CHELSEA 3-2 LIVERPOOL (2005)
Jose Mourinho’s first trophy in English football came in dramatic – and fortuitous – circumstances at Wembley in 2005. Liverpool were on course to win the competition until Steven Gerrard headed the ball into his own net in the 79th minute, sparking a zealous celebration from Jose Mourinho that saw him sent off by referee Steve Bennett.
Chelsea were dominant in extra time as Didier Drogba and substitute Mateja Kezman scored for the Blues, who held on to win despite Antonio Nunez pulling one back. Three months later Chelsea would lift the Premier League trophy and Liverpool would win the Champions League in Istanbul.
VILLA 3-2 EVERTON (1977)
The only League Cup fixture to be played three times was Aston Villa versus Everton in 1977. Having drawn 0-0 in the initial final the clubs drew 1-1 after extra time in the replay – and then drew again in the second replay. Villa eventually won the match thanks to a Brian Little goal that came just 90 seconds before the final whistle (after yet another extra time).
It took 330 minutes to finally separate the sides. Unsurprisingly, after the match the rules were changed so that all replays were decided by a penalty shootout if level after extra time – making this the last ever tie in English football to be played three times over.
BIRMINGHAM 2-1 ARSENAL (2011)
Alex McLeish’s Birmingham City beat Arsenal in 2011 with an 89th-minute goal from Obafemi Martins in arguably the biggest League Cup shock of the 21st century. The Gunners seemed in control of the tie as they pushed for a winner, only for Martins to score on the counter and stun the Wembley crowd.
Victory felt even sweeter for fans coming six years after a defeat to Liverpool on penalties in 2005. Birmingham went on to be relegated that season and haven’t been back in the top flight since.
SWINDON 3-1 ARSENAL (1969)
The only major trophy in Swindon Town’s history came in 1969 when the third division side beat Arsenal 3-1 on a dreadful Wembley pitch. The Gunners, who had six players suffering from the flu, were well below their best as Swindon deservedly lifted the League Cup.
Roger Smart gave Swindon a first-half lead that was cancelled out by Bobby Gould, before Don Rogers scored twice in extra time to take his place in Swindon folklore.
LUTON 3-2 ARSENAL (1988)
Perhaps the most incredible League Cup final of all was Luton Town’s shock 3-2 win against the then holders Arsenal, particularly given the circumstances as the final whistle approached. George Graham’s side went a goal down before scoring in the 71st and 74th minute to turn the match on its head.
But Luton equalised less than ten minutes later, shortly after Arsenal had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Andy Dibble – undoubtedly the man of the match following the Gunners’ barrage at goal. Brian Stein scored the winner, and his second of the match, in the 90th minute.
QPR 3-2 WEST BROM (1967)
The first ever League Cup final at Wembley was certainly memorable. Third division Queens Park Rangers, two tiers below West Brom, came back from two goals down at half-time to win 3-2, lifting the first major trophy in their history.
Mark Lazarus scored the winning goal with nine minutes remaining to seal one of the biggest upsets in League Cup history.
VILLA 3-1 MAN UNITED (1994)
Aston Villa’s first of two League Cup wins in three years was an impressively comprehensive victory against Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. Ron Atkinson masterminded the win thanks to goals from Dalian Atkinson and Dean Saunders, whose second-half brace included a 91st-minute penalty.
Already at 2-1, the Villa fans knew the cup was theirs as Saunders stepped up to take the spot-kick in front of the claret and blue fans, making it a pressure-free celebratory penalty. Villa beat Leeds United 3-0 in the final in 1996.
SHEFFIELD WEDNEDAY 1-0 MAN UNITED (1991)
The FA Cup holders Man Utd were expected to easily dispatch of second division Sheffield Wednesday in 1991, but the Owls had other ideas. John Sheridan’s first-half strike was the only goal of a scrappy game at Wembley.
It wasn’t a classic to watch, but for Wednesday fans it was a stunning victory that knocked Ferguson’s side back. The likes of Bryan Robson, Paul Ince, and Gary Pallister all started for the Red Devils.
MAN UNITED 3-2 SOUTHAMPTON (2017)
Jose Mourinho became only the third manager to win four League Cups in 2017 when he won silverware with Manchester United. Having used the competition as a springboard to future success during two spells at Chelsea, the 3-2 victory over Southampton set United on their way to Europa League success three months later.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jesse Lingard put United two up before the Saints pulled level via a Manolo Gabbiadini brace. Zlatan struck again in the 87th minute to seal the win.
VILLA 3-0 ROTHERHAM (1961)
The very first League Cup final in 1961 was played over two legs between first division Aston Villa and second division Rotherham, who shocked the Villans by taking a 2-0 lead at Millmoor. But Villa turned it around in the second leg thanks to goals from Alan O’Neill, Harry Burrows, and club legend Peter McParland.
The winner came in extra time, a cruel blow for Rotherham, who haven’t been in a major final since. Villa, on the other hand, have lifted the League Cup five times.
