Final ratings go through the roof

The Worthington Cup received a massive boost today when viewing figures for Sunday's match rated it more popular than last year's FA Cup Final.

The shock audience is a huge plus for the Football League and ITV after criticism of the competition - most notably from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

More people watched the Tottenham against Blackburn build-up, match and postgame analysis than they did for last year's FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Liverpool.

The average number of people watching the overall programme on Sunday was 5.6 million, peaking at 6.8m during the game.

That average was 24,000 higher than the corresponding figure during the game last May. The FA Cup Final was also televised live on Sky.

It is the first time the former League Cup has come anywhere near the FA Cup Final in terms of TV viewing figures. There has been a gradual drop in interest in the FA Cup and last year's figure was the lowest ever.

A Football League spokesman said: "We are delighted with the way the Final has been received. Naturally we're pleased so many people watched it."

After the disappointment at Sunday's defeat under the Cardiff roof, manager Glenn Hoddle has decided to get tough with his Spurs players.

He is refusing to allow goalkeeper Kasey Keller to play for the United States and miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on Sunday week.

After seeing his side blow their chance of a UEFA Cup place, Hoddle has taken a firm line over his reserve keeper's availability for the USA's friendlies against Honduras and Ecuador.

Winning the FA Cup is now Spurs' only realistic European option and Hoddle's crackdown signals his determination not to end the season without a trophy.

The decision is a bitter disappointment for Keller, who was hoping to seal his World Cup place with a good display.

Keller, who can now only play against Honduras, said: "The club is cutting my time short so I can come back and sit on the bench against Manchester United (6 March) and Chelsea."

Meanwhile, the Football Association has charged Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco and Blackburn manager Graeme Souness with misconduct.

Taricco's charge follows an incident with Mario Melchiot in Spurs' Worthington Cup semi-final win over Chelsea last month. Souness has been charged for his behaviour towards referee Graham Barber after Blackburn's FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough.

The man who has to lift gloom at Spurs
Football Notebook