They were first in Group A .
After beating Group C winners Manchester City 2 -- 1 in the semi-finals , they beat club rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1 -- 0 in the play - off final on 17 May 2009 at White Hart Lane .
They were first in Group A and after beating Group C winners Manchester City 2 -- 1 in the semi-finals , they beat club rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1 -- 0 in the play - off final on 17 May 2009 at White Hart Lane .