TOTTENHAM Hotspur won its first trophy in nine years Sunday, rallying to beat Chelsea 2-1 in extra time in the League Cup final at Wembley in London.

Jonathan Woodgate scored the winning goal in the 94th minute. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech saved Woodgate’s first header from Jermaine Jenas’ free kick, but the ball ricocheted back onto the defender’s head and into the empty net.

“I don’t really go up for corners but I took a chance and was able to get my head on it and luckily it went in,” Woodgate said.

Didier Drogba gave defending champion Chelsea the lead in the 39th, but Dimitar Berbatov tied the score in the 70th from the penalty spot.

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, recalled to the team this week after a month out, made three key saves after Woodgate’s goal to preserve the lead and seal Tottenham’s third win over Chelsea in 43 games since 1990.

It was Spurs’ fourth League Cup title, moving them into a tie with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest for third on the all-time list.

Tottenham created more chances than Chelsea, which is eight places higher in the Premier League and was aiming to become the first team since Forest in 1990 to retain the cup.

In the Premier League, Aston Villa stayed in contention for a spot in next season’s Champions League by beating Reading 2-1.

Ashley Young and Marlon Harewood scored for Villa, which could have added a third but Gareth Barry missed a penalty kick. Nicky Shorey scored in injury time for Reading.

Villa, which is owned by Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner, stayed in sixth place, tied with fourth-place Liverpool and fifth-place Everton with 47 points. The top four finishers enter the Champions League next season.

(SD-Agencies)