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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:10 a.m., Sunday, February 24, 2008

Soccer: Tottenham beats Chelsea in League Cup final

By STUART CONDIE
AP Sports Writer

WEMBLEY, England — Tottenham won its first trophy in nine years today, rallying to beat Chelsea 2-1 in extra time in the League Cup final.

Jonathan Woodgate scored the winning goal in the 94th minute. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech saved Woodgate's first header from Jermaine Jenas' free kick, but the ball ricocheted back onto the defender's head and into the empty net.

"I don't really go up for corners but I took a chance and was able to get my head on it and luckily it went in," Woodgate said. "I think we were the best team and hopefully we can push on from this next year."

Didier Drogba gave defending champion Chelsea the lead in the 39th, but Dimitar Berbatov tied the score in the 70th from the penalty spot.

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, recalled to the team this week after a month out, made three key saves after Woodgate's goal to preserve the lead and seal Tottenham's third win over Chelsea in 43 games since 1990.

It was Spurs' fourth League Cup title, moving them into a tie with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest for third on the all-time list.

"I am very happy for all of these fans," said Tottenham manager Juande Ramos, who has now won six trophies in two years with Sevilla and Tottenham. "All of the people, all of the team."

Tottenham created more chances than Chelsea, which is eight places higher in the Premier League and was aiming to become the first team since Forest in 1990 to retain the cup.

In the Premier League, Aston Villa stayed in contention for a spot in next season's Champions League by beating Reading 2-1.

Ashley Young and Marlon Harewood each scored for Villa, which could have added a third but Gareth Barry missed a penalty kick. Nicky Shorey scored in injury time for Reading.

Villa, which is owned by Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner, stayed in sixth place, tied with fourth-place Liverpool and fifth-place Everton with 47 points. The top four finishers enter the Champions League next season.

Blackburn beat Bolton 4-1 with Benni McCarthy scoring two goals, and David Bentley and Morten Gamst Pedersen adding the others.