2004 Football League Cup Final

The 2004 Football League Cup Final (known as the 2 Route to the Final
Carling Cup nal for sponsorship reasons) was a football match that took place on 29 February 2004 at the
2.1 Bolton
Millennium Stadium, Cardi. It was the nal match of
the 200304 Football League Cup, the 44th edition of
As a Premier League team, Bolton began in the second
the Football League Cup, a competition for the 92 teams
round, hosting Walsall of the First Division at the Reebok
in the Premier League and The Football League.
Stadium. They won 31 with two goals one a penalty
It was contested between Premier League sides Bolton kick by Brazilian debutant Mrio Jardel.[6] In the next
Wanderers and Middlesbrough, both of whom had never round on 28 October, they again hosted a second-tier
won in their previous appearances in the nal. Boltons team, this time Gillingham, and won 20 with goals by
run to the nal included a win away to holders Liverpool Stelios Giannakopoulos and Henrik Pedersen, in front of
in the fourth round, while requiring extra time against a notably low crowd of 5,258.[7]
Southampton in the next round and losing the second
In the fourth round, Bolton had their rst trip, and their
leg of the semi-nal against Aston Villa. Middlesbrough
rst game against top-ight opposition, facing Liverpool
needed extra time against lowly Brighton & Hove Alat Aneld on 3 December. Jardel scored the rst goal
bion in their rst game, and later advanced on penalty
within ve minutes, with Danny Murphy equalising with
shootouts against top-ight Everton and Tottenham Hot20 minutes remaining. Youri Djorkae would have put
spur; they then won home and away against league leaders
Bolton back into the lead, but referee Mike Riley disalArsenal in the semi-nals.
lowed it for an earlier handball; they scored minutes later
Middlesbrough scored two goals in the rst seven min- from Jay-Jay Okocha's free kick. Liverpool got a secutes, from Joseph-Dsir Job and a Boudewijn Zenden ond equaliser from a 25-yard Vladimr micer strike, but
penalty. Kevin Davies got a goal back in the rst half with a minute remaining Salif Diao fouled Kevin Davies
after an error by Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, but in the penalty area and Djorkae sent the resulting spotMiddlesbrough kept the score at 21 for their rst major kick past Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to win the
trophy. In doing so, they qualied for the 200405 UEFA game.[8] Thirteen days later, in extra time at home to the
Cup, their rst European competition.
Premier Leagues Southampton, Pedersen volleyed the
only goal with ve minutes remaining.[9]

On 21 January 2004, Bolton hosted Aston Villa in the

rst leg of an all-Premier League semi-nal. Okocha gave
them the lead with a second-minute free kick, and further
strikes from Kevin Nolan and Stelios gave them a 30
lead after 17 minutes, with Juan Pablo ngel getting one
back for the visitors soon after. ngel got another goal
in the second half, before N'Gottys header and a second
Okocha free kick gave Bolton a 52 victory.[10] Six days
later in the second leg at Villa Park, Bolton lost 20 to
a Villa team who had Gavin McCann sent o in the rst
half, but advanced to the nal 54 on aggregate.[11]

Background

Bolton were playing in their second League Cup Final,

having lost the 1995 edition 21 to Liverpool. Middlesbrough too had never previously won the competition: in
1997 they lost the nal after extra time in a replay against
Leicester City, and a year later they lost 20 to Chelsea after extra time.[2] In 1997, they also lost the FA Cup nal to
Chelsea, and were relegated from the Premier League.[3] 2.2 Middlesbrough
Although Middlesbrough, founded in 1876, were without a major trophy, Bolton had 4 FA Cups from 7 nals Middlesbrough, also of the Premier League, began the
between 1894 and 1958.[4]
competition in the second round by hosting Brighton &
Bolton and Middlesbrough had already met once in the Hove Albion at the Riverside Stadium, and defeated the
league season, at the formers Reebok Stadium on 13 Second Division team 10 with a goal from Malcolm
September 2003. The hosts won 20 with goals by Bruno Christie at the start of extra time.[12] In the next round,
N'Gotty and Kevin Davies in each half for a rst victory they travelled to Wigan Athletic of the First Division and
of the campaign.[5]
won 21 with Massimo Maccarone and Gaizka Mendi1

4 POST-MATCH

eta's rst goals of the season, despite the hosts at the

JJB Stadium scoring a late free kick through Jimmy
Bullard.[13]
They met their rst top-ight opposition in the fourth
round, hosting Everton. After 120 goalless minutes, the
match went to a penalty shootout in which Mendieta
scored the winner after Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark
Schwarzer saved from Leon Osman.[14] The quarter-nal
at another Premier League team, Tottenham Hotspur,
also went to a shootout. Darren Anderton scored for
the hosts within 63 seconds, the rst goal Boro conceded for over 11 hours. With four minutes to play,
Middlesbrough striker Michael Ricketts equalised after
a cross from George Boateng. The shootout, in which
Schwarzer denied Mauricio Taricco and Kasey Keller
blocked from Mendieta, went to sudden death, in which
Middlesbroughs goalkeeper saved from Gus Poyet and
Franck Queudrue scored Boros winner.[15]
In the semi-nals, Boro faced Arsenal, the leaders and
eventual unbeaten champions of the Premier League
season. In the rst leg at Highbury on 20 January
2004, Queudrue exploited a mistake by Arsenal defender
Martin Keown and passed to Mendieta, who then assisted
Juninho for the only goal of the game.[16] On 3 February, Boro hosted Arsenal in the second leg; Keown was
sent o at the end of the rst half for a professional foul
on Maccarone. In the second half, Boudewijn Zenden
put Middlesbrough ahead and Edu equalised. With ve
minutes remaining, Arsenals Jos Antonio Reyes scored
an own goal by deecting Stuart Parnaby's shot, making
Middlesbrough advance to the nal 31 on aggregate.[17]

3
3.1

Match
Pre-match

Boudewijn Zenden (pictured playing for Liverpool in 2005) assisted Middlesbroughs rst goal and scored their second. He
received the Alan Hardaker Trophy for the nals man of the
match.

a record broken the following year by Liverpools John

Arne Riise.[21]
After Jobs early goal, Bolton went on the attack, with
Djorkae forcing Schwarzer to make a near-post save.[20]
In the seventh minute however, Middlesbrough won a
penalty when Job was tripped in the Bolton box by
Emerson Thome, under minimal contact.[20] Zenden
stepped up to take the spot kick and beat Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jskelinen, despite slipping and the goalkeepers foot touching the ball.[20] Later, Thome nearly
scored an own goal from Juninhos cross.[20]
Davies scored for Bolton on 21 minutes when an error by
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Schwarzer allowed his shot to
go inside his near post. Bolton continued to attack, and
Schwarzer made a double save from winger Per Frandsen
and Djorkae. The latter had two more chances soon after, missing the target with the rst. Boro pleaded for a
second penalty when Nicky Hunt pulled Job, but referee
Riley did not give it.[20]

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, who was building a reputation for signing unwanted foreign veterans such as
N'Gotty, Djorkae and Ivn Campo, predicted that a win
would help him sign more players in the summer. However, he thought that success would also lead his 13 players who would be out of contract, to demand more money
The second half had fewer incidents.[20] Schwarzer saved
for a renewal.[18]
a header from Nolan, while Juninho had two opportuOn-loan Middlesbrough right-back Danny Mills, a self- nities for Middlesbrough.[20] In the nal few minutes,
acknowledged hate gure from opposition fans due to Thome made a crucial block against Mendieta, and at the
his physical style of play, declared that he would ignore other side of the pitch Ugo Ehiogu did the same to thwart
any abuse from Bolton fans.[19]
Stelios.[20]

3.2

Summary

3.3 Match details

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren had not even sat

down when his team took the lead.[20] Mendietas pass 4 Post-match
let Zenden run down the left wing and cross for striker
Joseph-Dsir Job to put Middlesbrough ahead in the sec- Winning manager McClaren called the victory a great
ond minute. [20] It was the fastest goal scored in a nal, reward for Middlesbroughs players, managers and

5 References
[1] Alan Hardaker Trophy Winners. The Football League.
26 February 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
[2] England - Football League Cup Finals. RSSSF. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[3] Saleem, Omar (31 July 2004). How Middlesbroughs
mid-1990s transfers changed English football. BBC
Sport. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[4] England FA Challenge Cup Finals. RSSSF. Retrieved
1 April 2016.
[5] Bolton seal rst win. BBC Sport. 13 September 2003.
Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[6] Bolton 3-1 Walsall. BBC Sport. 24 September 2003.
Retrieved 1 April 2016.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was praised by his
manager for recovering from an error.

[7] Bolton 2-0 Gillingham. BBC Sport. 28 October 2003.

Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[8] Bolton stun Liverpool. BBC Sport. 3 December 2003.
Retrieved 1 April 2016.

chairman Steve Gibson.[22] Captain Gareth Southgate

also dedicated the win to the fans and Gibson, calling the
chairman the biggest fan we've got.[22] Gibson himself [9]
called the win 128 years in the making and predicted
the team would kick on from it.[22]
[10]

Bolton see o Saints. BBC Sport. 16 December 2003.

Retrieved 1 April 2016.
Bolton 5-2 Aston Villa. BBC Sport. 21 January 2004.
Retrieved 1 April 2016.

McClaren praised his goalkeeper Schwarzer for recovering from his error that allowed Boltons goal, in order to [11] Aston Villa 2-0 Bolton. BBC Sport. 27 January 2004.
make saves that won the match.[22] He also said that the
Retrieved 1 April 2016.
team should not become carried away by their qualication for Europe, and instead concentrate on the upcoming [12] Middlesbrough 1-0 Brighton. BBC Sport. 24 September 2003. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
game against Birmingham City.[22]
By winning the nal, Middlesbrough qualied for the [13] Wigan 1-2 Middlesbrough. BBC Sport. 28 October
2003. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
following seasons UEFA Cup, their rst European
[23]
competition.
They beat Bank Ostrava in the rst
[14] Boro through on penalties. BBC Sport. 3 December
round and came rst in their group featuring Villarreal,
2003. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
Partizan, Lazio and Egaleo.[24] They then defeated Grazer
AK in the third round before being eliminated by [15] Spurs suer penalty agony. BBC Sport. 17 December
2003. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
Sporting.[25]
Columnist Henry Winter The Daily Telegraph wrote that
it was the best League Cup Final since Luton Town
beat Arsenal in 1988.[26] He praised all four of Middlesbroughs back line for their alert defending, and noted
the hard work in mideld by Boateng that allowed Zenden, Juninho and Mendieta to create chances.[26] He also
lauded Boltons fans and the eorts of Okocha, Djorkae
and Davies, while noting how Boltons Campo was eective despite the odd pantomime dive".[26] Alan Smith of
the same newspaper opined that 33-year-old Southgate
was the most deserving winner, as reward for his consistency since arriving in an average Boro side in 2001.
Southgates only other medal had come in the same competition for Aston Villa eight years prior.[27]

[16] Arsenal 0-1 Middlesbrough. BBC Sport. 20 January

2004. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[17] Middlesbrough 2-1 Arsenal. BBC Sport. 3 February
2004. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[18] Johnson, William (28 February 2004). Djorkae delighted. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[19] Hate gure loves to win. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[20] Boro lift Carling Cup. BBC Sport. 29 February 2004.
Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[21] Stoke City: Middlesbrough in prole. Stoke Sentinel. 30
August 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2016.

In June 2013, Juninho said that winning the League Cup

with Middlesbrough was better than when he won the [22] McClaren praises Schwarzer. BBC Sport. 29 February
FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002.[28]
2004. Retrieved 1 April 2016.

[23] Middlesbrough 3-0 Banik O. BBC Sport. 16 September

2004. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[24] Boro 3-0 P Belgrade. BBC Sport. 15 December 2004.
Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[25] Sporting 1-0 M'brough (Agg: 4-2)". BBC Sport. 17
March 2005. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[26] Winter, Henry (1 March 2004). Middlesbroughs time to
party. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
[27] Smith, Alan (1 March 2004). Southgate gets due reward
for years of dedication. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved
1 April 2016.
[28] Oliver-Gaz, George (1 July 2013). Five reasons why the
League Cup is better than the World Cup. Gazette Live.
Retrieved 1 April 2016.

REFERENCES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

6.1

Text

2004 Football League Cup Final Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Football_League_Cup_Final?oldid=716729428 Contributors: Rich Farmbrough, Qwghlm, Robwingeld, Tim!, Bgwhite, The Rambling Man, Quentin X, RussBot, Chanheigeorge, SndrAndrss,
SmackBot, Ilikeeatingwaes, PeeJay2K3, Djln, Kanabekobaton, Ohconfucius, Andrwsc, Ex-User777, Cydebot, Heusie18, Achangeisasgoodasa, Beatpoet, Jameboy, Foxhill, Dapsv~enwiki, Waacstats, Simmo676, Keith D, CommonsDelinker, Novadeath69, WereSpielChequers, The Thing That Should Not Be, Addbot, Stelios7, Mr Hall of England, JohnnyPolo24, Luckas-bot, Fernandosmission, 1exec1, Armbrust, Stephan Sensuality, Jaguar, VEO15, BaldBoris, WikitanvirBot, Wonderwizard, Kasirbot, Alan McBrazil Burger, The Almightey
Drill, Joelson Maciel, Tttt and Anonymous: 14

6.2

Images

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6.3

Content license

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