United lift Carling Cup after penalty drama
Ben Foster saved Jamie O'Hara's penalty to help United to victory
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Sunday, 01, Mar 2009 09:50
Manchester United have won the Carling Cup after beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on penalties at Wembley.
The game finished goalless after 120 minutes, leaving Ben Foster to be the hero as he saved Jamie O'Hara's penalty before David Bentley dragged his spot-kick wide.
Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored their penalties before Anderson netted the decider - giving United their second trophy of the season.
Sir Alex Ferguson left Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov out of the squad, while Spurs brought in the players who were rested for the Uefa Cup game on Thursday.
And it was United's blend of youth and experience that flourished in the opening exchanges with Cristiano Ronaldo lashing a free-kick over while Darron Gibson's long range pile-driver went agonisingly over.
Spurs' defence continued to be run ragged with Nani cutting inside and having a shot pushed around the post by Heurelho Gomes while Rio Ferdinand volleyed over.
The holders slowly came into the game with Darren Bent's deflected shot saved by Foster while the United keeper's blushes were spared when he unnecessarily raced off his line - only a crucial Ferdinand intervention stopping Roman Pavlyuchenko from pouncing.
The Russian was presented with another chance minutes later from Aaron Lennon's cross but headed wide.
The second half was marred by controversy with John O'Shea fortunate not to be shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Luka Modric.
Referee Chris Foy then infuriated United when he booked Ronaldo for diving, when replays showed the winger should have been awarded a penalty for Ledley King's challenge on him.
Both sides came close to snatching a goal with substitute Anderson's drive saved by Gomes, while Foster produced a stunning block to keep out Lennon's effort.
United wasted another chance late on - Ronaldo hitting the post with Nani side-footing the rebound wide, which forced extra time.
The European champions dominated extra time with Carlos Tevez going close with a header before blazing a shot over.
In the eventual shootout, Spurs were immediately on the back-foot when the first spot-kick by O'Hara was saved by Foster.
Despite Vedran Corluka scoring, Bentley then sent his woeful penalty wide to leave the north London club trailing 3-1.
And Brazilian youngster Anderson stepped up to score the winning spot-kick - wrestling the trophy away from the holders.