Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara admits the offer of a new contract helped him get over the disappointment of Wembley defeat.
After being left out of Juande Ramos' squad for last season's Carling Cup final, the England Under-21 international suffered further anguish this year, missing his spot kick as the holders lost 4-1 on penalies to Manchester United.
But O'Hara revealed the offer of a new deal the very next day by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and boss Harry Redknapp was the perfect antidote to the Wembley defeat.
"To miss was a big disappointment," O'Hara told The Sun.
"When I got off the bus from our team hotel the following day, the manager and the chairman took me to a room and said not to worry about the penalty.
"They said they wanted me to have a new deal. It really lifted me."