Blues lose the League Cup final on penalties

Birmingham City have lost the League Cup final to Liverpool on penalties, after a dramatic 1-1 draw at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 25 February.

Darren Purse scored a penalty in the last minute of normal time to cancel out Robbie Fowler's first-half goal and take the game to extra time. But Liverpool won the shoot-out 5-4 to take the trophy.

So close

For much of the game, it looked as if Blues' brave run would end in defeat. Fowler gave Liverpool the lead with a superb volley from long range after half an hour, and the Premiership side controlled much of the play.

But Blues kept fighting, and in the dying seconds of normal time they were awarded a penalty. Purse stepped up and scored, sending the Blues fans behind the goal into delirium.

Extra time brought no further goals, although both sides had chances. Blues had strong claims for a penalty turned down, and their players and fans were left furious.

Heartbreak in the shoot-out

The penalty shoot-out went to sudden death, and it was Liverpool who held their nerve. When the decisive kick was saved, the Blues players sank to the turf, while the Liverpool fans celebrated.

It was a cruel end to a memorable day for Blues, who were playing in their first major final since they won the League Cup in 1963.

A historic occasion

This was the first major cup final to be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which is hosting English finals while the old Wembley Stadium is rebuilt. A crowd of 73,500 filled the stadium, with Blues fans making up a large part of it.

The road to Cardiff

Blues' run to the final has been one of the stories of the season. As a First Division side, they beat three Premiership clubs on the way: Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Ipswich Town.

They beat Southend United and Wycombe Wanderers in the early rounds, before a 3-1 win at Tottenham. They beat Newcastle 2-1 at St Andrew's with a last-minute goal, and Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-final, Blues lost the first leg 1-0 at Ipswich, but turned it round with a 4-1 win after extra time in a thrilling second leg at St Andrew's, with Geoff Horsfield scoring twice.

Francis proud

Manager Trevor Francis, the former Blues striker who became Britain's first £1 million footballer, can be proud of his team. They have given the club's supporters a day they will never forget, even if it ended in disappointment.

The challenge now is to turn their attention back to the league, where they are pushing for a place in the play-offs. Promotion to the Premiership is the club's main goal, and Francis will be hoping his players can use the experience of the final to drive them on.

Thousands of fans are expected to welcome the team home, proud of what their club has achieved.