Top Ten: League Cup Finals

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1. Rogers: runs rings around Gunners
Swindon 3 Arsenal 1 (1969)
The Wembley pitch was in its worst ever condition following the horse of the year show a few months earlier. This along with a flu bug in the Arsenal camp gave third division Swindon a fighting chance in this match. Though a shock, their victory was anything but fortunate and was achieved with some exhilerating football. They led for most of the first half before a late Arsenal equaliser, then in extra time Rogers put them ahead with a fine strike and then sealed the win with probably the best solo goal ever scored in a final, waltzing around Bob Wilson before tapping home.

2. Marsh: lights up Wembley
QPR 3 West Brom 2 (1967)
At that time a third division side, QPR came back from two goals down to beat holders West Bromwich Albion in the first final played at Wembley, with Marsh inspiring the comeback, scoring one of the goals. At the end of the game the stadium, with almost 100,000 in attendance, was ringing with the chant of "Rod-ney".

3. Dibble to the Rescue:
Luton 3 Arsenal 2 (1988)
The 1980s were a fine time to be a Luton fan and the finest moment came at Wembley this year when they beat Arsenal in a thrilling final. Luton went ahead early through Brian Stein, but two goals in five minutes from Martin Hayes and Alan Smith but the holders 2-1 in front with ten minutes remaining. Arsenal hit the woodwork twice and were awarded a penalty, but Nigel Winterburn saw his penalty pushed away at full stretch by stand-in keeper Andy Dibble. The match turned on its head. Danny Wilson equalised before Brian Stein's second of the game in the last minute gave the Hatters the trophy.

4. Jose wins first trophy in England:
Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2 (2005)
The League Cup was not seen by Jose Mourinho as a worthless competition. He was desperate to capture his first success as Chelsea manager, but his side fell behind in the first minute through a screamer from John Arne Riise. This lead was held until a Steve Gerrard own goal in the 79th minute after which Mourinho was sent to the stands for putting his finger to his lips to mock the sudden silence from the Liverpool support. Goals from Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman gave the Blues victory in extra time.

5. Sheridan free kick seals upset:
Sheff Wed 1 Man Utd 0 (1991)
Though Wednesday were unfortunate to go down the year before and were probably better than half of the First Division side at this point, they were not expected to be able to cope with a Manchester United side in the final who were beginning to develop into the side that would dominate the 1990s. Former red Devils boss Ron Atkinson had put together a talented side though and they more than held their own and won the match thanks to John Sheridan's free kick.

6. Heartache for Francis:
Liverpool beat Birmingham 5-4 on pens (2001)
Birmingham had never won a major trophy in their history and this seemed like it could be the time for them to do so. A superb goal from Robbie Fowler gave Liverpool the lead but the Blues would not be shut out of the game and in injury time were awarded a penalty that Darren Purse tucked away. This only made the ending harder for the First Division club and manager (and boyhood Blues fan) Trevor Francis as Sander Westerveld became the hero saving spot kicks from Martin Grainger and Andy Johnson to give Liverpool victory.

7. Rush hoodoo over, Champagne Charlie delivers:
Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1 (1987)
"When Ian Rush scores, Liverpool never lose". This had been mentioned by every commentator following the Welshman's countless goals in the preceding five years and it seemed that the Gunners, without a trophy in eight years may as well have gone home at this stage. Now under George Graham, they were now built of sterner stuff and two scrappy goals from Charlie Nicholas gave Arsenal the first trophy under their new manager.

8. Whelan scores a screamer:
Liverpool 2 Man Utd 1 (1983)
Liverpool-Manchester United games are always an occasion and this one was settled by a superb strike in extra time. Ronnie Whelan, perhaps the least heralded of Liverpool's midfield, cut in from the left before hitting an incredible curling effort into the far corner. Leading Jimmy Hill in the studio to express his bemusement at a right footed player playing on the left if memory serves correctly.

9. Souness settles derby:
Liverpool 1 Everton 0 (1984) - Replay
This final, the first between the Merseyside clubs who would dominate football in the mid-1980s, was a dreary affair until towards the end of the replay at Maine Road, when the Liverpool midfield general, who was set to leave Anfield at the end of the season, scored a superb 20 yard strike. It would be Liverpool's first trophy of their treble season.

10. Villa win marathon tie:
Aston Villa 3 Everton 2 (1977) - Second Replay
This wouldn't happen these days. It took an incredible 360 minutes to separate these two teams. It would eventually be Villa who prevailed winning the cup for the second time in two years under Ron Sauders. Brian Little, who later won the trophy as Villa boss, scored twice in the third game at Old Trafford to ensure the trophy went back to the Midlands.

Source - sky sports news