Manchester United won the League Cup with a 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Tottenham on Sunday that kept the English league leader on course for an unprecedented five trophies this season. After a 0-0 draw through extra time that both teams had chances to win, United goalkeeper Ben Foster saved Tottenham's first shootout kick from Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley missed the third before Anderson hit the winner. The victory gave United its second trophy of the season following December's Club World Cup title. The Red Devils, who also lead the Premier League by seven points, are in contention for the Champions League and play Fulham in the FA Cup quarterfinals next weekend. “We're not going to get carried away with it,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “We'll keep our feet on the ground. A deflected shot goes off someone's backside at Fulham on Wednesday and you're out of the cup. Today proved that. “Without Ben Foster, we'd have lost that.” Foster made two crucial saves during the match to deny Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent and prevent defending champion Tottenham from retaining the trophy. But United could have also won the match in regular time when Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored in the shootout alongside Giggs and Carlos Tevez, hit the post in injury time. Aston Villa's chances of qualifying for the Champions League were dented on Sunday when the home side squandered a two-goal lead in the final minutes against Stoke to draw 2-2 at Villa Park. Villa took the lead in the last minute of the first half, when Stilian Petrov's shot was fumbled by Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen. Sorensen, playing against his former club, was replaced at the interval by Steve Simonsen. The home side dominated in the second period but didn't extend their lead until the 79th minute, when Norway striker John Carew's shot found the top corner. Stoke's comeback began in the 88th minute, when Ryan Shawcross headed in James Beattie's cross. The visitors then stunned Villa when Glenn Whelan scored with an astonishing half-volley in the first minute of injury time. The result means Villa remains fourth, in the final Champions League slot, three points behind Liverpool in third and sixth points clear of Arsenal, which is fifth. Stoke stays 19th, below Middlesbrough on goal difference. West Ham moved up to seventh after a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Upton Park on Sunday. The Hammers were the better side in the first half and their stylish play finally produced a goal in the 71st minute, when City keeper Shay Given could only parry Savio's shot and Jack Collison turned in the rebound. Blackburn moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference with a 2-1 win at Hull, a fiery game that saw both sides reduced to 10 men. Bolton is 10th after a 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Reebok. Inter draws with Roma League leader Inter Milan needed a late goal from substitute Hernan Crespo to salvage a 3-3 draw at home to AS Roma in Italy's Serie A on Sunday. The result means Inter's lead has been trimmed by two points over the weekend. Jose Mourinho's side has 60 points, Juventus, which beat Napoli 1-0 on Saturday, is second with 53, AC Milan has 48 in third place and Fiorentina is fourth with 46. Earlier in the day AC Milan slipped even further behind Inter and Juventus in the title race after losing 2-1 to Sampdoria. Antonio Cassano gave the Genoa side the lead in the first half, and Gianpaolo Pazzini doubled it early in the second. Alexandre Pato scored in the 80th minute to give Milan some hope, and Emerson had a goal disallowed. Fiorentina and Genoa, the two teams chasing the fourth Champions League qualification place, both failed to win. Fiorentina drew 1-1 at last-place Reggina, with Emiliano Bonnazzoli's goal equalizing Alessio Sestu's opener for Reggina. Genoa was unable to breakdown stubborn defending by Siena in their 0-0 draw. Also Sunday, it was: Atalanta 0, Chievo Verona 2; Cagliari 0, Torino 0; Palermo 0, Catania 4; and Udinese 2, Lecce 0.
