Spurs see off Blues to lift Carling Cup

The Lilywhites became the first side to lift the Carling Cup at the new Wembley.

Jonathan Woodgate struck an extra-time winner to complete a fine comeback.

Chelsea had gone in at the break ahead through Didier Drogba, but Dimitar Berbatov equalised from the penalty spot, before Woodgate, a central defender, popped up to become the unlikely hero.

It was no more than Spurs deserved. They were the more positive side from the off and created most of the chances, in what was a cracking cup final.

After much media speculation this week, there was a starting place for Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson, Radek Cerny having to settle for a spot on the bench, while captain Ledley King was deemed fit enough to lead out the side, and eventually lift the trophy.

For the Blues, England internationals John Terry and Frank Lampard were also given the nod.

Spurs were almost gifted the perfect start after just 20 seconds. A sloppy Juliano Belletti pass went straight to Robbie Keane, but his shot from just outside the box was deflected wide. From the corner, King fired over from close range under pressure.

It was a confident start from the Lilywhites, with Chelsea pinned in their own half.

On nine minutes, an Aaron Lennon corner was met at the far post by Pascal Chimbonda, but his looping header came back off the bar. Dimitar Berbatov then saw a glancing header finish just the wrong side of the post.

Spurs were really up for it, Jonathan Woodgate next to try his luck, the defender failing to keep a header down from a Jermaine Jenas free-kick.

Chelsea looked content to soak it all up and barely ventured out of their own half in the game's opening half-hour.

Petr Cech had to scramble a Steed Malbranque effort round the post on 27 minutes, before the West London outfit finally registered a shot, Lampard driving wide from distance.

Didier Drogba was much closer with a curling free-kick, the ball flashing just past Robinson's left-hand post. It proved to be a warning of what was to follow some five minutes later.

After a bright first half-hour, Tottenham lost their way a little as the interval loomed, and Drogba made them pay with a precision free-kick on 39 minutes, the Chelsea striker curling the ball into the corner past a static Robinson. It was a brilliant finish and there was little the Spurs keeper could do.

The Lilywhites almost responded instantly, but Keane's shot on the turn was straight at Cech.

There were calls for a penalty after Berbatov tussled with Michael Essien, but the referee was right in allowing play to continue.

Though Spurs had done most of the running, they went in at the break behind, one moment of pure quality their undoing.

The second half started with neither side able to stamp their authority, and there were no chances in the opening stages.

On the hour, a King back pass was almost seized upon by Shaun Wright-Phillips, but Robinson was out quickly to avert the danger.

Tottenham were struggling to recapture the form they showed in the first half, with the Blues looking comfortable at the back.

But, midway through the half, Wayne Bridge was judged to have handled as he challenged sub Tom Huddlestone in the area, the assistant referee spotting the offence.

Berbatov stepped up to the spot and coolly sent Cech the wrong way to bring the Lilywhites level.

The equaliser gave the game the lift it needed.

With ten minutes to go, Keane put Didier Zakora clean through, but Cech was out to block and the former thumped the rebound wide with just a couple of Chelsea players on the line to beat. It was a glorious chance.

Berbatov then saw Cech parry a shot on the turn, as Tottenham pressed for a winner.

At the other end, Lampard fired well wide under pressure.

The final chance of the 90 minutes fell to Keane, but his overhead kick following a Huddlestone long throw into the box was well over.

Spurs took just four minutes of extra time to strike. A Jenas free-kick was met by the head of Woodgate, with Cech only pushing the ball against the defender's head again, with the result that it went back over him and into the empty net. It was a scrappy goal, but the Tottenham fans were not complaining.

The Blues looked to respond, and Robinson did well to push over a Lampard free-kick at the other end.

As the first half of extra time came to an end, Spurs boss Juande Ramos threw on defender Younes Kaboul for striker Keane, the Spaniard looking to shut up shop.

Chelsea started the second period on the attack, with Joe Cole failing to keep down a drive from the angle of the box.

It was now just a question of whether Spurs could hold on.

With seven minutes to go, Robinson pulled off a fine stop with his boot to keep out a low Salomon Kalou shot. The keeper then made a routine save to deny Cole, who failed to get any power on his volley.

Despite three nervous minutes of stoppage time, Spurs held on to claim a memorable victory.

SPURS: Robinson; Hutton, Woodgate, King, Chimbonda (Huddlestone 60); Lennon, Jenas, Zakora, Malbranque (Tainio 75); Berbatov, Keane (Kaboul 102). Subs: Cerny, Bent.

CHELSEA: Cech; Belletti, Terry, Carvalho, Bridge; Wright-Phillips (Kalou 72), Lampard, Essien (Ballack 87), Mikel (J Cole 98); Anelka, Drogba. Subs: Cudicini, Alex.

Attendance: 87,660.