Tom Jenkins February 28, 2010

League Cup: Behind the scenes at the final

To commemorate today's 50th League Cup final, our award-winning photographer Tom Jenkins has been granted unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to record the day's events as Aston Villa take on Manchester United at Wembley

Cup final: cup final — 11:15 Several hours before kick-off the match balls, which have been specially made to mark the 50th League Cup final, are pumped to exactly 12psi
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: Tom Jenkins/guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 12:00 The rain covers are out to protect the pitch from the heavy rain — 11:30 Incessant rain in London has forced the officials at Wembley to cover the pitch with protective sheeting – a rare sight at the national stadium
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 11:45 Dennis Tueart wins the award for the greatest League Cup final goal — 11:45 There have been some unforgettable moments in League Cup finals down the years – not least Dennis Tueart's match-winning overhead kick for Manchester City against Newcastle United in 1976, which has been voted the greatest of all in a poll of more than 20,000 fans. Tueart received a special award before the match in recognition of his goal
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 12:30 A winners medal is carefully burnished before kick-off — 12:30 A winner's medal is carefully burnished before kick-off. Villa are the second most successful club in the history of this competition with five wins to date; they're facing the holders and three-times winners Manchester United today
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 13:20 Jeff Stelling, Jamie Redknapp & Dwight York previews the match — 12:45 In the Sky Sports studio, Jeff Stelling previews the match with pundits Jamie Redknapp and the former Villa and United striker Dwight Yorke
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 12:30 Lunch is served to guests in the Great Hall — 13:00 Lunch is served to guests in the Great Hall
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 13:30 Retiring Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney gives a speech — 13:30 Retiring Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney gives a speech prior to what will be his last final ...
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 13:30 Sir Bobby Charlton listens to intently to Lord Mawhinney's speech — ... to which Sir Bobby Charlton listens intently
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 2.05pm The official team-sheets are handed in and photocopied — 14:05 The official team-sheets are handed in and photocopied. Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey will spearhead Villa's attack, meanwhile Michael Owen will start for United at Wayne Rooney's expense
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 14:15 Fans stroll up Wembley Way — 14:15 Fans of both clubs are in vociferous mood as they stroll up Wembley Way
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 14:50 United boss Alex Ferguson is interviewed before the kick off — 14:50 United boss Alex Ferguson is interviewed before kick-off and explains why he's made seven changes to the side which beat West Ham 3-0 in the Premier League on Tuesday
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 14:53 Michael Carrick limbers up in the tunnel — 14:53 United's Michael Carrick limbers up in the tunnel
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

cup final: cup final — 14:54 The cup is brought onto the pitch by Private Dave Tatlock, who has defied medical experts by walking again despite having shrapnel lodged in his spine. Tatlock was caught in friendly fire in Afghanistan in July 2008
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 14:55 The prize at stake is draped with ribbons of red, blue and claret — 14:55 The prize at stake is draped with ribbons of red, claret and blue. How apposite that the current holders and first ever winners should contest today's 50th final
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 14:58 Despite his 27 goals this season, Rooney is on the bench at kick-off — 14:58 Despite his 27 goals this season, Rooney finds himself on the bench. But the England striker looks untroubled as he shares a joke with Ryan Giggs
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 15:05 With just five minutes gone, James Milner steps up to take a penalty — 15:05 With just five minutes of the match gone, Agbonlahor's bedevilling pace leads Nemanja Vidic to bring him down in the penalty box. James Milner steps up to take the resulting penalty kick ...
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 15:05 Milner celebrates after scoring — ... and he scores! Villa have the lead with one of the quickest cup final goals in the tournament's history. Incidentally, the record is held by Jean Arne Riise whose strike against Chelsea in the 2005 final came after just 45 seconds
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 15:13 The Villa fans fall silent as Michael Owen levels the scores — 15:13 But the Villa fans are soon silenced as Michael Owen levels the scores with an adroit finish in the 13th minute. Villa's Richard Dunne must take some of the blame, though, as his dawdling allowed Dimitar Berbatov to seize possession in the build-up
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Emile Heskey's header is safely gathered by United's goalkeeper — Emile Heskey's looping header is safely gathered by United's goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Dimitar Berbatov heads the ball above Stiliyan Petrov — Dimitar Berbatov heads the ball as Stiliyan Petrov tumbles beneath him
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Berbatov and Petrov wait for treatment — Berbatov and Petrov wait for treatment as referee Phil Dowd stands impatiently looking towards the touchline
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Villa manager Martin O'Neill applaudes his players — Villa manager Martin O'Neill, winner of the 1997 and 2000 League Cups with Leicester City, applauds his players
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Rafael trails Agbonlahor — Rafael trails Agbonlahor - the young Brazilian struggling to rival his fleet-footed opponent
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 15: 42 Owen is forced off through injury & is replaced by Rooney — 15:42 It's a disappointing end to what seemed a promising afternoon for Michael Owen. With England boss Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Owen had been in impressive form early on, but he limps off with a hamstring injury near the end of the first half and is replaced by Rooney
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Cup final: Cup final — Ji-Sung Park skips a challenge from Stewart Downing and Evra picks up the loose ball as both sides look to wrestle control in the second half
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: James Milner thrashes a strike goalwards as Vidic blocks his path — James Milner thrashes a strike goalwards
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: This match is heading for extra-time unless a breakthrough can be found — This match is heading for extra-time unless a breakthrough can be found ...
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 16:29 Rooney gives United the lead — 16:29 ... and it's Rooney who provides that breakthrough with 16 minutes remaining. His tantalising header floats over the finger tips of Brad Friedel and into Villa's net
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 16:29 Rooney celebrates his goal with Patrice Evra — 16:29 Rooney, whose goal was created by a delightful cross from Antonio Valencia, is congratulated by Patrice Evra Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Carling Cup Final: Villa are desperate for an equaliser, but Utd are happy to play for time — Villa are desperate for an equaliser, but United are happy to run down the clock Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Carling Cup Final: United's fans are joyous at the final whistle — After four minutes of injury time, United's fans are joyous as the referee blows the final whistle
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Maria Lavery of the Football League removes the claret and blue ribbons — On hearing the peep of the whistle, Maria Lavery of the Football League removes the claret and blue ribbons from the trophy
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 16:55 Villa's dejected centre back James Collins collects his loser's medal — 16:55 Villa's dejected centre back James Collins wipes his face after collecting his loser's medal
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: 17:00 Patrice Evra lifts the trophy — 17:00 Patrice Evra lifts the trophy as United become only the third team ever to retain the League Cup
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Evra is doused with champagne as United celebrate their win — Evra is doused with champagne as United celebrate their win Photograph: Tom Jenkins

cup final: cup final — Alex Ferguson looks thrilled, clasping his 34th trophy in 24 years as United's boss
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: Streamers trail across the floor as Rooney leaves the field — Streamers trail across the floor as Rooney, the protagonist of United's victory, leaves the field Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Cup final: Cup final — O'Neill talks to the media afterwards and questions why Vidic was allowed to stay on the field after giving away the early penalty. "It does not matter if it is in the first second or the 89th minute of the game, the decision is straightforward. It is so straightforward it is incredible," he says.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Cup final: Cup final — Prince William, an ardent Villa fan, is able to laugh off the defeat. It's been 14 years since Villa won silverware - William was just 13 at the time
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins Photograph: Tom Jenkins/guardian.co.uk

Carling Cup Final: United's dressing room is left in a mess after they depart Wembley — United's dressing room is left in a mess with beer cans and loo rolls strewn about the place after the team have departed Wembley with the League Cup trophy.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

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