Birmingham 2-1 Arsenal: Blues for Nervous Gunners as Pressure Takes Toll

Birmingham City beat Arsenal FC 2-1 in the Carling Cup Final to claim their first major trophy since 1963. Obafemi Martins scored the winning goal in the very last minute after a mix up of biblical proportions between Wojciech Szczesny and Lauren Koscielny left the on-loan Rubin Kazan striker with an open goal from just three yards out.

Birmingham had taken a deserved early lead through the towering Nikola Zigic after Szczesny misjudged the flight on a ball, allowing him to steer it home with his head. Robin van Persie, Arsenal's captain for the day, equalised with a stunning volley but the day ultimately belonged to Alex McLeish's Blues, who coped well with the pressure and were the better side on the day.

Tottenham 0-0 Manchester United: Red Devils Win the Carling Cup On Penalties

Manchester United defeated Spurs on penalties in Wembley to claim the seasons first major trophy. Ben Foster turned out to be the hero after a season where his future at Old Trafford was often questioned. In a tactical game where defences dominated chances were at a premium and it came as no surprise to anyone to see the game go into extra time and on to penalties.

The Glory of the FA Cup is Dead and Buried as Teams Prioritise What's Important

Over the last number of years, many news columns have been dedicated to the erosion of the FA Cup. As teams of the highest standard play almost 60 games a season, the FA Cup has often taken on a nuisance value.

As teams challenge for league titles and European titles, the added games that an FA Cup run can bring are being looked at as more and more of a hindrance. But is this right? What motivates teams to turn their back on the oldest knock out competition in the world?

Tottenham Put In a Disgraceful Performance To Scrape Past an Unlucky Burnley

An amazing night at Turfmoor saw Burnley overturn a three-goal deficit to take the game into extra time as Spurs floundered. But just when lady luck was needed most, she turned her back on the Championship side and helped Spurs book an undeserved date against Manchester United in the Carling Cup Final.

Carling Cup: Tottenham 4-2 Liverpool, Lightning Strikes Twice for Harry

Lightning struck twice at White Hart Lane tonight as Spurs beat Liverpool for the second time in ten days thanks to a brace from Roman Pavyluchenko, and another two from Frasier Campbell, who scored his first goals in a Tottenham jersey since his loan move from Champions Manchester United.