GLORY GLORY TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR!

CARLING CUP FINAL Spurs 2 Chelsea 1 (aet)

Team: Robinson, Chimbonda, Woodgate, King, Hutton, Lennon, Malbranque, Zokora, Jenas, Keane, Berbatov Subs used: Kaboul, Tainio, Huddlestone

I can hardly believe it. Spurs have done it. It's about time we won some silverware again; the first time this century and didn't we deserve it?!! It's only been five short months since Juande Ramos took over as manager, and despite the uproar at the time, this is the best thing that could've happened to the club. His record speaks for itself.

I'm absolutely ecstatic. Before the game I was picturing in my mind our boys sitting on the pitch with their hands in their hands and imagining how gutted I would feel - I know I'm pessimistic but you just have to look at Spurs' record against the Blues in recent years; it's bloody dreadful. Thank God I didn't have to go through that. The only sadness I feel is that I wasn't there to savour the glory. I wasn't at the Lane when we last beat Chelsea, and I wasn't there again today (I will really have to bump up those loyalty points coz I don't wanna miss out again).

Well, I guess I should summarise the game. Just 24 seconds into it, a mistake in Chelsea's defence gave Keano a great chance but it deflected for a corner. From that corner, Ledley also had a chance. In fact, Spurs got off to a very bright start and had four efforts on goal in the first ten minutes; Chimbonda hitting the bar from a header and Berba also heading wide. Steed had another shot on 28 minutes which forced a good save from Cech. Tottenham were dominating.
Chelsea didn't have a shot until half an hour gone and were not having any joy at all. However, totally against the run of play, Chelsea took the lead. It came as a result of an accidental foul on Drogba whose time would be better spent in a drama school. He took the free kick and beat Robbo comfortably into the corner of the goal (the side he should've had covered). Again, a lack of judgement on his part. Keane had an immediate chance the other end but shot straight at Cech. This followed quickly by a good run into the box by Berbatov but unfortunately he slipped on what turned out to be a very greasy surface.

All those efforts on goal and nothing to show for it. Usually when Chelsea take the lead they go on to win the game even if they're not playing particularly well. So, it was scary times in the second half. Chelsea certainly upped their pace and Spurs weren't able to keep as much possession. However, in the 69th minute, the referee's assistance quite rightly flagged for a penalty when Bridge handled in the box. As cool as a cucumber, Berba passed the ball into the net, wrong footing the goalkeeper. Ten minutes later, it could've all been wrapped up from a brilliant move involving a pass through the middle from Berba to Zokora (of all people) but he ended up one on one with Cech and made a mess of it, firstly hitting it at the onrushing goalie and from the rebound, putting it over the bar. Never will he have a better chance than that to score his first Spurs goal! Spurs pressed again and again and Berba's beautiful footwork in the box lead to him turning and having a shot right at the end of the 90 minutes, unfortunately straight at Cech.

And so it was extra time. This would indeed be a test of how Spurs' fitness has improved under Ramos. We didn't have to wait very long before Spurs went ahead 2-1 and it was bizarre the way it went in. Woody met a fantastic curling cross from Jenas - the Chelsea defence was nowhere to be seen but Cech came to punch the ball. Lucky for us, Woody's header came off Cech's glove and again ricocheted off Woody's head and bounced over the line (almost in slow motion). Now I was jumping up and down!

Having to defend that lead for 27 minutes was excruciating. What firstly nearly caused me heart failure was Keano being subbed for Kaboul. Does Ramos ever learn? I was in disbelief as if the game went to penalties we'd certainly need him on the pitch. However, I later found out that he felt a slight hamstring strain. Ok, fair enough. Oh but Spurs were really pressed back into their own half after that. Berba up front on his own wasn't working as every time he won a header, there was no-one there to collect it. There were some very hairy moments and I found myself pacing up and down the room; it was unbearable to watch. Robbo redeemed himself and pulled off a couple of great saves. John took my blood pressure in the dying minutes of the game and my pulse rate was 106! It's about the same rate when I run on the treadmill LOL.

Eventually the final whistle came. I have never felt such a huge relief in my life! I dunno what the Chelsea players were complaining about - just because the ref blew just as Kalou took a shot!
He missed anyway. Bad losers. Just accept you were second best on the day.

As I'm typing I'm watching the highlights on Sky and have tears running down my face. Delayed reaction I think. Seeing Ledley our club captain who has been plagued with injuries, lift the cup was a dream come true. I'm also chuffed to bits for Robbie who is Mr Spurs to the core, and who works his socks off game after game. He said he'd been dreaming of moments like this since he was a kid. That's what it's all about: the passion and desire.







GLORY GLORY TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR!