A second-half goal from Kanu was enough to send Portsmouth through to their first FA Cup final in 69 years.
Highlights
Ex-West Brom striker Kanu side-footed an easy chance to see off the Baggies after Dean Kiely had denied Milan Baros and Zoltan Gera had failed to clear.
Baros, who looked to have handled in the build-up to the goal, missed a simple chance to seal the win.
They were almost made to pay but Robert Koren's shot hit the bar and Ishmael Miller fired wide late on.
Portsmouth will face the winners of the all-Championship tie between Barnsley and Cardiff on Sunday in the final.
Their win carries on the top flight's run of having a team in every FA Cup final.
Pompey were already odds-on favourites to lift the trophy before the game, but for long periods it was West Brom who looked the better bet for a return to Wembley on 17 May.
Harry Redknapp's south coast side were not at the races during a lacklustre first-half display and it Albion who looked like the Premier League thoroughbreds.
Portsmouth's defensive pair of Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin struggled throughout to deal with veteran forward Kevin Phillips dropping deep.
The former Southampton striker found plenty of space and tested Pompey early on with a long-range shot just over the bar before a neat lay-off that ended with Zoltan Gera causing problems for a fumbling David James with a low shot.
Portsmouth were all at sea going forward, with Baros wasteful and Kanu barely contributing as Redknapp looking increasingly agitated on the sidelines.
They enjoyed their best spell of the first half shortly before the break but Redknapp, on his first appearance in the FA Cup semi-finals and at Wembley as player or manager, would have had strong words at the interval.
There appeared to be little immediate change in Pompey's play, but less than 10 minutes after the break they broke the deadlock.
Glen Johnson played a ball into Baros, who may have controlled the ball with his arm before getting off a shot which Kiely did well to keep out.
However, as Kiely looked to pounce on the loose ball Gera tried to clear and could only steer the ball into the direction of Kanu to slot into the empty net from only a couple of yards out.
It should have been game over as Baros was played in by a slide rule pass from Niko Kranjcar and seemed certain to score, but he made an awful hash of the finish and Kiely produced a desperate save.
The Baggies almost made them pay as the game burst into life in the latter stages.
Carl Hoefkens set up Koren and his shot beat James but smacked the top of the bar.
Moments later substitute Miller got clear on the left and tried to pick out Phillips at the back post, but James anticipated well and plucked his cross out of the air.
There were further worries as Hoefkens set up an onrushing Miller but he side-footed wide and Pompey survived to book their place in the final.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Middlesbrough 0-2 Cardiff 03/09/2008
Goals from Peter Whittingham and Roger Johnson helped Championship side Cardiff dump Premier League strugglers Middlesbrough out of the FA Cup.
Highlights
First Half
Second Half
Boro were poor throughout and were behind on nine minutes when Whittingham curled the ball into the net.
And 13 minutes later, Roger Johnson headed home Whittingham's free-kick to leave Boro with a huge uphill task.
Afonso Alves and Stewart Downing both had half chances for the home side but they rarely threatened.
Boro had made a steady opening to the match but were left furious by the Bluebird's opening goal.
Stephen McPhail appeared to handle in mid-air before it fell to Whittingham.
But nothing was given and Whittingham latched on to the ball inside the box and curled it into the top right hand corner after some brilliant skills to find shooting space.
That lead was doubled on 22 minutes after Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink was fouled 30 yards out by Fabio Rochemback.
Whittingham's resulting free kick found Roger Johnson free at the back post to head across the face of goal and into the net past Mark Schwarzer.
Johnson came close to replicating his goal from the opposite side soon after and Paul Parry drilled an effort just wide as Cardiff controlled the game.
Middlesbrough were finding themselves outfought and outplayed in the first half and were restricted to just the one half-chance.
That came from Afonso Alves who cut inside from the left and curled a shot, but Peter Enckelman was able to parry to safety.
The home side were deservedly booed off at the break, but they came out for the second half looking to claw themselves back into the game.
It did not really have any effect though as Cardiff coped with ease everything they tried to throw at them.
Stewart Downing did see an effort go just wide on the hour after Hasselbaink gave away a free kick just outside the box for handball.
But Boro lacked ideas much to the frustration of the home supporters, some of which decided they had seen enough with 20 minutes still to go.
And they missed nothing as Cardiff held on to continue an extraordinary weekend of shocks in the FA Cup and book their place at Wembley in the semi-final.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Man Utd 0-1Portsmouth 03/08/2008
Final Score: Man Utd 0-1 Portsmouth
Harry Redknapp's FA Cup curse struck Manchester United again as Portsmouth won a dramatic quarter-final clash.
Highlights
First Half
Second Half
Sulley Muntari scored the winner from the spot with 12 minutes left after Milan Baros was upended by United's substitute keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Kuszczak, who replaced Edwin van der Sar at half-time, was sent off and Rio Ferdinand took over in goal.
United went close to scoring, Sylvain Distin denying Michael Carrick on the line and Patrice Evra hitting a post.
The surprise win took Portsmouth back to Wembley for the first time since 1939 for the semi-finals and ended United's hopes of repeating their 1999 treble triumph.
And for Redknapp, who has previosuly knocked United out of the FA Cup with Bournemouth and West Ham, it was a day of triumph.
Paul Scholes, Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves all returned to United's starting line-up after the Champions League victory over Lyon - and they met with stubborn and well-organised Portsmouth resistance.
United were understandably furious after six minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly bundled over by Distin as he raced into the area, but referee Martin Atkinson ignored the appeals, to the clear disgust of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Pompey rarely threatened, but United keeper Van der Sar was in some discomfort as he scrambled to save a long-range shot from Niko Kranjcar.
United missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock after 18 minutes when Tevez and Wayne Rooney led a counter-attack, but the England striker was blocked by keeper David James.
The rebound fell for Tevez, but Glen Johnson made a superb recovery to block his goal-bound effort on the line.
James had been well-protected by his defence, but he needed to be sharp to drop to his right and save a low drive from Tevez.
It had been a very satisfactory first half for Portsmouth, but United had a problem in the interval when keeper Van der Sar withdrew through injury and was replaced by Kuszczak.
Pompey almost came unstuck in a goalmouth scramble after 57 minutes, when Tevez was blocked by defenders on the line and Ronaldo's shot snaked just inches wide.
United were taking control, and Evra should have done better than cross behind Tevez after being put clear into the area by Rooney.
Ferguson made a double change after 67 minutes, sending on Anderson and Carrick for Tevez and Hargreaves.
And Carrick was the central figure in a remarkable escape for Portsmouth three minutes later.
Ronaldo's brilliant back-heel played him into area and a goal looked certain as he rounded James, but Distin made a miraculous recovery to make the clearance.
United were turning up the heat, and James then stretched to make a superb save from Evra, turning his shot on to the post.
After surviving a second-half siege, Portsmouth broke out to take the lead in remarkable circumstances with 12 minutes left.
Kranjcar broke down the right and played in substitute Baros, who was felled by Kuszczak. He was shown the red card by referee Atkinson despite the fact that Rooney and Anderson were patrolling the goal-line.
Ferdinand went in goal as replacement, but he stood no chance as Muntari drilled home home the penalty with the minimum of fuss.
Harry Redknapp's FA Cup curse struck Manchester United again as Portsmouth won a dramatic quarter-final clash.
Highlights
First Half
Second Half
Sulley Muntari scored the winner from the spot with 12 minutes left after Milan Baros was upended by United's substitute keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Kuszczak, who replaced Edwin van der Sar at half-time, was sent off and Rio Ferdinand took over in goal.
United went close to scoring, Sylvain Distin denying Michael Carrick on the line and Patrice Evra hitting a post.
The surprise win took Portsmouth back to Wembley for the first time since 1939 for the semi-finals and ended United's hopes of repeating their 1999 treble triumph.
And for Redknapp, who has previosuly knocked United out of the FA Cup with Bournemouth and West Ham, it was a day of triumph.
Paul Scholes, Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves all returned to United's starting line-up after the Champions League victory over Lyon - and they met with stubborn and well-organised Portsmouth resistance.
United were understandably furious after six minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly bundled over by Distin as he raced into the area, but referee Martin Atkinson ignored the appeals, to the clear disgust of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Pompey rarely threatened, but United keeper Van der Sar was in some discomfort as he scrambled to save a long-range shot from Niko Kranjcar.
United missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock after 18 minutes when Tevez and Wayne Rooney led a counter-attack, but the England striker was blocked by keeper David James.
The rebound fell for Tevez, but Glen Johnson made a superb recovery to block his goal-bound effort on the line.
James had been well-protected by his defence, but he needed to be sharp to drop to his right and save a low drive from Tevez.
It had been a very satisfactory first half for Portsmouth, but United had a problem in the interval when keeper Van der Sar withdrew through injury and was replaced by Kuszczak.
Pompey almost came unstuck in a goalmouth scramble after 57 minutes, when Tevez was blocked by defenders on the line and Ronaldo's shot snaked just inches wide.
United were taking control, and Evra should have done better than cross behind Tevez after being put clear into the area by Rooney.
Ferguson made a double change after 67 minutes, sending on Anderson and Carrick for Tevez and Hargreaves.
And Carrick was the central figure in a remarkable escape for Portsmouth three minutes later.
Ronaldo's brilliant back-heel played him into area and a goal looked certain as he rounded James, but Distin made a miraculous recovery to make the clearance.
United were turning up the heat, and James then stretched to make a superb save from Evra, turning his shot on to the post.
After surviving a second-half siege, Portsmouth broke out to take the lead in remarkable circumstances with 12 minutes left.
Kranjcar broke down the right and played in substitute Baros, who was felled by Kuszczak. He was shown the red card by referee Atkinson despite the fact that Rooney and Anderson were patrolling the goal-line.
Ferdinand went in goal as replacement, but he stood no chance as Muntari drilled home home the penalty with the minimum of fuss.
Barnsley 1-0 Chelsea 03/08/2008
A second-half header from Kayode Odejayi was enough to dump Chelsea out of the FA Cup and take Championship Barnsley into the semi-finals.
Highlights
First Half
Second Half
Odejayi netted the winner from six yards out after connecting with Martin Devaney's superb right-wing cross.
The striker also had a shot saved by Carlo Cudicini, while Istvan Ferenczi struck the post with a half-volley.
Chelsea's best chance fell to Joe Cole who struck his angled shot wide from close range.
The last time Barnsley reached the semi-finals was in 1912 - they went on to win their one and only FA Cup that season.
And if they show the sort desire that has seen them overcome Premier League giants Liverpool and, now, Chelsea then few would bet against them picking up their second title.
The Tykes good play started at the back with Chelsea lone marskman Nicolas Anelka often left redundant by Stephen Foster and Dennis Souza who gradually became adept at forcing the Frenchman out wide.
At the other end, Tykes big man Odejayi was a huge nuisance to Chelsea, using his bulk well while holding and releasing intellingently.
The only concern for the home support was that he had not scored since September, but he came close to ending that barren run during a minute spell that saw Simon Davey's side squander two good opportunities.
The first fell to forward Ferenczi, whose volley rattled the foot of Carlo Cudicini's left-hand upright.
And moments later, Odejayi forced his way into the area but his low angled shot was pushed away by the Chelsea shot-stopper.
Avram Grant's men were limited to half-chances, with Cole twice denied by the impressive Robert Kozluk who got his body in the way on both occasions to prevent the England international from netting.
Straight after the break, Cole was presented with arguably his best opportunity to hand the visitors the lead but once again his nemesis Kozluk did enough to force the midfielder to screw his shot wide from eight yards.
Chelsea cranked up the pressure in the second half, knowing that a replay would not benefit a team still fighting on two other fronts.
But try as hard as they did, the team lacked ideas and even with the introduction of attacking duo Salomon Kalou and Claudio Pizarro they failed to carve open the stubborn Barnsley defence.
And as they pressed forward, space was left at the back. That space was exploited by Devaney on the right wing who delivered a stunning ball to the far post for Odejayi to nod past the hapless Cudicini.
The Barnsley area resembled the Alamo in the final 15 minutes, but somehow the Tykes warriors held firm to book their passage into the last four of the FA Cup.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Middlesbrough Vs Sheff Utd 02/27/2008
Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheff Utd (aet)
Paddy Kenny's own goal six minutes from the end of extra time sank Sheffield United to gift Middlesbrough an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Cardiff.
Highlights
First Half
Extra Time Goal
The Blades' keeper could only turn Mido's shot over the line after his effort had rebounded off an upright.
Boro had dominated a low-key affair, with Brazilian striker Afonso Alves twice forcing Kenny into fine saves.
But the Championship side looked set to take the tie to penalties until Kenny's late stroke of ill-fortune.
Alves was given his first start since his £12.7m move from Heerenveen - and he justified the selection with a lively display.
He should have opened the scoring after eight minutes, but he headed Fabio Rochemback's corner wide of an open goal.
Rochemback then produced a brilliant flick to send in Stewart Downing, but he sent an angled right-foot drive wide as Middlesbrough continued to force the pace.
Alves tried his luck from long range 11 minutes before the interval, and Blades' keeper Kenny was forced to punch away his powerful shot.
The Brazilian turned creator after 42 minutes when he played in Luke Young, but he provided a defender's finish and Kenny saved with comfort.
Sheffield United held Middlesbrough at arm's length in the early stages of the second half, with only Alves threatening to break the deadlock with another shot that Kenny saved low down.
Given Middlesbrough's need for firepower, it was a surprise when Alves was taken off with 18 minutes left and replaced by Tuncay Sanli - a decision that was not well received by the home supporters.
James Beattie had been a peripheral figure, but almost snatched victory for Sheffield United in injury time when presented with a chance at the near post, but he shot wide under pressure from Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer.
It was the last clear chance in normal time, and Downing tested Kenny six minutes into extra time as he forced him to save with his feet - the keeper recovering to save well from Tuncay at his near post.
The game had degenerated into a mediocre affair, but the deadlock was broken in truly bizarre fashion with six minutes remaining.
Mido's shot was deflected on to an upright, but as Kenny tried to retrieve the rebound he could only turn the ball over his own line.
Both sides had chances in a frantic final few minutes, with Sheffield United having strong penalty appeals waved away when Emanuel Pogatetz appeared to handle.
Team News
Middlesbrough are without Jeremie Aliadiere for the FA Cup fifth-round replay with Sheffield United after he failed in his appeal against a ban.
Record signing Afonso Alves could start for the first time while Gary O'Neil is available after illness, but Mohamed Shawky (hamstring) is not match fit.
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell is boosted by the return of Ugo Ehiogu to fitness after a hamstring injury.
Lee Martin is also available after shaking off a rib injury.
About the Match
Sheffield United against Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane ended goalless; the only fifth round tie to require a replay.
Nine of the 731 clubs accepted into the 127th FA Cup are still dreaming of a place in the final at the new Wembley; four from the Premier League, four Championship clubs and one from League One.
The Teessiders and the Blades have appeared in a combined nine domestic semi-finals over 11 years.
Middlesbrough have never won the FA Cup, and face a lower ranked club who've lifted the trophy on four occasions.
Head to Head Details
All competitions
These clubs met in the Premier League last season, when both fixtures were won by the side playing at home. Sheffield United have not won on Teesside since a 1-2 triumph in the Championship on 5 October 1997.
FA Cup
These clubs have only been drawn against each other once previously; the Blades winning a home second round replay 3-0 in 1923 on their way to the semi-finals.
Paddy Kenny's own goal six minutes from the end of extra time sank Sheffield United to gift Middlesbrough an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Cardiff.
Highlights
First Half
Extra Time Goal
The Blades' keeper could only turn Mido's shot over the line after his effort had rebounded off an upright.
Boro had dominated a low-key affair, with Brazilian striker Afonso Alves twice forcing Kenny into fine saves.
But the Championship side looked set to take the tie to penalties until Kenny's late stroke of ill-fortune.
Alves was given his first start since his £12.7m move from Heerenveen - and he justified the selection with a lively display.
He should have opened the scoring after eight minutes, but he headed Fabio Rochemback's corner wide of an open goal.
Rochemback then produced a brilliant flick to send in Stewart Downing, but he sent an angled right-foot drive wide as Middlesbrough continued to force the pace.
Alves tried his luck from long range 11 minutes before the interval, and Blades' keeper Kenny was forced to punch away his powerful shot.
The Brazilian turned creator after 42 minutes when he played in Luke Young, but he provided a defender's finish and Kenny saved with comfort.
Sheffield United held Middlesbrough at arm's length in the early stages of the second half, with only Alves threatening to break the deadlock with another shot that Kenny saved low down.
Given Middlesbrough's need for firepower, it was a surprise when Alves was taken off with 18 minutes left and replaced by Tuncay Sanli - a decision that was not well received by the home supporters.
James Beattie had been a peripheral figure, but almost snatched victory for Sheffield United in injury time when presented with a chance at the near post, but he shot wide under pressure from Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer.
It was the last clear chance in normal time, and Downing tested Kenny six minutes into extra time as he forced him to save with his feet - the keeper recovering to save well from Tuncay at his near post.
The game had degenerated into a mediocre affair, but the deadlock was broken in truly bizarre fashion with six minutes remaining.
Mido's shot was deflected on to an upright, but as Kenny tried to retrieve the rebound he could only turn the ball over his own line.
Both sides had chances in a frantic final few minutes, with Sheffield United having strong penalty appeals waved away when Emanuel Pogatetz appeared to handle.
Team News
Middlesbrough are without Jeremie Aliadiere for the FA Cup fifth-round replay with Sheffield United after he failed in his appeal against a ban.
Record signing Afonso Alves could start for the first time while Gary O'Neil is available after illness, but Mohamed Shawky (hamstring) is not match fit.
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell is boosted by the return of Ugo Ehiogu to fitness after a hamstring injury.
Lee Martin is also available after shaking off a rib injury.
About the Match
Sheffield United against Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane ended goalless; the only fifth round tie to require a replay.
Nine of the 731 clubs accepted into the 127th FA Cup are still dreaming of a place in the final at the new Wembley; four from the Premier League, four Championship clubs and one from League One.
The Teessiders and the Blades have appeared in a combined nine domestic semi-finals over 11 years.
Middlesbrough have never won the FA Cup, and face a lower ranked club who've lifted the trophy on four occasions.
Head to Head Details
All competitions
These clubs met in the Premier League last season, when both fixtures were won by the side playing at home. Sheffield United have not won on Teesside since a 1-2 triumph in the Championship on 5 October 1997.
FA Cup
These clubs have only been drawn against each other once previously; the Blades winning a home second round replay 3-0 in 1923 on their way to the semi-finals.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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.
___________________________________________________
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.
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.
___________________________________________________
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.
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