Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Jonathan Woodgate gave Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 victory in the Carling Cup final at Wembley and kept alive their manager, Juande Ramos’s, amazing record in cup competitions.

Spurs had been trailing to a Didier Drogba free-kick just before half-time, but Berbatov equalised from the penalty spot after 70 minutes and Woodgate, somewhat fortuitously, headed the winner three minutes into the first extra period.

Victory gave Tottenham their fourth triumph in the league cup but first piece of silverware since 1998-99. Such honours are commonplace, however, for Ramos: it was the sixth knockout trophy won within the past 21 months by Ramos, who was formerly in charge at Seville.

“I am happy because the people (fans) are very happy,” the Spaniard said.

Woodgate added: “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 it. I think we were the best team and hopefully we can push on from this next year."

Spurs showed admirable spirit to fight their way back into the match, but they were gifted their equaliser 20 minutes from time. Wayne Bridge and Aaron Lennon contested a cross from the left and the Chelsea player, under pressure, diverted the ball from danger with his left hand. Much to Chelsea’s indignation – John Terry leading the protests, the linesman awarded a penalty. Berbatov was the picture of coolness, waiting for Cech to dive before caressing the ball into the opposite corner.

Tottenham were looking the stronger in the closing stages and missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead ten minutes from time.

Zokora played the ball to Keane who lobbed a perfectly-weighted return ball over the defence for the midfielder, who then had a clear run in on goal. Cech kept out the initial, fiercely-struck effort with his face and Zokora blasted the rebound over the bar.

Cech then made another fine reaction save to parry away a powerfully-hit shot from Berbatov after Lennon had found the Bulgarian with space on the edge of the area.

The winner came three minutes into the first period of extra time. Jermaine Jenas floated a ball into the penalty area, Cech came out to punch, but the ball cannoned against the oblivious Jonathan Woodgate and rebounded into the net.

Finding themselves behind finally galvanised Chelsea into action and Paul Robinson made a smart save at his near post to beat away a Lampard free-kick from the right side of the penalty area.

Robinson then made a brilliant save with his feet to deny Salomon Kalou to earn his side victory and vindicate his selection ahead of Radek Cerny for this match.

After giving away a series of free-kicks in dangerous positions just outside their own penalty area, Tottenham were finally made to pay six minutes before the interval. Zokora presented Drogba with a chance some 25 yards from goal and the Ivory Coast striker totally wrong-footed Paul Robinson with a free-kick curled around the right edge of the wall and just inside the post.

Finding themselves in arrears at the break was more than a little harsh on Tottenham. Terry – who, alongside Frank Lampard, had been recalled to the Chelsea starting line-up by Avram Grant, the manager - was immediately in the action as Juliano Belletti lost the ball 20 seconds from kick-off and the Chelsea captain was called upon to block Robbie Keane’s shot from the edge of the area.

From the corner, King almost hooked in from Dimitar Berbatov’s cross but the effort went over the bar.

Tottenham struck the crossbar in the ninth minute when Pascal Chimbonda looped a header towards goal from Aaron Lennon’s corner, then Berbatov headed wide in the next move.

At the other end, Drogba had almost set Shaun Wright-Phillips away down the right flank but his pass bounced over the winger.

Woodgate then cleared a dangerous cross from Wright-Phillips before venturing into the opposition penalty area and heading over the crossbar from Jermaine Jenas’s free-kick.

Petr Cech made a sharp save at his near post from Steed Malbranque after Keane had appeared to use his hand to control on the edge of the area in the build-up.

Lampard also had a free-kick deflected over by Woodgate, then Drogba had an effort with another set-piece that went wide after Zokora had clumsily fouled Wright-Phillips, before Drogba finally got his range to make Spurs pay for their indiscretions on the edge of their own penalty area.

Ramos's silver streak

UEFA CUP, MAY 2006
Sevilla 4 Middlesbrough 0 Luis Fabiano put Sevilla in front and Boro were swamped by a late flurry led by Freddie Kanoute

EUROPEAN SUPER CUP, AUGUST 2006
Sevilla 3 Barcelona 0 Sevilla made the European champions look lethargic with ex-Spurs striker Kanoute again on target

UEFA CUP, MAY 2007
Sevilla 2 Espanyol 2 (Sevilla 3-1 on pens) Espanyol twice equalised, but Sevilla held their nerve in the penalty shootout

COPA DEL REY, JUNE 2007
Sevilla 1 Getafe 0 Kanoute’s early goal proved enough to see off Getafe in the Spanish Cup final at the Bernabeu

SPANISH SUPER CUP, AUGUST 2007
Sevilla beat Real Madrid 6-3 on agg Real started the home leg only 1-0 down but cup star Kanoute hit three in a 5-3 win in Madrid

CARLING CUP, FEBRUARY 2008
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Chelsea 1 Spurs come from a goal down to beat Chelsea with strikes from Dimitia Berbatov and Jonathan Woodgate

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