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Capital One Cup Final 2016: LIVE
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Hello and welcome to BBC's coverage of the English League Cup Final, commonly known as the Capital One Cup Final across England. Today we will be covering Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace as they try to fight off the threat of Championship league leaders Oldham Athletic - led by footballing maestro Paul Scholes nowadays.
Both teams have had great challenges on the road to Wembley, with Crystal Palace defeating both Chelsea and Manchester City, while Oldham fought off the threats of Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. To find them at Wembley today is a scenario nobody could've predicted when the tournament kicked off it's first round back near the start of August, where Oldham thumped Northampton Town 7-0, courtesy of a Laste Dombaxe hat-trick.
But Palace played their first game against Sheffield United in the 2nd round, where Lucas Piazón put them through to the 3rd round with a 72nd minute strike back in late August. They went on to play Premier League rivals West Brom which finished 0-0 after extra time, only for Palace to put 5 penalties past them, going through to the 4th round against Chelsea. Chelsea were leading 2-1 up until the 93rd minute of the game after Scott Dann nodded home a corner to take the game to extra-time, where South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-Yong finished the game in the 99th minute of the game.
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That win put Palace through to the Quarter-Final to face the beast that is Manchester City at the Etihad. However, Palace strolled past the favourites, with Dwight Gayle netting a hat-trick, winning the game 4-1 and setting up a semi-final fixture against East-Anglia side Norwich City. Crystal Palace's chances of reaching Wembley were blunted in the first-leg of the fixture, with Lewis Grabban stealing a 90th minute goal to put
The Canaries in the lead coming to Selhurst Park. Wilfried Zaha immediately destroyed Norwich's lead in the second leg, equalising the game with a 2nd minute goal, only for Dwight Gayle to send Alan Pardew's men to Wembley 77 minutes later.
Paul Scholes' Oldham only played one non-Premier League side in their Capital One Cup campaign, so his men didn't have quite the peace at mind that Alan Pardew did. Their road to the final began at Boundary Park in front of a 2,705 crowd as Laste Dombaxe led Oldham to a 7-0 thrashing of League Two's Northampton Town. They were then thrown straight into the mix against Premier League relegation favourites Leicester City as two quickfire Joshua King goals in the last two minutes set up a tie against local rivals Manchester United in the third round.
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Oldham had beaten Manchester United last season in the F.A. Cup, but now with a whole new team, this was the first real challenge Scholes' new squad had. In front of a full to the brim Boundary Park, the
Latics delighted their fans to a last-gasp finish by Carlos Fierro in the last minute of extra-time to finish the game off 3-2 and put them through to the 4th round of the cup.
Oldham faced Hull in the fourth round, another Premier League team and the game was deadlocked at 90 minutes, with both teams' defences keeping solidified and nobody risking anything. It was extra-time where this game came to life, as Hull hitman Sone Aluko put the
Tigers in the lead on 114 minutes, with everyone expecting Hull to reach the quarter-finals of the cup, step up John Guidetti who equalised three minutes later to send the game to penalties. Oldham's penalty takers were all on target, scoring 5 out of 5, however Hull's £3million striker Dame N'Doye was the villain as he missed his team's final penalty, which set up a quarter-final tie with Liverpool for Oldham.
The game at Anfield between Liverpool and Oldham will definitely be the most action-packed cup-tie of the season, with nine goals scored in total it will go down in history as a classic game in League Cup history. Liverpool took the lead after 19 seconds, only for Oldham's Jhon Arango to equalise a minute later. Boaz Myhill put one in his own net to put Oldham in the lead after 18 minutes, only for centre-back Andre Wisdom to cancel that goal out. Oldham's Mexican striker Carlos Fierro put Oldham back in the lead with a 41st minute penalty. This was again cancelled out by £12million striker Harry Kane one minute after the whistle blew for the beginning of the second half. Borini then put Liverpool in the lead 69 minutes after they first held it in the first minute, 4-3 Liverpool. Just 12 minutes later, another own goal cost Liverpool the lead as Andre Wisdom tapped in a goal on the 82nd minute mark. The fifth goal, and decisive goal was scored by Laste Dombaxe in the 84th minute of the game, which sent Oldham through to the semi-final.
Oldham were sent down to London to White Hart Lane as they faced Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the semi-final. All the goals came in the second half - beginning with Nicolas Nkoulou's 47th minute header to send Spurs 1-0 up. Carlos Fierro cancelled that strike out in the 66th minute, and furthered their dominance with two goals in two minutes, a volley from Joe Walsh and a tidy, placed finish in the 85th minute by Laste Dombaxe. Christian Eriksen pulled one back for Spurs, but sent Pochettino's men to Boundary Park chasing a one-goal deficit.
Seven goals were scored at Boundary Park in front of a full-capacity attendance. Fierro kicked the goals off with a seventh minute strike, with the equaliser coming three minutes later from Emmanuel Adebayor. The same man put Spurs in the lead two minutes later with a penalty. However, Carlos Fierro had other ideas and sent the game to 2-2 in the 16th minute. Joshua King put Oldham back in the lead just before half-time, a goal cancelled out 32 minutes later courtesy of Gokhan Tore. Oldham's Jesús Vallejo then sent Oldham to Wembley in the 83rd minute, making the tie 7-5 on aggregate.
But now, the line-ups have been handed into the referee and are ready to walk out onto the famous Wembley turf - a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of these men and mascots.
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And now, the teams are in position and we will go to our commentary team of Martin Tyler and Alan Smith.
1': Yes, the managers have shaken hands and now it's time to go to war on the pristine Wembley pitch. Crystal Palace to kick us off.
2': We have our first attack of significance here, as McArthur looks to whip a ball into the box from this free-kick. Oldham's Spanish centre-back Vallejo clears with his head now and the ball has ended up back at the feet of McArthur, with Joshua King bearing down on him. Here's Joel Ward now... Dispossessed by Laste Dombaxe here, who looks to create a counter-attack. Here's the Colombian wonderkid Jhon Wilmar Arango bursting down the centre of the pitch with the ball at his feet, not many options ahead of him, though. He plays the ball left, to the winger King, who is making a run inside to receive the ball here... Straight into Hennessey's hands. Great play by Arango!
19': Fisher throws the ball to right-winger Dombaxe. Arango feeds the ball down the right side of the penalty area, the pass is cut out by Ward but immediately won back by Fierro. Plays a low ball into Dombaxe who's arrived in the 18-yard box, he's taken a shot which is blocked by Hangeland, falls back at the feet of Fierro, now also in the box. Piazón puts a foot in but Oldham still have possession, not anymore, though. Piazón has the ball now.
20': Hunt throws the ball down the line to Chung-Yong's feet. Puncheon lays a pass off for Guédioura who looks to piledrive a shot towards goal! Leali kneels down to hold the ball in his grasp, good creativity by Puncheon there.
26': McArthur looks set to put a ball into the area again from a free-kick. Intercepted by the first man Darnell Fisher who finds Dombaxe who was initially in the one-man wall. He's taken a heavy first touch here, which Ward gleefully gets control of. Piazón receives a pass at chest height from Ward. He turns away from the sliding challenge by Fisher and gives the ball to Adlene Guédioura. Jones tackles and tries to play a passback to Leali... But it's too short! Gayle finishes to make it 1-0 to Palace!
Dwight Gayle has put Crystal Palace 1-0 up in the Capital One Cup Final!
26': Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Oldham Athletic
28': Hunt has a throw-in. Lee Chung-Yong gathers it in his control, Puncheon receives it in the box here, plays a soft, head-height ball towards Gayle - Leali gathers it. Leali launches a ball out right to Fisher. Dombaxe faces up to Ward now, plays it inside to Arango. Fisher has the ball again in Crystal Palace's half now. Sends a superb cross in towards Fierro! He's got his head on it but it's over! Brilliant cross by Fisher there!
35': Leali takes the free-kick level with the centre-circle. Aims towards Jones but only finds the head of Guédioura. Chung-Yong gives the ball to Gayle - the only Crystal Palace body in the Oldham half at the moment. Guédioura now on the edge of the box, finds Chung-Yong, spots the run of Puncheon now... Wasted opportunity for Palace as he skies it, shortly followed by jeers from Oldham supporters.
37': Guédioura to take the free-kick on the halfway line. McArthur now. Here's Scott Dann with the ball. Puncheon receives the ball out right but is tackled by Simon Ford, the ball has found its way to Arango who bursts forward with the ball close under control. McArthur makes a great challenge and its Ward on the ball now. Piazón now on the left. McArthur to Guédioura. He's tried to find the run of Puncheon but Ford blocks off his path and now its Walsh with the ball for Oldham. Ford plays it up his side to Joshua King, he's turned and found Carlos Fierro on the halfway line, he pounces on the ball and charges at the Palace defence at pace. He's cut across goal on the edge of the box now... Takes a shot which is blocked and is now at Guédioura's feet somehow.
45': Arango has a free-kick very much in Arango territory here. He's looking across the goal to try spot weaknesses. A five-man wall lines up inside the box... Arango runs up... It's in! It's a goal! It's an Arango special! He's curled it past Hennessey and found the top-left corner! What a goal from the Colombian international, that's what heroes are made of!
Jhon Wilmar Arango has drawn Oldham level in the Capital One Cup Final!
45': Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Oldham Athletic
45+2': The referee calls time on an excellent first half at Wembley here.
HT: Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Oldham Athletic
46': Fierro kicks off the second half at Wembley now, passing it to Arango from kick-off. Crystal Palace have brought on Joe Ledley for Adlene Guédioura.
48': Ward has a free-kick in his own half for Palace. He's taken no risks and passed it short to Lucas Piazón. Passed back to Ward, Norwegian centre-back Brede Hangeland has it now. He's launched it long towards Gayle, but only finds the head of Joe Walsh. Chung-Yong gets it under control now. Spreads the play to the left-wing with Piazón receiving the ball who's hit it 20 yards back to Hangeland. The play switches over to the right with Puncheon on the ball now, a pass towards Chung-Yong is intercepted by Welshman Walsh. Ford gives it back to Walsh. Jones now has it, hits a long ball to Norwegian winger Joshua King. He can't turn for Hunt bearing down on him so it goes back to Ford. Now it's Arango on the halfway line, King now receives it in a bit more space. He's shown a wonderful burst of pace there and he's gained at least 20 yards just from that run. Fierro now has it facing goal on the edge of the box. He runs across the edge, looking for options. He's had a shot that's always heading wide.
55': Arango has another free-kick in another threatening area, he will shoot from here. It's another five-man wall set up by the keeper Wayne Hennessey, Arango lines up his shot now... But this time he's skied it. Poor effort from the Colombian. Hennessey takes the goal kick and launches it up in doing so. Ford beats Puncheon to the header and it's fallen to King. Hunt tackles but the result ends up in Oldham's favour with Sharples on the ball here. Hunt tackles and this time keeps possession in the Oldham half now. Ford makes a great tackle and may set up a counter attack here. Arango tries to find King but it's intercepted by Puncheon, covering for Hunt. He's blasted the ball back to his keeper, Hennessey, who again boots it high and long into the Oldham half, this time Walsh winning the header. McArthur has it now, with pressure from young Dominic Sharples. Here's Joe Ledley, feeds it into Chung-Yong. A through ball to Gayle! He's through! Saved magnificently by the great Italian Nicola Leali! Walsh clears up the rebound.
58': Arango to take the free-kick in a lesser threatening position now. Dann heads away the cross. Arango regains possession and plays it to King, now Fierro. A shot is blocked and it's rolled out for a corner for Oldham here. It gives time for the injured Joshua King to be replaced by Dutch wonderkid Zakaria Bakkali. Arango to take the corner here. Vallejo nods it down for a Bakkali volley! Saved by the Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey. Good technique from the substitute though. Hennessey's kick has found Piazón, who's given it to Gayle now - bearing down on the young Oldham defence. He's found Lee Chung-Yong's run! Offside.
60': Jason Puncheon is replaced by Yannick Bolasie.
67': Simon Ford begins his run up at the advertising boards, preparing for one of his trademark long, flat throws into the penalty area. Not much threat this time as Hennessey catches the ball with ease. He attempts to find lone striker Gayle with a long pass, but instead finds Joe Walsh's head. Dominic Sharples skips past McArthur's challenge and has given himself a lot of time to study his options in the final third now. Fierro is the option Sharples has opted for, Ledley tackles but has found the feet of Fisher on the right, who puts a cross in first time... It's gone deep to the far post, Bakkali runs towards the path of the ball.. Cleared by Hangeland! That was an extremely important clearance from the Norwegian there! Arango to take the corner. It's low and easy pickings for Hangeland to clear.
72': Alex Pearce replaces the fatigued Jesús Vallejo for Oldham, Crystal Palace bring on Pape Souaré
82': Souaré takes the throw-in, finds Lee Chung-Yong with it. McArthur to Hangeland now. Souaré knocks it all the way back to Hennessey, tries to find Ledley but Pearce heads away. Hangeland out wide to Piazón now, he's tried to switch play but can only find Simon Ford. Shocking pass. Sharples to Fierro now, he's found his team-mate Bakkali with a gorgeous long pass out left. Bakkali makes his way into the box and he's put a beautiful cross in towards the back post here... Dombaxe meets it! It's a goal! Laste Dombaxe is the cup final hero! He's got the beating of his marker Pape Souaré and slotted in the finish at the far post! Excellent vision by Bakkali to find the Angolan, but all Oldham have to do now is defend for their lives.
Oldham take the lead at Wembley with eight minutes remaining!
82': Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Oldham Athletic
84': McArthur swings in a corner - cleared at the near post by Mike Jones. Piazón hits it on the volley! Saved by Leali! Great catch. Leali boots it forward, Ledley wins the header and it's with Piazón now. Fouled by Darnell Fisher. Yellow card for the former Celtic man. McArthur hits Souaré with the free-kick and its back at the halfway line - fortunately there's now threat up top to take advantage. McArthur finds Ward's head on the edge of the box, although it's nodded down to Oldham's Sharples. Here's Dombaxe. Back to Alex Pearce now, all the way back to the start with Leali. Excellent kick by the Italian to find Dombaxe in Palace's half! Ledley tackles the Angolan winger. Souaré's clearance goes as far as Joe Walsh on the halfway line in acres of space to operate. Ford now. Bakkali takes the pass down under control well, he's found Arango with his back to goal, wonderful ball inside to Fierro! He's one-on-one with Hennessey, it's got to be! It is! That's it! That's the winner! Mexican striker Carlos Fierro has buried it and the fixture along with the goal! Just hand over the cup now why don't you!
It's now 3-1 all thanks to Carlos Fierro!
84': Crystal Palace 1 - 3 Oldham Athletic
88': Piazón takes the throw-in, only finds the head of Fisher. It's at the feet of Jones now. Here's Sharples, the body of a youngster, the experience of a seasoned pro. Arango now. Feeds in Fierro on the edge of the box, fires a shot towards goal only to find the hands of Hennessey.
89': Wilson Palacios comes on for Mike Jones.
90': Arango has a free-kick out wide, bodies in the box for Oldham. Whipped in by the Colombian. Walsh gets a head on it... Sharples gets a head on it! Hits the post! Unlucky for Oldham, the could've had a fourth there!
90+4': McArthur puts a ball into the middle from the corner, Arango heads away confidently. Bakkali turns, finds Fierro who only has Dombaxe up with him. Excellent ball to find Dombaxe - evading the attempts of Souaré. A cross is then blocked by Souaré, McArthur blasts a ball up the field. He knows he has lost this game. And that's it! It's all over!
Oldham Athletic are continuing their excellent season by bagging the League Cup! That means they're in Europe next season! The board have a lot to thank Scholes for, as he runs towards the 40,000 Oldham fans packed into Wembley today - they love him - everyone loves him!
FT: Crystal Palace 1 - 3 Oldham Athletic
Interviewer: Paul! Paul! Scholes! Mr. Scholes! Can we have a quick interview?!
Scholes: Haha! Sure mate!
Interviewer: That performance was really something wasn't it? These players have just had their biggest advertisement to the world as of now, am I right in thinking that?
Scholes: Oh, absolutely! I might look very happy on the outside now, but by God, inside, I'm almost about to burst with pride. After everything I've been through, and especially how the players reacted to the situation with Scholes, today just shows the intimate family atmosphere within the club, just look at these lads celebrating altogether, even the youth team are here, look. That's what we're about now. Being a team.
Interviewer: Absolutely. Jhon Arango won Man of the Match today according to the national viewers on here - what did you make of his performance?
Scholes: The boy's a star. He is a star and will continue to be a bigger star in the future. Trust me, this boy will get to the very top of the game - whether that's with us or someone else, I don't know, but today has just shown a national audience just what that boy is capable of. That free-kick? Does it every week, every day in training. It's extremely difficult stuff that he does with ease! He's got a future has that boy.
Interviewer: A few players sourcing from your youth team played today, what did you make of them?
Scholes: That's all down to the incredible infrastructure and attention that our academy workers have given all these past few years, and Dean Holden, although he's gone had a massive impact on these players' careers. Simon [Ford] and Dom [Sharples] both got 90 minutes today and Bhavin [Mandora] and Conor [Parkin] were on the bench, two of them are seventeen and the other two are sixteen. That's incredible and it's why I'm going to be here for a long time. I want to help these players grow into superstars.
Interviewer: This win means you will be playing in the Europa League next season, promotion or not. Are you excited for that?
Scholes: Am I excited? Jesus man, that's an understatement. I played in Europe pretty much every season of my playing career, and it's brilliant that some of these players will experience what I did, they really deserve it as well. This season has proven what we can achieve with a bit of money thrown in, thanks to the chairman, if we get to the top-flight, our spending will multiply, and who knows what we can achieve then?
Interviewer: Ok Paul, congratulations on winning the cup, and thank you for speaking to us.
Scholes: Thank you too!
and it was quite straightforward for me, just like any other transfer but whether it's a case of if you bought him in a different transfer window I don't know?
The Scholes family at the Class of '92 UK Premiere in the Winter of 2013
Paul with Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane back in their playing-days
Oldham chairman Simon Corney has visited Scholes in hospital to arrange a 'temporary leave' from the club
Xavi declared Scholes as 'the greatest English midfielder ever'
Sir Alex Ferguson has paid a visit to his friend Scholes in hospital
Paul Gascoigne skips past a Paul Scholes tackle
Scholes' close friend will take over from previous assistant manager Dean Holden.
Andre Wisdom celebrates his volley in the 26th minute
