Cech Howler Hands Spurs Victory as Grant Gets it Wrong – Carling Cup Final Review

Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea (a.e.t.)

In a season that has thus far been punctuated with high-profile goalkeeping errors by English keepers, a glaring mistake from the usually excellent Petr Cech handed Tottenham victory in the Carling Cup final, securing the North Londoners their first major trophy in nine years.

Tottenham came from a goal down after Didier Drogba had given Chelsea a 39th minute lead with a well-placed free-kick and, on the ascendancy after some astute tactical changes by Juande Ramos, their hard work paid off when Wayne Bridge inadvertently handled inside the box and conceded a penalty in the 70th minute. Dimitar Berbatov made no mistake, dispatching coolly from the spot. The game ended level, but in the fourth minute of extra time Spurs took the lead. A Jermaine Jenas free-kick was flapped at miserably by Cech, allowing Jonathan Woodgate to head home the winner and send the Spurs fans delirious. Chelsea pushed forward looking to salvage something from the game, but Tottenham defended resolutely and held out to win the trophy and with it a place in the UEFA Cup next season.

Ultimately, victory was no more than Tottenham deserved. Chelsea were a shadow of their usual self. Often so heartlessly professional once in the lead, the Blues were not at all cohesive as a unit, and questions will no doubt be asked about Avram Grant’s tactics and team selection. His decision to play Nicolas Anelka in a left-sided attacking midfield berth backfired as the Frenchman proved ineffectual, and one of the main pre-match decisions – whether to play Michael Ballack or Frank Lampard, he got wrong. The in-form German was omitted, and Lampard had little impact on the game. While Jose Mourinho’s domestic Cup final record proved immaculate, Grant has failed his first major test as Chelsea boss however the blame does not lay solely with the Israeli manager, as many of his players were poor on the day and did little to deserve the win. John Terry, Michael Essien and many others the Blues have come to rely on for the big occasions were subdued, and by the end it seemed they were resigned to relinquishing their trophy.

Credit must go to Tottenham on this day at Wembley, for they wanted it more. It told in the players’ exertions on the pitch. It told in their tireless work rate, even when a goal down. It told in the look on Dimitar Berbatov’s face after he buried the equalising penalty, the oft-unflappably cool Bulgarian bellowing out a manic cry of determination to the fans with something of a possessed look in his eyes. And it told in Robbie Keane’s tears of joy at the final whistle as he danced around not quite knowing how to celebrate. Juande Ramos also got the major decisions correct. The introduction of Tom Huddlestone as a substitute gave Spurs balance and poise at a crucial time of the game, and the North London outfit were able to successfully nullify Chelsea’s midfield threat. They also defended excellently, with Woodgate and captain Ledley King looking like a very promising partnership in the making, if the pair of them can stay fit for any length of time of course.

Many at Spurs now feel the Carling Cup could prove the beginnings of a period of success for the club with Ramos at the helm, and with the Spanish manager proving his reputation as a master of cup competitions yet again who is to say they cannot go on to bigger things, perhaps starting with the UEFA Cup which continues in March with a last 16 clash against PSV Eindhoven. Either way, their fans’ long wait for a trophy is now at an end.

Avram Grant, Carling Cup Final, Chelsea, Didier Drogba, Dimitar Berbatov, English League Cup, Jonathan Woodgate, Juande Ramos, Tottenham Hotspur