Many had tipped the 2008-09 campaign to be one to remember for Manchester United.
Having won a Premier League and Champions League double the season before, Sir Alex Ferguson's side had embarked on a quest to lift five trophies.
The first was the Club World Cup - a trophy that United won courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Ecuadorian side LDU Quito in the final in Japan.
Next up was the final of the League Cup five years ago today, which the Red Devils reached courtesy of a semi-final success over Derby County.
Standing in their way at Wembley was a Tottenham Hotspur side who had won the competition at the expense of Chelsea 12 months earlier.
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However, the holders were on the back foot during the early exchanges as United made all the running. They were largely limited to efforts from distance, though, as shots from Darron Gibson and Rio Ferdinand just missed the target.
As the half wore on, Spurs gained a foothold on proceedings and just moments after the restart, the North Londoners' domination prompted Ferguson to take off young striker Danny Welbeck and introduce another midfielder into his lineup in the form of Anderson.
The change in tactics almost had an immediate effect as Jonny Evans's scuffed shot was flicked on by Carlos Tevez, but the ball bounced inches wide of the upright.
Then, in the 66th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo invited contact from Tottenham defender Ledley King inside the area, which duly arrived. Nevertheless, referee Chris Foy cautioned the United playmaker for simulation, rather than award a penalty.
Up the other end, United's stand-in goalkeeper Ben Foster was called into action 20 minutes from time as Aaron Lennon saw his powerful drive from close range pushed away from danger.
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In the dying seconds, it appeared that Ronaldo was about to win the cup for United when, having cut inside from the right, his low shot beat Heurelho Gomes, only for the ball to cannon to safety off the post.
As tiredness kicked into the legs of the players, chances were limited during the 30-minute extra-time period. Darren Bent had Spurs' best effort, which was stopped by Foster, while Gomes got the better of United full-back Patrice Evra.
So, penalties would be required to determine who would win 49th League Cup final. Substitute Ryan Giggs got United off to the perfect start when he scored the opening kick from 12 yards. Foster continued his positive form by saving from Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara, before Tevez and Vedran Corluka exchanged successful efforts.
Ronaldo then put United 3-1 in front, only for David Bentley to shoot wide for Tottenham. It meant that Anderson was on hand to complete the formalities for United, who won the tournament for a third time.
MAN UNITED: Foster; O'Shea (Vidic), Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes, Gibson (Giggs), Nani; Tevez, Welbeck (Anderson)
SPURS: Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Bentley), Jenas (Bale), Zokora, Modric; Bent, Pavlyuchenko (O'Hara)
Liam Apicella
