Arsenal 1 - 2 Birmingham Birmingham stun Arsenal in cup final
Obefami Martins pounced on a calamitous Arsenal defensive mix-up two minutes from time as Birmingham City claimed their first silverware since 1963 by winning the Carling Cup at Wembley.
Martins, on loan from Rubin Kazan, took advantage of a fatal communication breakdown between Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny to strike the late blow that clinched victory for Alex McLeish's side and sent their supporters into ecstasy.
The striker, on as substitute for Keith Fahey, had the simplest of chances after Koscielny attempted to clear when Szczesny came to collect Nikola Zigic's tame header to extend Arsenal's six-year wait for a trophy.
Zigic gave Birmingham a first-half lead but Robin van Persie's spectacular volley restored equality before the interval in an enthralling Wembley final.
In contrast to the crestfallen figure of Szczesny, Birmingham were indebted to their keeper Ben Foster - penalty shoot-out hero of Manchester United's win in this competition two years ago - for a magnificent display that rightly earned him the man-of-the match award.
He was outstanding throughout, denying Samir Nasri on three occasions and also saving splendidly from Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner.
Birmingham, who also hit the woodwork through Fahey, were a model of determination and resilience as well as positive intent and their success is a tribute to the outstanding work of manager McLeish.
Defender Roger Johnson was another commanding figure and all the bravery displayed by him and his team-mates in the face of a late Arsenal onslaught was rewarded in sensational circumstances in the dying moments.
Arsenal, robbed of captain Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott through injury, never hit the heights and that moment of defensive madness means Wenger has still not laid his hands on a trophy since winning the FA Cup against Manchester United in 2005.
There was a moment of contention almost instantly when Lee Bowyer raced clear into the area and was hauled down by Szczesny for what would have been a penalty and, in all probability, a red card for the keeper.
Arsenal were relieved as the linesman's flag had already been raised - but Birmingham were frustrated by the fact that the decision was incorrect.
Arsenal nearly increased Birmingham's sense of injustice when Arshavin forced Foster into a fine save on the turn as the favourites attempted to exert early authority.
Zigic's selection owed much to his obvious aerial threat to Arsenal and McLeish's decision was vindicated as the giant striker headed Birmingham into the lead after 28 minutes.
He was able to evade the attentions of a cluster of Arsenal defenders and Szczesny in the six-yard box to head home after Johnson's power in the air caused problems at a corner.
And the striker should have doubled his and Birmingham's tally as Arsenal creaked under pressure but his control let him down at the vital moment, allowing Szczesny to block after good work by Craig Gardner.
Birmingham were showing discipline and enterprise in equal measure, but Arsenal produced a moment of genuine class to draw level six minutes before half-time.
Jack Wilshere rattled Foster's woodwork from the edge of the area and when Birmingham failed to clear Arshavin crossed for an airborne Van Persie to volley brilliantly beyond the reach of the keeper.
Foster was tested once more as the interval approached, blocking a swerving drive from Nasri as an thrilling first 45 minutes drew to a close.
As Arsenal gathered momentum, Tomas Rosicky was within inches of giving them the perfect start after the break but his crisp, low shot was narrowly off target.
Birmingham suffered a blow early in the second half when the influential Gardner went off injured and was replaced by Jean Beausejour - but McLeish's side brushed off the setback to almost regain the lead.
Fahey's shot carried too much power and direction for Szczesny but, as the massed ranks of Birmingham fans rose to acclaim the strike it bounced off the inside of the post and across the face of goal.
Wenger made a change midway through the half, sending on Bendtner for Van Persie, who took a heavy knock in the act of scoring Arsenal's equaliser.
Foster came to Birmingham's rescue twice in the space of seconds as time ticked away, blocking Nasri's powerful drive before clutching Bendtner's effort at the second attempt.
Arsenal had assumed command and Foster once again demonstrated his agility and quality with a diving save from Nasri as their personal duel continued.
And then, with an extra 30 minutes beckoning came that meltdown between Szczesny and Koscielny - leaving Martins to pounce and win the Carling Cup for Birmingham.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stmBlues earn Wembley glory
Birmingham shocked Arsenal in the Carling Cup final as Obfemi Martins capitalised on a defensive mix-up to secure a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Wembley.
With extra time looming, a header from Nikola Zigic caused panic in the Arsenal box and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny gifted the ball to Martins, who supplied the simplest of finishes.
Robin van Persie's equaliser had earlier cancelled out Zigic's opener in a pulsating encounter full of chances and controversy.
Arsenal's quest for a first major trophy in almost six seasons had dominated the build-up to the Wembley showpiece but it was Birmingham, without any significant silverware since 1963, who started the brighter.
There was a major talking point after just a couple of minutes when Szczesny brought down Lee Bowyer in the box but the flag had already been raised, incorrectly, for offside.
Alex McLeish's Blues were finally rewarded with the opening goal in the 28th minute as Roger Johnson headed a corner towards goal and the giant Zigic nodded home the finishing touch.
Zigic was denied by Szczesny when one-on-one with the goalkeeper moments later before Arsenal finally started to discover some fluency and equalised on 39 minutes.
Jack Wilshere struck the woodwork but the rebound fell to Andrey Arshavin, who did well to set up Van Persie for a fantastic volleyed finish.
Arsenal looked more settled at the start of the second period than they had in the first but were unable to take firm control against a Birmingham side playing positively and working hard.
The danger posed by Birmingham was evident just before the hour mark as Keith Fahey's low shot ricocheted agonisingly off the post.
Ben Foster then kept Birmingham level with a series of fine saves and it looked as though extra-time would be needed to settle the sides until substitute Martins slammed home the winner in the 89th minute.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6784058,00.html
[ 本文被OldSosad在2011-02-28 02:39重新編輯 ]
