Ten Best Wembley League Cup Finals
Wembley has been hosting League Cup Finals since 1967 and over the years there have been some cracking matches full of goals and drama. To get you in the mood for the 2013 final between Swansea City and Bradford City, we look back at the ten best Wembley League Cup Finals.
1967 - QPR 3-2 WBA
The first League Cup final at Wembley saw Third Division QPR take on holders and firm favourites West Brom. Everything looked to be going according to plan for Albion with two first-half goals from Clive Clark. But Rangers produced a stunning second-half comeback with goals from Roger Morgan, Rodney Marsh and Mark Lazarus respectively.
1969 - Swindon 3-1 Arsenal (AET)
Few gave Third Division Swindon a chance against the mighty Arsenal, but the Robins turned the form book upside down with a remarkable 3-1 win. Roger Smart put Swindon in front, only for Bobby Gould to level for the Gunners with just four minutes remaining. Swindon dominated extra time with Don Rogers netting twice to take the trophy back to Wiltshire.
1972 - Stoke 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea went into the match as strong favourites, whereas Stoke were attempting to win their first major trophy. Terry Conroy put the Potters ahead early on but Chelsea hit back through Peter Osgood just before half time. However, Stoke got the decisive goal from veteran George Eastham in the 73rd minute to end their 109 year wait for a major honour.
1976 – Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Peter Barnes gave City an 11th-minute lead, but Alan Gowling's strike ten minutes before half time levelled the scores. One minute into the second half, Dennis Tueart scored a brilliant overhead kick to win the cup for City. In 2010, fans voted this goal the greatest moment in League Cup history.
1979 - Nottingham Forest 3-2 Southampton
Dave Peach gave Southampton the lead after 16 minutes, but Forest hit back in the second half with a brace from Garry Birtles and a third from Tony Woodcock. Nick Holmes' 88th minute strike jangled Forest nerves, but Brian Clough's men held on.
1982 - Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham (AET)
Spurs had led for most of the match after Steve Archibald opened the scoring in the 11th minute and appeared to be toasting their victory when Liverpool’s Ronnie Whelan equalised in the dying minutes. Liverpool grew stronger in extra time and scored two more goals through Whelan and Ian Rush.
1988 - Luton 3-2 Arsenal
Brian Stein gave Luton the lead, but two Arsenal goals in three second-half minutes from Martin Hayes and Alan Smith looked to have put the Hatters in their place. However, Luton came back strongly and equalised with eight minutes remaining through Danny Wilson. Just as the match looked set for extra time, Stein scored in the final minute to give Luton a moment to remember forever.
1994 - Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United
Aston Villa boss Ron Atkinson got his tactics spot on to frustrate his former club. Packing the midfield with five players, Villa frustrated United with a fast counter-attacking game. After 75 minutes Villa led 2-0 through Dalian Atkinson and Dean Saunders and looked home and hosed. However, Mark Hughes pulled one back with seven minutes left to set up a grand finale. United had their chances to equalise but Dean Saunders finally secured a famous victory in the last minute with a penalty.
2008 – Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea (AET)
This London derby was the first League Cup final held at the new Wembley stadium and the two sides produced a memorable match. Chelsea led through Didier Drogba's superbly-struck 37th-minute free kick but Spurs levelled when Dimitar Berbatov coolly rolled in a penalty after Wayne Bridge handled in the box. Jonathan Woodgate scored the winning goal in extra time after Petr Cech disastrously punched the ball on to his head from a free-kick.
2012 - Liverpool 1-1 Cardiff City (Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties)
Cardiff took a shock early lead after through Joe Mason, but Martin Škrtel levelled on the hour. Both sides had plenty of chances to score again in normal time but the match went to extra time. Dirk Kuyt then looked to have won the trophy for Liverpool, but Cardiff City took the match to penalties after a goal from Ben Turner with only two minutes remaining. Despite missing their first two penalties Liverpool won the shoot-out 3-2.