EFL DECIDED BY PENS

On this day in history, Liverpool showed signs of emerging from a "mid-90's" slump, winning the club's first silverware for six years, by winning The 2000–01 English Football League Cup. This tournament was known as the Worthington Cup, for sponsorship reasons and was the 41st staging of the Football League Cup, a knockout competition for England's top 92 football clubs, open only to those clubs that play in the English Football League. Below: Trophy of the competition when it was called "Milk Cup".

The original idea for a League Cup came from Stanley Rous, who saw the competition as a consolation for clubs who had already been knocked out of the FA Cup. However, it was not Rous who came to implement it, but Football League Secretary Alan Hardaker. Hardaker initially proposed the competition as a way for the clubs to make up for lost revenue due to a reduction in matches played, for when the league was to be reorganised. The reorganisation of the league was not immediately forthcoming; however, the cup competition was introduced regardless.

The trophy was paid for personally by Football League President Joe Richards, who was proud of the competition, and he had his own name engraved on it.

The competition began on 22 August 2000, and ended with the final on 25 February 2001 at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. Wembley Stadium had been closed for a rebuild.

The tournament was won by Liverpool, who beat Birmingham City 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw after extra-time. Robbie Fowler put Liverpool in front after half an hour but a Darren Purse penalty salvaged the game for Birmingham in the final minute of normal time.

25 February 2001
15:00

Birmingham City	1–1	Liverpool
Purse  90' (pen.)	Report	Fowler  30'

Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

Attendance: 73,500

Referee: David Elleray

Liverpool win 5–4 penalties

This edition was the last competition with two-legged ties in its first two rounds. BUT IT was the first English Final to be settled by spot kicks.

The 2007 League Cup Final between Chelsea and Arsenal also was played in Cardiff, for the last time, as Wembley's "renovation" had just been completed. Chelsea's, Didier Drogba, scored twice, counter acting Theo Walcott's first goal for Arsenal. John Terry had been knocked unconscious by the boot of Abou Diaby and an injury time brawl saw Emmanuel Adebayor sent off as this bad tempered clash reached its climax!