CaughtOffside counts down the best League Cup moments…
The third round of the League Cup got underway earlier tonight, with the competition now beginning to hot up as the Premier League teams involved in European competition play their first games of the tournament.
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There have been plenty of great moments in England’s third most prestigious competition over the years, here are some of our recent favourites:
8) Ben Foster gets the better of Tottenham
Manchester United defeated defending League Cup champions Tottenham in 2009, in what was one of the most forgettable finals of recent years. That is until the penalty shoot-out, when Ben Foster saved penalties from Jamie O’Hara and Davin Bentley. His inspiration – an iPod which he used to watch the Spurs players practice their penalties.
7) Birmingham City shock Arsenal at Wembley
Arsenal’s run of six years without a trophy looked certain to come to an end when they took on Premier League stragglers Birmingham in 2011, even after they went a goal behind through a Nikola Zigic header. Robin van Persie levelled the scores, and with the game looked to be heading towards extra time. That was until a defensive slip allowed Obafemi Martins to net a dramatic late winner.
6) MK Dons put four past Manchester United
This may have only happened earlier this month, but who saw it coming? Louis van Gaal, still without a competitive win as United boss, was surely going to get off the mark against a team two division below his side. But not only did he fail to do so, the four-time winners were embarrassed by the Dons, who scored four excellent goals, and could have had more.
5) Liverpool pushed all the way by Cardiff City
It’s never a dull final when Liverpool are involved. Having already been to penalties in the Champions League (2005) and FA Cup in recent years (2006), it was a case of deja vu for Reds fans as they were taken to spot kicks yet again. It should have been so much simpler for them, having led 2-1 with moments left of extra time – but Ben Turner dramatically found the net in the 118th minute. Despite missing their first two penalties, Liverpool would still emerge as winners.
4) Bradford City make it to the final
Bradford City, of League Two, were appearing in their first major cup final since they won the 1911 FA Cup Final, and were the first fourth-tier side to reach the League Cup final since Rochdale in 1962. Swansea City, of the Premier League, were appearing in their first major English cup final in their 101-year history. While the final was something of a non-event, who can forget Bradford’s run to the final, which included wins over Aston Villa, Arsenal and Wigan Athletic.
3) Northampton beat Liverpool on penalties
It is one of the most humiliating defeats in Liverpool’s history. They went into the third round match as the greatest side in the history of the competition, and yet, they found themselves eliminated by a League Two side at Anfield. The match would go to penalties, and Liverpool fell 4-2. They got eliminated for only the second time in their history of the competition to a side from a lower division.
2) Southend stun Manchester United
It was the year that United won their first Premier League in several years and reached the Champions League semifinal, yet they found themselves humiliated by a Southend side that would later get relegated that season. Southend took an early lead through Freddy Eastwood. United had their opportunities to equalize, but were unable to do so, and Southend advanced onto the next round.
1) Jose Mourinho arrives in English football
It was the first English final for Jose Mourinho, and the former Porto manager left his mark late in regular time. After Steven Gerrard scored an own goal, Mourinho infamously put his finger to his lips to silence the Liverpool fan, which got him sent to the stands. Chelsea continued their momentum in extra time, with both Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman scoring to give Mourinho his first trophy in English football.
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