Middlesbrough make final date

Middlesbrough FC will play Bolton Wanderers FC in the English League Cup final after defeating Arsenal FC 2-1 tonight and 3-1 on aggregate.

UEFA Cup place
The final will be played in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 29 February, with the winners securing a place in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup. Bolton reached the final with a 5-4 aggregate success against Aston Villa FC last week.

First-leg lead
In a tie that what originally scheduled to be completed last Wednesday but was postponed due to adverse weather conditions in the north-east of England, Middlesbrough kicked off seeking to defend their 1-0 lead from the first leg at Highbury two weeks ago.

Professional foul
The visitors began the match the brighter, with Edu sending a powerful shot just wide, but Middlesbrough gradually came more into the match. Italian striker Massimo Maccarone missed two great opportunities to extend the home side's overall advantage, but when the striker burst clear shortly before half-time, he was hauled down by Martin Keown and the Arsenal central defender was shown a red card.

Composed finish
The home side made their numerical advantage count midway through the second half, as a slick move enabled Gaizka Mendieta to send Boudewijn Zenden clear, and the Dutch midfield player kept his cool to lift the ball over Graham Stack.

Late clincher
The lead lasted only eight minutes, as Edu scrambled Arsenal level from a corner to put the tie back in the balance but, with Arsène Wenger's side forced to push forward in search of the goal that would have taken the match into extra time, Middlesbrough were able to exploit the extra space. Substitute Stuart Parnaby's shot five minutes from time deflected into the net off Arsenal's new signing José Antonio Reyes and secured Middlesbrough – who have never won a major trophy – a place in their third League Cup final in eight years.