following Young-Pyo Lee's tackle and looped over Spurs keeper Radek Cerny.

Jermaine Jenas had put Tottenham in front, slotting home into virtually an empty net after Robbie Keane selflessly played him in with a square ball.

Spurs were the better side and Lukasz Fabianski made several good saves while Steed Malbranque missed from 14 yards.

It was a tough break for Spurs when Walcott equalised after the visiting team had created most of the decent openings.

Even so, Spurs might still have won the tie but substitute Jermain Defoe smashed the ball wide after Aaron Lennon played him in.

The result means that Tottenham's long wait for a victory over their north London rivals continues - their last came in November 1999 - but it leaves them well placed in the tie with the next leg at White Hart Lane.

In truth, it was a below-par performance by an Arsenal team comprised of a sprinkling of first-team regulars and talented youngsters.

The smooth, incisive football for which Arsene Wenger's team are so often heralded was largely absent on an evening when Tottenham seemed more fluid and dangerous in possession.

But the Gunners demonstrated the resilience that has ensured they have remained unbeaten at home all season by finding what appeared to be an unlikely equaliser.

Arsenal had fashioned the first real opening, with Radek Cerny, preferred in goal to Paul Robinson, making an athletic save to parry a header from Nicklas Bendtner.

But Tottenham had shown early signs that they could unlock the Arsenal defence and created several good chances before taking the lead.

Jamie O'Hara struck a free-kick narrowly wide, Malbranque shot wide from 14 yards and then missed the target with a header while the sublime Dimitar Berbatov, at the heart of so many impressive moves, forced Fabianski into a decent stop with a low-range strike.

Malbranque's first chance in particular was an excellent opportunity from which he should have scored.

The ball broke to him after Keane was dispossessed and the French midfielder had time to pick his spot but instead drilled the ball wide.

Tottenham scored the goal that their superiority deserved after 37 minutes when Berbatov played Keane through down the left and the striker passed for Jenas to tap home.

Jenas had another strike on target before a half-time break that must have been more welcome for the home team than Tottenham.

The visitors continued to hold a good shape after the interval and might have been gifted a second goal when Fabianski spilled a corner but thankfully for him the ball fell to one of his team-mates.

Keane drilled a shot wide as Tottenham pushed for a second.

The midfield became increasingly congested as Arsenal came back into the match and, after a relatively open first hour, decent openings were at a premium.

But Walcott scored his team's goal in front of watching England coach Fabio Capello after collecting Eduardo's though ball.

Replays suggested the ball hit Walcott on the hand but it all happened so quickly it would have been harsh to penalise the Arsenal forward.

Chelsea 2-1 Everton, Carling Cup 08/01/2008

Chelsea 2-1 Everton

Everton defender Joleon Lescott scored an injury-time own goal to hand Chelsea the advantage after the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

Lescott headed the ball into his own net as Shaun Wright-Phillips closed in.

The Chelsea winger had opened the scoring with a curling strike before Jon Mikel Obi was dismissed following a sliding tackle on Phil Neville.

Yakubu then equalised with a brilliant shot on the turn while James McFadden hit the post for Everton.

Chelsea were the better team for large phases of the match but, once Yakubu equalised shortly after Mikel's 64th-minute dismissal, Everton looked the team most likely to win a pulsating tie.

And even after Lescott, under pressure from the impressive Wright-Phillips, had put the ball into his own net Everton might have grabbed a second equaliser.

Lescott found himself through on goal and with a chance to almost immediately atone for his error but a heavy touch at a crucial moment saw the ball run away from him and Hilario was able to gather.

It was a far cry from the opening half, which Chelsea went on to dominate after Wright-Phillips struck with 25 minutes played.

Lee Carsley allowed Wright-Phillips to drift into the Everton area and the Chelsea winger turned sharply before finishing brilliantly after collecting a pass from Florent Malouda.

Everton all too often gave Chelsea too much time and space and Joe Cole almost scored after eluding Phil Jagielka before bursting through on goal.

Cole saw his shot smothered by Tim Howard but referee Peter Walton, having initially played an advantage, awarded Chelsea a free-kick for Jagielka's challenge and Michael Ballack missed by inches with a fizzing strike.

Everton looked relieved to reach the break without conceding again but Wright-Phillips was once more gifted far too much space a minute into the second half and forced another save from Howard.

Chelsea seemed intent on trying to establish a decisive first-leg advantage but their attacking ambitions were undermined when Mikel was dismissed for his tackle on Neville.

The Nigerian appeared intent on trying to win the ball but his studs were showing and Walton had no hesitation in dismissing the player.

Despite the sending-off Chelsea still managed to fashion a great opening but Claudio Pizarro, after collecting Wright-Phillips's superb through ball, failed to connect cleanly and within minutes Everton were level.

Yakubu, mostly absent for the first 64 minutes of the tie, brilliantly equalised after Joseph Yobo had hooked McFadden's free-kick back into the danger zone.

McFadden then hit the post from the tightest of angles after a mazy run down the left as Everton suddenly started to dominate.

But Lescott put the ball in his own net after he was caught stationary by Wright-Phillips at the far post.