Peterborough Stun Birmingham to Retain Vertu Trophy in historic win

Peterborough United created history at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, April 13th, becoming the first club ever to retain the Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy) with a stunning 2-0 upset victory over newly-crowned League One champions Birmingham City.

Despite Birmingham being crowned league champions just 24 hours earlier and being heavy favourites, Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough side produced a determined and clinical performance. Nineteen-year-old Harley Mills, a former Aston Villa youth player who spent time on loan in non-league earlier this season, opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a sensational 30-yard free-kick that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.

Peterborough captain Hector Kyprianou doubled the lead on the stroke of halftime. Mills was involved again, his cross eventually finding Kyprianou on the edge of the area, and the midfielder blasted an unstoppable first-time shot into the top corner, becoming the first Cypriot to score at Wembley.

Birmingham, backed by around 50,000 fans, started brightly with Jay Stansfield missing an early chance, but they struggled to break down a resolute Peterborough defence thereafter. Keshi Anderson blazed over a good opportunity early in the second half, and while Stansfield did put the ball in the net late on, it was correctly disallowed for offside. Peterborough goalkeeper Jed Steer made several saves, including denying Stansfield and a late Lukas Jutkiewicz effort, while Ricky-Jade Jones and Kwame Poku missed chances to extend Posh’s lead.

The victory marks a third Vertu Trophy win for manager Darren Ferguson (2014, 2024, 2025 – all with Peterborough), making him the first manager in the competition’s history to achieve this feat. Peterborough also maintained their 100% winning record at Wembley, now standing at five victories from five appearances.

“We’ve made a bit of history,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “Birmingham are a top team… one of the best teams that League One has seen… but today was our day. The first goal was always going to be key and the two pieces of quality from Harley and Hector were the difference.”

For Birmingham manager Chris Davies, it was a disappointing end to a week that saw them secure promotion and the league title. “It wasn’t our best day. It was obviously Peterborough’s day,” he said. “Suffering is part of life, part of football… we do have to grow from it and we will do.”

While Peterborough celebrate their historic cup success, their focus must return to securing their League One status, as they sit just six points above the relegation zone. Birmingham, despite the cup final defeat, will look forward to celebrating their league title and preparing for a return to the Championship.