SOCCER ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG: Manchester Utd 3 Manchester City 1:THE SECOND leg of this League Cup tie was so intense the teams could barely loosen their grip on one another. A winner came at last in stoppage time when Manchester United clinched a place in the final at Wembley against Aston Villa as Wayne Rooney headed in a cross from Ryan Giggs.
The victors’ effort had been fierce and protracted, with Craig Bellamy seemingly hit by a coin thrown from the crowd in a fevered atmosphere. Having earlier forced themselves in front on aggregate, United soon let their old forward Carlos Tevez strike back for Manchester City. The Argentinian was set up in a move involving Bellamy and put City level with 14 minutes remaining.
The priority accorded this match was demonstrated by Rio Ferdinand’s decision to deny a charge of violent conduct that followed an incident in the match against Hull City. That choice ensured he was not suspended automatically here. The League Cup is more often associated with leading footballers enjoying a night off than finding a loophole that lets them take part.For all the cosmopolitan overtones in club ownership and personnel a derby fixture somehow retains its sense of local pride being at stake. The tempo was high and the attacking intent undiluted, with each side employing a three-man forward line when in possession.
The eagerness was even counterproductive at times, with too little clarity for any genuine opportunities to be carved out in the opening half-hour. Agitation was much more apparent than composure and the referee, Howard Webb, exercised restraint in waiting until the 36th minute before fishing in his pocket for a yellow card after a bad tackle on Shaun Wright-Phillips by Paul Scholes. On another occasion there would have been a flurry of cautions by then.
Ferdinand had himself been at risk of a booking in the early stages. He was luckier still to avoid punishment when, after 24 minutes, he pursued Carlos Tevez and caught the Argentinian on the back of his leg. Webb, to the defender’s relief, saw no penalty. Tevez, following his spat with former team-mates in the first leg, might also have caused heartache in the 30th minute, instead of drawing a good save from Edwin van der Sar.
The chance had been provided almost inevitably by Craig Bellamy, who ought to be a candidate for the footballer of year award after having such consistent impact in this campaign. His side was also purposeful and, prior to the interval, neither team had been in command for long. Considering the advantage from the first leg, that must have been pleasing to Roberto Mancini.
The City manager has had an early impact at the club by instilling a degree of rigour into the defence. This has occurred despite the current need to put a youngster such as Dedryck Boyata at the core of the defence while Joleon Lescott recovers from surgery. Ferguson will have appreciated that his men, for all the endeavour, had not been at their sharpest.
A great deal rested with Wayne Rooney, who has been in prime form, to wreak havoc. By playing a supporting role he contributed to the opening goal in the 52nd minute. Rooney picked out Ryan Giggs on the left and after a challenge by Nani the ball was laid back to Paul Scholes by Michael Carrick. The veteran drove home low past the right hand of Shay Given.
Of late, Scholes has been used in a deep midfield role that lets him conserve his energy, but there is always a regret in seeing a predatory footballer defanged. We were reminded here of the way in which his sharp attacking can galvanise the men around him.
For a while, United threatened to swamp City, as if levelling the score in the tie was merely the start. Boyata resisted remarkably when he prevented Rooney from capitalising on a ball from Nani. Mancini’s side tried to rally but could not keep their opponents at bay.
Ferguson’s side moved ahead on aggregate after 71 minutes when Carrick shot home after a terrific ball by Nani set up Fletcher, whose shot was blocked.
Rooney then squandered an easy chance, but City, could not be deterred. Tevez surprised United as he contrived to flick in a delivery from Craig Bellamy to level the tie the 76th minute. This contest refused to reach a simple conclusion.
MANCHESTER UNITED:Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Brown 74), Ferdinand, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Nani (Valencia 90), Rooney, Giggs. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Owen, Berbatov, Park, Vidic. Booked: Scholes, Nani. Goals: Scholes 52, Carrick 71, Rooney 90.
MANCHESTER CITY:Given, Richards, Kompany, Boyata, Garrido (Ireland 64), De Jong, Barry, Zabaleta, Wright-Phillips (Adebayor 72), Tevez, Bellamy. Subs not used: Taylor, Onuoha, Sylvinho, Petrov, Ibrahim. Booked: Tevez. Goals: Tevez 76.
Referee:Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
- Guardian Service
