Spurs matched at 40 to win the Carling Cup

Premier League / Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 24 February 2008 / Leave a Comment

Superb comeback by Spurs rewards their backers for the Carling Cup plus the best of the Premiership action on Betfair

Tottenham were matched at odds of [40.0] on Betfair to win the Carling Cup before the start of the tournament. But Spurs had to make a remarkable comeback against Chelsea in the final to secure a payout for those pre-tournament backers after Chelsea were matched at just [1.27] to win the match in 90 minutes and [1.15] to win the competition after being a goal up.

That goal was scored by Didier Drogba, matched at [8.2] to open the scoring and those were the exact same odds on a 1-1 scoreline after 90 minutes.

Jonathon Woodgate's extra-time winner, his first strike in two years, was good news for those who predicted a win for Spurs after extra-time at a price of [17.0]. They can thank Paul Robinson from preventing a Chelsea second after a fine save in the second-half of extra time. The fact that Robinson was on the pitch at all caused some surprise after his rival for the keeper's jersey - Cerny - was matched at evens on the Betfair market asking which of the two would start in the final.

Spurs' cup successes may not end here though. They are the [7.2] second-favourites to go on and lift the UEFA Cup with Bayern Munich the favourites at [4.2]. Chelsea run the risk of finishing the season without winning anything; they are evens to finish the season without any trophies having been matched at 5 earlier on in the season.

Aston Villa extended their rich vein of form in the Premiership and continued challenge for a fourth-place finish in the league after beating Reading 2-1. Martin O'Neill's side drifted slightly to [2.74] and could even afford the luxury of missing a penalty through Gareth Barry before eventually taking the lead through Ashley Young.

The big betting story was however the fact that over 2.5 goals was matched at 100 before Nicky Shorey's free-kick in the last few seconds of injury time. Under 2.5 goals was matched at [1.01] for over £11,000.

The three points keep Aston Villa in the running for fourth-spot. With Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea virtually guaranteed of a fourth-place finish, Liverpool are [1.53], Everton are [4.6] and Villa are next at [7.2].

Reading's misery continues and they are the 2.53 third-favourites for the drop. Only Derby ([1.01]) and Fulham ([1.4]) are shorter in the betting.