Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett says it was a big team effort as his side walked away from Wembley as the 2019 Checkatrade Trophy winners.
A penalty shoot-out victory over Sunderland was enough to hand Jackett his second EFL Trophy winner’s medal as a manager, but he says the squad can benefit from a Wembley appearance.
He said: “It is a good step up for everybody and a big team effort, it is quite a unique day with the attendance, how big the two Clubs are, we’ve talked about winning big games and we found a way to win today.
“A vast majority of my players have never played here and haven’t played in games of this magnitude, and whether it is against Sunderland or anybody else it can only do them good.
“There is only one point between the two Clubs over an eight-month period which shows you how tight it is, Sunderland have a very good squad and are very talented.”
Portsmouth saw off Arsenal and Tottenham’s Under-21s respectively on their way to the Final, and the 57-year-old says the involvement can only be a good thing for a game.
He added: “I think the competition is a good one, I do think the Under-21 involvement from the big Clubs is good because we all talk for the good of the game, about getting the younger player experience.
“All of the big Clubs, if you like, coming into this competition offers that and it has done that with us as well, at the moment we have a category three academy but we still want to produce players through our academy.
“And in the earlier rounds we had three appearances from a 16-year-old in this particular competition, which is quite a big one, and I think it is a very good competition.”