United deny Tottenham in League Cup shoot-out

Manchester United FC overcame Tottenham Hotspur FC 4-1 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes to win the League Cup for the third time and remain on course for a clean sweep of silverware at home and abroad.

Foster save
Neither side fashioned many chances of note at Wembley Stadium although Aaron Lennon tested United goalkeeper Ben Foster midway through the second half and Cristiano Ronaldo rattled the woodwork in added time. United looked the more likely to find a winner in the additional 30 minutes but it was not to be and so to penalties, where Foster saved Tottenham's first spot-kick from Jamie O'Hara. Both teams then converted their subsequent penalties before Ronaldo scored and David Bentley placed his attempt wide, leaving Anderson to fire past Heurelho Gomes and deny the Londoners the chance to reclaim the trophy they won 12 months ago. United's success means the team which finishes sixth in the Premier League will qualify for the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League.

Away-day woe
Meanwhile, Manchester City FC's miserable away record continued with a 1-0 loss to West Ham United FC. Mark Hughes' team, who reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup on Thursday, have won just once on the road this term and were condemned to their latest reverse by Jack Collison's 71st-minute strike. City remain in mid-table while at the other end, Blackburn Rovers FC moved out of the relegation zone by winning 2-1 at Hull City AFC, who are without a victory in eleven league games.

Gardner's world
Elsewhere, Ricardo Gardner (47) scored the only goal as Bolton Wanderers FC defeated Newcastle United FC at home to climb into tenth place and leave their north-east opponents just two points clear of the relegation zone. Another relegation-threatened side, Stoke City FC, secured an unlikely point at Aston Villa FC by scoring twice in the final two minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw. Glenn Whelan struck in the first minute of added time to lift the Potters on to 26 points − the same as Blackburn and Middlesbrough FC − although they remain in the bottom three.