Posted Feb 26th 2007, 10:53am by Andy Swan

Carling Cup showdown

I think there's every chance the Carling Cup will be sponsored by Stella Artois next season the way that one went off.

Hardly the respectful end to what has been quite a successful and entertaining competition.

There's something ironic too in Arsenal blooding all this youth as good experience and a sound grounding to learn about the in's and out's of the game, only for two of the supposedly more senior (and smarter) players to be the ones trudging back to the changing rooms early.

A bit of a mess of a Final really, but a good day in Cardiff (minus the horrendous queues at Paddington) and a memorable if ultimately disappointing day.

I still can't help thinking that Chelsea cheated their way to the Final with that Drgoba free-kick at Newcastle, but there you go ...