A brilliant individual display by teenager Harley Mills inspired Peterborough and boss Darren Ferguson to more Vertu Trophy success with a shock 2-0 victory over Birmingham at Wembley.
The all-conquering Blues had sealed promotion from Sky Bet League One with a win away to Posh on Tuesday before they clinched the title on Saturday after Wrexham dropped points.
It meant a party atmosphere greeted Birmingham at Wembley, but they were stunned after 19-year-old left-back Mills struck a wonderful free-kick in the 15th minute before Hector Kyprianou’s stunner on the stroke of half-time ensured Peterborough defended their title on a record-breaking occasion.
Posh, who are 16th in League One, became the first team to win this tournament back-to-back and Ferguson – who lifted silverware for a fourth time at the club – celebrated being the first manager to win the English Football League Trophy on three occasions.
Wembley was host to several stars with Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady rubbing shoulders with Peterborough’s larger-than-life director of football Barry Fry, who managed the Blues during the 1990s.
A raft of changes were made by both managers following a close battle on Tuesday night, but Chris Davies made only five, while counterpart Ferguson made seven alterations to his team.
Davies did recall 23-goal hitman Jay Stansfield and he went close early on before Kwame Poku won Peterborough a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Mills, who had started the campaign on loan at National League South club Enfield, stood over the set-piece and produced a sensational left-footed strike into the top corner to send the Posh fans into delirium after quarter of an hour.
Birmingham responded strongly with penalty appeals for Ethan Laird waved away and Mills made a crucial block to deny Kieran Dowell, minutes before half-time.
It would prove crucial as with seconds of the first-half left, Peterborough went 2-0 up through captain Kyprianou.
Mills was again involved as his dangerous cross was flicked on by Ricky-Jade Jones and Kyprianou was on hand to rifle the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.
Kyprianou celebrated in front of the silenced Birmingham supporters, but Davies reacted at the break with Alfie May introduced.
Stansfield had Blues’ first shot on target saved by Jed Steer soon after, before Laird had another spot-kick appeal ignored when he grappled with Kyprianou.
Steer was alert again to thwart a free-kick by Dowell before Stansfield did have the ball in the net with six minutes left, but it was ruled out for offside.
The Birmingham faithful received a lift when 11 minutes of stoppage-time was added on and Lukas Jutkiewicz was introduced to big applause.
But Steer saved his volley to ensure the day belonged to Peterborough and Ferguson, who upset the odds to savour another memorable Wembley triumph.
'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day WinRoma boss Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his delight after his side’s 1-0 opening day victory over Bologna, insisting the result "bodes well" for the season ahead.The 67-year-old joined Roma after an impressive nine years with Serie A rivals Atalanta at the end of last season.Roma hosted Bologna in t...
'Not a Season-Defining Game' – Leeds' Farke Not Worried Despite Arsenal HumblingLeeds boss Daniel Farke insists the heavy defeat to Arsenal is 'not a season-defining game' and remains confident despite the heavy Premier League 5-0 defeat on Saturday (August 23).The West Yorkshire club were brought back down to Earth having earned an important 1-0 win over Everton in their first game back in ...
‘Milan cannot keep conceding such soft goals’ - Allegri Left Frustrated After Shock Opening Day DefeatMassimiliano Allegri voiced his frustration after Milan’s shock 2-1 Serie A opening day defeat to Cremonese on Saturday (August 23), criticising his side for conceding 'soft goals'.Federico Baschirotto, 28, opened the scoring for the visitors after Strahinja Pavlovic’s mist...
DONE DEAL: Arsenal Confirm 360m Signing of Eberechi Eze After Tottenham Transfer HijackArsenal have announced the 360m signing of Eberechi Eze, completing the deal after hijacking Tottenham’s transfer pursuit.The 27-year-old had reportedly agreed personal terms over a move from Crystal Palace to Tottenham before Arsenal swooped in to hijack the deal.Eze is now officially an Arsenal player, s...
Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Gives Worrying Injury Updates on Bukayo Saka and Martin OdegaardArsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a concerning update on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard following their 5-0 Premier League win over Leeds on Saturday (August 23).Odegaard, 26, was the first to go off, replaced by wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri in the 38th minute due to an apparent shoulder problem.The 23-ye...
Elche's Uruguayan midfielder Federico Redondo fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid's English midfielder Conor Gallagher (right)Elche gained their first away point against Atletico Madrid since October 1968, as Rafa Mir cancelled out an early strike from Alexander Sorloth at the Metropolitano Stadium, keeping Diego Simeone’s men winless after two rounds of LaLiga action (D1, L1).With the ...
Aston Villa Make Contact with Chelsea Over Christopher Nkunku DealAston Villa have reportedly made contact with Chelsea regarding a potential deal to sign forward Christopher Nkunku before the end of the transfer window.The 27-year-old is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after falling down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca last season.Villa boss Unai Emery called for the club to ma...
Inter Miami sign Silvetti from Newell's Old BoysInter Miami have completed the signing of Mateo Silvetti, one of Argentina’s brightest Under-20 prospects, from Newell’s Old Boys.Tottenham launch El Khannouss bidTottenham Hotspur have launched a bid to sign Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss just when Crystal Palace believed they had convinced the youngster to join them.Fernandes wa...
Conor Coady WrexhamWrexham are still searching for their first Championship win of the season as they succumbed to an immense fightback from troubled Sheffield Wednesday.TELL ME MORESummer signing Kieffer Moore scored twice as the Red Dragons led 2-0 at half time in their quest for a maiden victory back in the second tier following last season's promotion from League One.But Wrexham were stunned b...
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier LeagueThomas Frank has hailed former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for providing the inspiration behind Tottenham's convincing win over Manchester City. WHAT HAPPENED?A thrilling afternoon for Tottenham, who enjoyed a convincing win away at Manchester CIty and after the match Spurs boss Frank admitted that he drew his tactical inspiration from Jurgen Klo...
- 1 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 2 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 3 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 4 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 5 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 6 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 7 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 8 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 9 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 10 Sevilla Set Price for Man United Target as Club Seek Baleba Alternatives