Unlike the FA Cup, the League Cup (currently sponsored by Carling) hasn’t been monopolised anywhere near as much by the ‘Big Four’ in recent seasons. Since the turn of the millennium, Leicester (2000), Blackburn (2002), Middlesbrough (2004) and Tottenham (2008) have all triumphed in this competition. However, it’s noticeable that Chelsea have taken this piece of silverware far more seriously of late, winning in 2005 and 2007, while finishing runner-up last time, and Manchester United claimed the title in 2009.

Many Premier League clubs regard this competition as nothing more than an inconvenience, especially in the early stages when the prospect of a Wembley final seems so far away. Indeed, Man United’s success in 2006 was mainly due to their need to win at least one piece of si