In October 2004, Jose Mourinho picked a strong Chelsea side that included Ricardo Carvalho, William Gallas, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole for his first League Cup tie in English football against West Ham. It started an unlikely love affair with the competition that now leaves him just three matches away from joining Brian Clough and Sir Alex Ferguson as the most successful managers in its history.
Mourinho has won the League Cup in its different guises three times and will be confident of overcoming semi-final opponents Hull City, with the first leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, to set up a Wembley final with either Liverpool or Southampton.