Foster: Premier League safety now the priority
Foster followed up his man-of-the-match performance for Manchester United in the win over Tottenham two years ago by collecting the same award for his showing against the Gunners.
The England keeper pulled off a string of fine saves before Obafemi Martins grabbed a last-gasp winner to earn Blues only the second major trophy in their history.
Victory has also clinched a place in Europe for City who are still in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where they will entertain Bolton.
But Foster knows any euphoria will quickly disappear if Alex McLeish’s side fail to cling onto their top-flight status.
Significantly, Birmingham have delayed any parading of the cup to their fans until next Sunday — the day after a vital meeting with fellow strugglers West Brom at St Andrew’s.
Foster said: “To win a cup in my first season here is amazing. We are also in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup; it is a tough match (against Bolton), and we’d love to come back to Wembley again.
“But we need to take this win, and the confidence that comes with it, into the remaining Premier League fixtures.
“We can’t be playing in Europe next season but also the Championship. It is kind of unthinkable.’’
Foster was also Manchester United’s hero in the Carling Cup final win over Tottenham in 2009 but admits the success against the Gunners was more satisfying.
He believes Birmingham’s never-say-die spirit was a key factor.
Foster said: “Going into cup finals and big games with United, you are expected to win trophies and matches.
“With a team like Birmingham, it is against all odds and we are not expected to win.
“It was a great achievement to get to the final but to win the trophy against a team like Arsenal is amazing.
“Arsenal can have all the quality players they’ve got but when you come up against the team spirit we’ve got, it counts for a lot.
“Everyone was saying all week that it’s a ‘gimme’ that Arsenal are going to win the trophy.
“We kind of ignored all that. We knew we had a chance. It was just 90 minutes of football and we had to perform like we do — and we did.”
For his part, Blues boss Alex McLeish admits Birmingham will have to strengthen their squad to cope with the demands of Europe after their shock success.
He said: “Initially I had forgotten we were in Europe because in Scotland, you don’t get into Europe after winning the League Cup.
“We are so proud to win the cup and get into Europe. But it’s not without its problems in terms of needing a strong squad to do that. We have to try and develop the squad further. We will need to strengthen.”
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