Brad Friedel
Brilliantly denied Ferdinand three times. Twice in the first half, and crucially minutes after Cole had claimed the winner.

Martin Taylor
Looked composed on the ball and grew in stature as the game wore on. Ziege caused him plenty of problems by foraging purposefully down his flank.

Henning Berg
Made up for some poor passing to block a goal-bound Ziege shot before the Spurs midfielder equalised. Dreadful mistake put Poyet through and was lucky to escape.

Nils-Eric Johansson
Ferdinand's explosive pace caused headaches for him and partner Berg. Grew in confidence as the game wore on getting more and more to grips with the Spurs striker.

Stig Inge Bjornebye
Whistled a left-footed thunderbolt just over the crossbar moments after Spurs had equalised. Managed to keep Anderton relatively quiet.

Keith Gillespie
Good opening to the game when his pace caused the Spurs defence problems. Reneged on defensive duties leaving his right-back exposed on occasions.

David Dunn
One delightfully disguised first half pass let Duff test Sullivan. Worked well in tandem with Hughes in the centre of midfield for Rovers.

Mark Hughes
The wily 38-year-old veteran knew the Millennium pitch well and kept possession in the first period. Lucky to get away with rash challenge on Anderton.

Damien Duff
Electric pace had Taricco back pedalling throughout. Stung Sullivan's fingertips straight after Jansen's opener and was a good outlet for Bjornebye.

Andy Cole
Shot straight at Sullivan when fed by the impressive Jansen moments before half-time. Cleverly put Blackburn ahead for the second time with a clinical right foot finish.

Matt Jansen
Excellent. Won a header which helped set up a cool finish for the opening goal. Nearly had another moments later before perserverance set Cole's winner up.

Substitutes:

Yordi
(Replaced Jansen after 74 minutes) Mystifyingly replaced Jansen with 16 minutes to go. Powered a header over the bar from a Duff free-kick before having a certain goal blocked.

Craig Hignett
(Replaced Gillespie after 77 minutes) Was introduced by Souness to give more protection to Taylor. Was unable to get into the match.

Tottenham:

Neil Sullivan
Saved well from Duff after Jansen had poked the ball through his legs for the opener. No real chance with both Rovers goals.

Chris Perry
Some uncomfortable early moments and struggled to get to grips with Jansen in particular. Held off well by Cole for winner.

Ledley King
Cole and Jansen caused him plenty of problems with their clever movement. Made the mistake which handed Blackburn cup glory.

Ben Thatcher
Superbly stopped Jansen doubling Rovers advantage soon after Blackburn took the lead. Similarly denied Yordi a dream start.

Mauricio Taricco
Lost concentration at times and found Duff more than a handful. Was replaced by Hoddle after needlessly getting himself booked.

Darren Anderton
Quiet opening half and was unable to impose any authority on the game whatsoever. Hughes and Dunn kept the England international on the periphery.

Tim Sherwood
Took his frustration out on Cole with a reckless challenge immediately after Rovers grabbed the lead. Never able to prompt an equaliser.

Gustavo Poyet
Played Ferdinand in twice in the opening half for the goal and a crucial missed opening. Should have put Tottenham ahead on the hour.

Christian Ziege
Nearly scored with a right-foot curler after only four minutes. Delightfully accepted his equaliser before he was involved less and less.

Teddy Sheringham
Surprisingly poor opening half exemplified by plenty of misplaced passes. One trademark step over nearly put Poyet through and had a late penalty appeal refused.

Les Ferdinand
Made up for missing gilt-edged opening after 19 minutes by crafting the Spurs equaliser. Was then twice denied by vital Friedel stops.

Substitutes:

Simon Davies
(Replaced Taricco after 79 minutes) First throw of the dice as Hoddle strove to save the cup for Spus. Introduced far too late to utilise his skills.

Steffen Iversen
(Replaced Poyet after 84 minutes) Thrown on at the end to partner Ferdinand as the ineffectual Sheringham dropped further back.