Tottenham Hotspur – Chelsea

Captain John Terry and Frank Lampard have both been named in Chelsea's starting line-up for the Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur today.

Spurs skipper Ledley King returns, a month after he featured in the famous victory over Arsenal in his last appearance. Didier Zokora is preferred to Tom Huddlestone in midfield, and Paul Robinson starts in goal as expected.

And we're off...

Crikey! An early chance for Spurs after Carvalho error, Robbie Keane's shot deflected just wide!

From the corner Ledley King had a half chance but Terry bundled him out of the way and wins a goal kick. A bright start!

Chelsea look a little edgy here as Spurs fly out of the traps and a sign of the Blues' wobbly opening is displayed by an errant ball from Essien which runs out of play.

There is a stupendous atmosphere inside Webley, which looks resplendent this afternoon..

Oh dear! Malbranque turned away from Beletti superbly but then overhits a simple ball for Berbatov inside the area. A chance goes begging.

Of course, we shouldn't be surprised at the noise inside the stadium or the fast-paced opening - it is a London derby after all.

Amazingly, Spurs have two players in their back four who have only made a handful of appearances for their new clubs - Woodgate and Hutton.

More decent attacking moves from Spurs as Chimbonda runs at Beletti and wins a corner.

Chimbonda has hit the bar! His looping header took an age to drop and as Mikel leaps to try and clear it cannons back off the bar. Its all Spurs so far.

And now Berbatov has a free header! Great cross from Malbranque and the Bulgarian really should have done better from ten yards out.

Spurs have alreadt chalked up FOUR attempts on goal while Chelsea have barely got out of their own half!

That's more like it from Chelsea, SWP tries to slip in the onrushing Beletti down the right but it is well snuffed out by Jenas.

The game has calmed down after a frantic opening, which Spurs completely dominated.

More signs that Chelsea are waking up as Beletti fashions a shooting chance which hits Drogba, then SWP fires in a dangerous cross which Woodgate clears well.

Anelka looks a bit isolated wide on the left so far. I suppose that's what happens when an oil-rich Russian businessman picks the team rather than a football man.

Spurs look very comfortable in possession - from the back to the front.

A poor touch from Chimbonda lets the full back down as he looked to race into the area.

John Terry looks a bit ring rusty as he brings down Berbatov about 50 yards from goal after the Bulgarian outfoxed him with a sublime touch.

From the free kick Woodgate climbs well to meet it with his big forehead but although he made decent contact the ball flew over the bar.

Tottenham have enjoyed 61% possession so far would you believe? I know.....

Ooh, Zokora gets away with a horribly loose ball that falls straight to Lampard. Zokora manages to win the rebound and snuff out the danger he caused though.

Its all quiet on the Wembley front at present, a succession of throw-ins is enthralling the 90,000 crowd.

The fact things are a little more quiet will suit Chelsea who have recovered from a pretty wayward start. They are beginning to impose themselves now though..

Now Chelsea win their first corner after Woodgate clears an SWP cross.

Drogba is down in the area after leaping high to contest the header. He's rubbing his neck. I'm sure he'll be fine.

Now it is Spurs on the attack, Keane lays off to Malbranque and he busts one left footed that Cech does well to save. Then Cech comes to claim the resulting corner.

At the other end Lampard has a pop from an angle and isn't miles away. Slightly ambitious from the England man.

Well done Didier Zokora - he dispossesses SWP after a Ledley King break from the back had ended prematurely.

Free kick for Chelsea after Woodgate has a little nibble at Drogba. Its central, but about 35 yards out. Good chance to test the nervous Robbo perhaps..

Lampard struck it and Woodgate's heel turns it behind for a corner.

From the corner Hutton clears then Zokora stumbles and crashes into SWP to concede a free kick 20 yards out and central. Good chance for the Blues.

Drogba hits it and although Robinson tried to exude an air of calm, he was beaten if the ball had been a yard nearer the post. Not far off at all.

Now Spurs have a free kick after Aaron Lennon gets involved for the first time this half it seems. King is up from the back.

Jenas sweeps in a cross but it is easily cleared by Mikel and Spurs rebuild from the back.

Now Jenas is lying prostrate after Carvalho crashed into him with his elbow sticking out. Not a nice incident and the Portuguese can count himself lucky no-one saw the mailce intended.

Now, the first yellow card of the afternoon is produced after Zokora bumbled into Drogba, although the striker did his usual swan dive just to make sure the card came out. Free kick, central, 35 yards out. Deja vu anyone?

GOAL! Drogba curls one into the bottom corner, Robinson didn't flinch and we have a Carling Cup final leader! Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham.

Poor old Robbo! He is completely at fault for that. The goal was gaping, the wall was organised wrong, the keeper never moved and for someone with the quality of Drogba it was always going to prove a simple task.

Robbie Keane turns smartly to fire in a decent volley at Cech as Spurs look to hit back instantly but the keeper saves well.

Then Carvalho and Cech confuse each other as a Hutton cross comes in and Mikel has to scramble the ball clear. Game on!

Chelsea's fans are ecstatic - they hardly played for the first half hour but now they lead. And usually, once they lead they go on to win.

Lennon has had a nightmare this afternoon so far - a lovely Keane flick set him away down the left flank but the winger slipped and the chance was gone.

Now Berbatov is slipped in by Keane inside the area but the Bulgarian couldn't set his feet right to get a shot off, eventually slipped and Cech came out to smother the ball.

One minute added at the end of this first half.

Last chance for Spurs as Hutton lumps a free kick into the area but Chelsea clear and that is that. It just goes to show that you can have all the possession in the world but if you don't make it count you stand to be punished. That is exactly what has happened to Spurs. They've been mugged this half but can be satisfied that they are at least playing well. See you in 15 mins....

Right, we're off again. Who will be the team to lift that first major cup of the domestic season?

It will be interesting to see how Spurs will shape up as the half goes on. They played pretty well in the first, it was just a bit of poor goalkeeping admin by the hapless Paul Robinson let them down.

Keane already looks like he's pushing up top a bit more to give Berbatov some support.

Again Chelsea are out of the blocks slowly and look more than a little uncomfortable at the back, Beletti getting in Carvalho's way to clear a cross there.

Great work from Michael Essien to rob Malbranque of the ball. It is only really he, Mikel and Drogba who have looked their normal selves.

Drogba is down in the Spurs box but Tottenham break anyway. Their move ends in a wild strike at goal from Zokora. Drogba is now limping off theatrically the big softy.

Joe Cole is warming up as Drogba gets attention off the field.

Guess what? Drogba is back on, shock horror!

Apologies for the slight gap - we are having a few technical issues at ESPN towers. Nowt much has occurred since we last spoke though.

Chelsea are looking pretty comfortable so far in the second half. Spurs are going to have to up it if they are to get back into the game.

A decent counter there as Spurs committed numbers forward. Drogba's cross was a little high for SWP and Robinson gathers.

Lennon wins a corner after finally getting the ball. Drogab was felled at the start of the move and complains loudly that he should have had a free kick.

Spurs have three good attempts at getting the ball in to Berbatov from the wings but only the last one - delivered by Keane - is of any quality but the Bulgarian can't meetr it properly.

Chimbonda is trooping off shaking his head after his number was called by Ramos. Huddlestone is on in his place.

Not only did Chimbonda take an age to get off the field, he then failed to shake hands with Huddlestone and heads straight down the tunnel. Lovely fella.

Ooh, Ledley King is a lucky boy! His pass back to Robbo is way too short and the tubby stopper has to rush out to clear in front of Drogba.

It is Anelka's turn to sulk now as he charges into the area and fires a shot off Ledley King which Mark Halsey - the ref - somehow deems a goal kick. Crazy.

Now Hutton looks shaky as he dribbles back towards his own goal then gives Woodgate a ball he certainly didn't want. Chelsea throw in.

Lampard and Drogba exhange passes on the box edge but the African's flick is intercepted by Jenas.

PENALTY! The linesman has looked at this one for an age as Huddlestone and Bridge tussled but contact was minimal. Great chance for Spurs!

GOAL! Berbatov scores and it is 1-1!

that was a cool a penalty as you are ever likely to see in a cup final. Berbatov swaggers up tro the ball, lets Cech commit himself and then rolls it the other way. Game well and truly on!

Spurs are bang up for this now and Lennon sets off on a mazy dribble. What a last 20 minutes we have in store here!

Now a Chelsea change - SWP is off and Kalou is on.

As for the pen award, it is a debatable one at best. The ball brushed Bridge's hand twice in fact, but whether it was intentional, or denied Spurs a chance inside the area is very, very questionable.

Now Drogba has a chance! He bullies Woodgate out of the way and his goalbound effort is smartly blocked by Ledley King.

Chelsea again pour forward and Drogba tries to tee up Lampard before Kalou gets in the way and then tries a very bizarre through ball via the medium of an overhead kick.

Anelka has been ppoor today, and can't be excused just because he is out of position. He had a great chance to control and slot in a dangerous cross there but lets the ball slip under his foot. Awful.

Another Spurs switch - Tainio on for Steeeeeeeeeed Malbranque.

Keane loops it a cross but unfortunately for Spurs only Lennon is underneath it. Still, Cech tips behind for a corner, which is cleared by Terry.

Lennon's poor afternoon continues - after having found space for a cross he completely overhits it.

Ten minues to go and Spurs have their tails up. But, they did in the first half and look what happened. Who's going to make themselves a cup final hero in the final ninth of the game I wonder?!

Zokora has missed not one but two GLORIOUS chances to win the game! Clean through he delays his shot for an age, then when the rebound falls to him he blasts it over! Disaster for Spurs and great work from Cech.

Astonishing! Chelsea's defence was static and Zokora had no one near him. No wonder he has never scored for Spurs because he has just royally fluffed the best chance he will ever get to score in a cup final.

More Spurs pressure as first Tainio and then Huddlestone have a go, but both efforts are blocked.

Ooh, Cech saves again, this time from Berbatov! A lovely turn and shot from the frontman inside the area and Cech fists away smartly. Its all Spurs!

Aaron Lennon has been AWFUL! He cuts inside here and ignores a simple square ball to Zokora in favour of a hopeful crossfield punt in the vague direction of Alan Hutton. Pathetic.

What a ball from Essien! He lifts it over Woodgate and Drogba just can't meet it on the half volley ten yards out. Its heart-in-mouth time for both sets of fans!

Michael Ballack is coming on for Essien with extra time looming large.

Ballack's first piece of the action is a shot which deflects off Jenas and trickles wide. Corner.

A spell of Chelsea pressure results in a half chance for Frank Lampard but he can't keep his left footed strike down.

We're entering the final seconds of normal time. Spurs have a fre kick 50 yards from goal.

Huddlestone's free kick is rubbish, and headed clear by Ballack. Three minutes added...

Its pinball football at present as both sides are careful not make a mistake. Having just said that Kalou has given away another free kick.

Jenas sweeps in a decent ball but Beletti clears well. One minute left.

From Huddlestone's long throw Berbatov flicks on and Robbie Keane tries an audacious overhead kick from eight yards out but he can't keep it down. And there it is! Full time at Wembley and it is Chelsea 1-1 Spurs. Stay tuned for extra time...

so, extra time it is. Spurs have been the better team by far but they couldn't turn their dominance into goals. But having been one down they will be happy to have forced an extra 30 minutes. Don't go anywhere as the action is about to restart.

Just to inform you, I will be starting the extra time back on 90 mins. Remeber, 15 minutes each way, then penalties....!! Aarrggghhh!

We're off again....

A few questions for you to ponder as the extra period begins in a somewhat pedestrian manner. Why is Joe Cole still on the bench? And why has Avram Grant persisted for so long with Anelka out wide on the left where he has been completely ineffectual?!

First chance for Spurs as Anelka hauls down Lennon and gives away a needless free kick.

GOAL! Jonathan Woodgate has scored! Jenas' free kick was well delivered and Woodgate's intital header cannons back off Cech, flicks Woody gain and trickles in. Chelsea 1-2 Spurs.

Woodgate looked completely bewildered when the ball went in! He didn't know what to do! He slipped, nearly collided with the post, then set off on a sprint towards the Spurs fans! Incredible.

The ball actually went in off his nose!

Mikel has been carded for getting in Jermaine Jenas' way as the midfielder broke from defence. Jenas is still down clutching his knee.

Spurs have had 15 attempts on goal so far, as opposed to Chelsea's seven, we are reliably informed.

Finally, Joe Cole is coming on, for Mikel.

And with the change Anelka is switched to a forward position. Why it has taken Grant so long only he will know.

Alan Hutton has given away a free kick, hacking down Kalou on the edge of the box on the right wing.

Lampard struck for goal and Robinson tips over. Good effort. Corner.

Lampard's corner is a decent one and Robbo is back to his old ways, flapping at the ball. No-one was around to profit from it however.

Younes Kaboul is coming on for Robbie Keane as Spurs look to shore things up at the back. Keane is getting a standing ovation from the Spurs contingent.

Carbvalho is getting booked, and not before time given his basty elbow at Jenas early in the game. He has piled into Zokora late there.

Berbatov is up front on his own now while Kaboul is playing as a third centre back.

Cole cuts inside and crosses left footed, but the ball is too close to Robinson and he catches cleanly - for once.

What a good challenge from Alan Hutton as Kalou sneaked in behind him! A vital clearance. From the corner a session of head tennies ensues before Mark Halsey blows up for the end of the first period of extra time.

The teams are supposed to change ends straight away but as usaal, they have a drink, a chat, a little ruib down from the physio and amble into position. Fifteen minutes remaing, so the game will finish on 120 minutes!

Chelsea earn themselves a free kick which Robbo flaps at again. He concedes a corner which bobbles out to Joe Cole whose volley is high and wide. Looks like Spurs are content just to sit and soak up Blue pressure.

Lennon is the one who will float up alongside Berbatoc if Spurs look like they can break. Not much chance of that so far though - they need the ball first.

Chelsea are lobbing as many balls as possible into the area and hoping something breaks for them - which it hasn't yet.

Its all hands to the pump for Spurs as you'd expect and Chelsea are trying to find a little bit of space in a penalty area crammed full with about 17 players!

Ooh, I thought Chelsea had been awarded a penalty there but Mark Halsey gives offside before Woodgate wrestled Drogba to the ground! Lucky for the former Boro man.

Great save from Robinson! Kalou cuts inside with a lovely flick and fires one left footed but Robbo shuts his legs just in time! He's come up trumps!

Spurs enjoy a brief spell of possession before Kalou wins it and the Blues pour forward again. Its like the alamo at the moment!

And of course, Spurs are wasting as much time as possible, as Tainio gets booked for delaying a throw in as long as possible.

Drogba gets involved unneccessarily to protest at Tainio's time wasting, but all he is doing is wasting even more time!

Another chance for Chelsea! Ledley King misjudges his leap and ends up flicking on for Joe Cole who can't quite get enough power behind his shot to beat Robbo!

This is nail biting stuff! The Spurs fans are almost weeping with nerves!

Didier Zokora goes to pieces when he is in an opponents half! Breaking from deep, with a host of options he fluffs a simple ball and plays it straight through to Cech. Awful.

Two poor balls from Lampard as everyone is in the box. Its desperate stuff from Spurs.

Corner for Chelsea! 60 seconds left!

Oh no! beletti tries an ambitious effort when he HAd to put a cross in! That could well be it!

Three extra minutes are added! More drama...

This really is last chance saloon for Chelsea, as Lennon is booked for tapping the ball away as Chelsea win a free kick.

Drogba leaps and wins a corner! Berbatov is furious!

Robinson comes to claim the corner and YET AGAIN doesn't get there but Mark Halsey helps him out by awarding a non-existent free kick. Spurs are on the brink!

Good work from Jenas! He heads for the corner and buys some time.

THERE IT IS! SPURS HAVE WON THE CARLING CUP AFTER A TUMULTUOUS FINAL! JUANDE RAMOS HAS HIS FIRST TROPHY!

THE SPURS PLAYERS EMBRACE AS CHELSEA'S PLAYERS SURROUND THE REF! SPURS HAVE THROUGHLY DESERVED THEIR WIN AND THEIR PLAYERS ARE GOING NUTS IN FRONT OF THEIR DELIRIOUS FANS!

ROBBIE KEANE IS PRACTICALLY CRYING!

What a cup final! Spurs were certainly the superior team but Chelsea never gave up, and finished the game very strongly. However, no-one can deny Spurs their victory, and their first piece of silverware for nine years.

Robbie Keane is speechless! "Words can't describe it," he says!

Chelsea are trooping up Wembley's steps to get their runners up medals. Must be an unusual feeling for them I imagine.

Spurs' turn now to climb the stairs and claim their prize - the Carling Cup. Try telling any of their fans it is a worthless trophy!

And there it is! Ledley King and Robbie Keane hoist the cup aloft and Spurs are the deserved winner of the 2008 Carling Cup! Thanks for your company...