This is it! The moment we've been waiting for; The League Cup Final. No matter what kind of competition, the final always excite us. Although its not the same as the Champion League final, we still going to enjoy it especially seeing our players lifting the cup. Here's the statistic for both team and how they reach the final: -

Standing United

United - in keeping with their traditional policy of blooding their youngsters - have, for the most part, combined a mixture of youth with fringe players and experience; the likes of Jonny Evans (who has proved a key player when called upon in domestic and continental competition this season) have been selected along with Darron Gibson, Rafael da Silva, John O'Shea, Nani, and Carlos Tevez.

Their first appearance in the competition arrived in the third round, and was more noteworthy for the horrific injury to Rodrigo Possebon, in a tackle by Emmanuel Pogotetz, that prompted Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate to issue a public apology. United though emerged triumphant with a 3-1 scoreline, and the full match report can be found here.

Next up were mega-rich Championship club Queen's Park Rangers, who could only be brushed aside due to a late second-half Carlos Tevez penalty conversion. Arguably the game of the competition arrived in the fifth round when an eight goal thriller was contested between Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, Argentine international Tevez almost single-handedly disposing of the Blue and White halved Lancashire side by finding the net no fewer than four times.

The semi-final pitted Manchester United against Derby County, where a promising young English manager - Nigel Clough - had only recently been installed. Clough watched on in the stands as his Rams provided a shock at Pride Park in the first leg, County marching to a 1-0 victory through Kris Commons' effort. Clough was then present on the touchline for the trip to Old Trafford, but could not prevent a devilishly rampant Red Devils side from booking their place at Wembley with a 4-2 scoreline. Match reports for both legs can be found here, and here.

Hotspur's Hotshots

Tottenham Hotspur also entered the competition in the third round, and brushed aside a troubled Tyneside outfit in Newcastle United with goals from Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and midfielder Jamie O'Hara. High-flying Liverpool then stood in the way of progression to the fifth round, but an unforgiving Hotspur side slayed the Merseysiders with a 4-2 victory.

Hertfordshire-based club Watford awaited Tottenham in the fifth-round, but super-sub Darren Bent sealed a winner after an early Tomas Priskin effort for the Hornets. Full match report is here.

A two-legged January affair with Burnley (who had already inflicted capital punishment by knocking out Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham) awaited Tottenham, and even though they had a three goal cushion from the first leg - a 4-1 win at White Hart Lane - they found Burnley battling back with great spirit at Turf Moor. The Clarets went three goals up to force extra-time, but two late goals from Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe spared Spurs' blushes and broke Burnley supporters' hearts. The first leg report is here, while the second is here.



- Goal.com