Tottenham Hotspurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson was not called upon to play in the Carling Cup semi-final and was replaced by Radek Cerny for the following 10 games but manager Juande Ramos put him back between the sticks in the week leading up to the Carling Cup Final and in the game at Wembley itself. The 28 year old goalkeeper did not look too good when Drogba scored the opening goal but then displayed his true talents by making many excellent saves, helping the Spurs ending their nine-year trophy drought.

 Although losing his spot for several weeks, Robinson never contemplated leaving the club. 'I've got four years left on my contract, I'm absolutely delighted to be here," he said. "I've never ever said anything other than that.”

Robinson suggested his performance was inspired by his son Jack, who has been ill. “My little boy has been poorly, he's four weeks old and has had bronchiolitis,” said Robinson.  “He's been in hospital so it's been a tough week for me off the field but on the field it's put things in perspective and helped my performances."

I'm not going to lie and say it's been an easy season for me. People know it's been a rough time for me but to go through the bad times makes me appreciate this even more. I knew I had the ability there, I was just pleased rather than surprised how things went.”

The stats seem to support Redknapp as we take a look at the Actim Index. David James leads the goalkeeper pack with a 13 point lead over Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia. Next are the two American goalkeepers Howard and Friedel and fifth on the list is Liverpool’s Reina. One more foreign goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar stands between James and the next British goalkeeper, Robert Green.

Top 5's

Almost three years since he last defended England’s goal, Portsmouth goalkeeper David James was called upon by England manager Fabio Capello to make his come back. He did well in England’s 2-1 win over Switzerland this week, and claims he still wants to be England’s number one goalkeeper at the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa, providing England will qualify for the tournament.

He would be nearing his 40^th birthday by then so when asked about it, he said:

"Can I be number one at 2010 World Cup? Let's take one step at a time - but I want to be. The situation is simple. I've got a contract with Portsmouth which sees me through that World Cup."

He added: "Look at (former Italy goalkeeper) Dino Zoff who is a legend. He played in the World Cup as a 'keeper at 40 and won it at that age. Listen, if I had any intentions of not being in the position to play in two and a half years' time, then I would have told him (Capello) 'I don't fancy it.' But if I'm playing first team football in the Premier League with Portsmouth, then I'd put myself in a position where I could play first team football for England. The only thing that is going to stop me is better goalkeepers. There are some very good English 'keepers about at the moment who are playing particularly well in the Premier League and some are very young. For me, the best 'keeper plays for England. If it is me then it will be a case of 'happy days' but, if it is not me, then it won't be for the lack of trying."

Czech National Team and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will continue to play with protective gear for many years to come, according to a statement given to a Czech newspaper. The 25 year old goalkeeper, by many regarded as one of the world's best, suffered a fracture to his skull in October of 2006 after colliding with Stephen Hunt in a league game versus Reading. Ever since Cech wears an 80-gram specially constructed 'helmet' for protection. "Because of the previous fracture no one can guarantee me that it will not fracture again. The helmet gives me the extra protection I need and I expect to be wearing it for many seasons." According to Petr himself.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer hopped on a plane almost immediately after he and his team played Newcastle on Sunday,  only to arrive in Melbourne on the eve of Australia’s World Cup qualifier against Qatar, in which he is expected to start. He will only be able to attend one training session later today when he joins his the other socceroos at the Telstra Dome. His back-up is expected to be Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Ante Covic. "It’s very tight, and obviously it's not the ideal conditions for a game. I was just speaking to the manager, I'm thinking I'll pull up with no problems and it shouldn't be an issue," he said.

He also added that he wants to continue playing until the 2010 World Cup in South-Africa. "Getting towards the end of the last World Cup campaign, the feeling and atmosphere at the tournament was so unbelievable, that's something I want to experience again. I think it's important to set yourself some sort of long-term goal and for me that was the ideal goal I could set myself."

Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan has been turned down for a work permit by British authorities. The 23 year old MLS goalkeeper of the Year had his mind set on joining English Premier League squad Aston Villa in a deal believed to be worth just over $2,000,000.00. Villa manager Martin O'Neill was clearly disappointed that Guzan wouldn't be joining his team. He said: 'We're very disappointed with the outcome as we were really looking forward to Brad joining us but unfortunately it wasn't to be.' A statement was released by Aston VIlla stating: 'The proposed transfer of American goalkeeper Brad Guzan from Chivas USA has been cancelled after the player's work permit application was turned down.'  Guzan has been linked with many European top clubs after appearing in the Milk Cup in 2003. The Illinois born goalkeeper played his youth soccer at the Chicago Magic and then played two years of college ball at the University of South Carolina before leaving college early to enter the 2005 MLS Super Draft where he became the second overall pick.

Arsene Wenger and the Gunners have sent scouts to watch Vitesse Arnhem’s goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen. The 21-year old Dutch goalkeeper is rated as one of Europe’s biggest talents and is being followed by many top teams including Dutch side Feyenoord. Arsenal are looking to bring in a new goalie now that it seems evident that Jens Lehmann is leaving the club. Their scouts watched Velthuizen play in his team’s draw against Ajax yesterday, a game also featured highly rated goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Columbian goalkeeper Rene Higuita is coming back to play. The 41 year old, nick-named El Loco, signed a contract with Deportivo Rionegro, a second division team. The Columbian was not only famous for his open friendship with Pable Escobar but gained world fame by using the ‘scorpion-kick’ at Wembley in 1995. Click here to watch the clip of this amazing save.

“We have given a no to their offer,” Elfsborg’s sporting director Stefan Andreasson said. “I don’t want to comment on a price but we have said no to City’s offer. We are not warning them off our goalkeeper – it is completely up to them whether they change their offer.”

Just yesterday Brad Guzan played in the US 2-0 victory game over Sweden and today he has boarded a plane for Scotland. The 23 year old goalkeeper will try to impress Celtic manager Gordon Strachan this week to finalize a move to the Scottish Great, a deal believed to be worth about $2,000,000.00. His name has also been linked with Arsenal and when asked about Celtic he said: "It's always exciting when a great club such as Celtic are interested in you. Of course, I know all about the club - they are a world-renowned team with a fabulous history. "