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· See the current injury list for all Premiership Teams
Spurs Full Cup Record against Chelsea
FA Cup
SEASON RD H/A Score SCORERS
09-10 2 A 1-0 Humphreys
56-57 4 H 4-0 Harmer R Smith
Stokes Medwin
63-64 3 H 1-1 Dyson
3R A 0-2
64-65 5 A 0-1
66-67 F W 2-1 Robertson Saul
81-82 6 A 3-2 Archibald Hoddle
Hazard
01-02 6 H 0-4
06-07 6 A 3-3 Berbatov, o.g., Ghaly
06-07 6R H 1-2 Keane(pen)
League Cup
71-72 S-F A 2-3 Chivers, Naylor
71-72 S-F H 2-2 Chivers, Peters
90-91 Q-F A 0-0
90-91 Q-F H 0-3
01-02 S-F A 1-2 Ferdinand
01-02 S-F H 5-1 Iversen, Sherwood
Sheringham, Davies
Rebrov
The euphoria over the thrashing of Arsenal on 22nd January is over, and the excitement of anticipation of the Carling Cup Final has been with us for the last two weeks. The trouble is that both teams have had plenty of other pieces of business on their agenda, and have had little time for the build up to this Sunday's feats of football at the new Wembley.
Avram Grant had a tricky start to his managerial career, and this week has had to face the distasteful threat of violence and anti-semitism. On the football front, Grant has led Chelsea to within three points of Manchester United, but still 8 points behind Arsenal in the Premier League. Chelsea are unbeaten in 17 games, since they lost 1-0 at The Emirates Stadium in December. That run included 10 consecutive victories in League and Cup competitions, including their home and away wins in the semi-final against Everton.
Chelsea have no reported injury problems, and one wonders if Grant is playing mind games when he says that skipper John Terry and Frank Lampard may not play on Sunday. Terry is a great player and leader, and Lampard is the top scorer in this seasons Carling Cup, although three of those did come in one game against Leicester. Unlike the team we conquered in the semi-final, Chelsea have tended to field strong teams in the League Cup, which has a lot to do with their success in recent years, with tournament wins in 2005 and 2007, and now their third final in four years.
Drogba returned to club action in Greece on Wednesday, and I suspect will be the prong in an attack supported by Wright-Phillips and Joe cole. Juande Ramos must be prepared for Chelsea's strongest side.
Spurs negotiated their way past Slavia Prague last night, with a poor team performance, but the squad is fit, with the exception of long term absentees Gareth Bale and Assou-Ekotto, Michael Dawson, who may be the most unfortunate of the team if he has to miss out with his hamstring injury, and recent signing Gilberto. Ledley King has been kept in cotton wool since that victory over the gooners, and will surely be on parade on Sunday. What a moment it would be if Ledley could lift the trophy!
The Spurs side could well be Robinson; Hutton, Woodgate, King, Chimbonda; Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque; Berbatov and Keane. In my opinion the one spot up for grabs is that beside Jenas. Tainio has been a successful defensive midfielder in some of our more crucial games, but lacks the pace of Zokora, who is just as agood a tackler. Huddlestone is the best passer in the squad really, but can be left behind against top class midfielders, when it comes to tracking back. I sincerely hope to see Jamie O'Hara involved, although that will probably be on the bench.
Chelsea like to crow about their past victories over Spurs, and will prefer to reminisce about their league record; their cup victory last season, and their 4-0 in 2002, which gave them revenge for our 5-1 beating in that Worthington Cup semi-final 6 years ago.
Rather than hark back to the history of this fixture, I prefer to counter with the irrefutable FACT that this Spurs side beat Chelsea in the league last season; was 3-1 up at half-time in the FA Cup at The Bridge; and has competed and often out-played the other top four sides this season.
It IS a fact that if Spurs can come up with a performance akin to that against Arsenal or that against Manchester United at home, then they CAN get a result on Sunday. I think the game will be a good spectacle, and I do fancy Spurs to win. I'll even go for a 3-1, with Berbatov and keane to provide our goals.
· Did you know? The following players and personnel, who took part in the 2002 Worthington Cup semi-final between Spurs and Chelsea could be involved in this Sunday's game? Cudicini, Terry and Lampard for Chelsea. Ledley King and Gus Poyet for Spurs, and referee Mark Halsey!
· Carling Cup Final 2008 - How they got there
· Carling Cup Final 2008 - Remembering Wembley 1967
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