Manchester City took on Manchester United in the League Cup derby and are one step closer to the final as they came from behind to beat the Red Devils 2 – 1.

Ryan Giggs opened the scoring in the first half before Carlos Tevez struck twice, once from the spot, to swing the tie in the Citizens’ favour.

The game took 15 minutes to warm up, but United scored with the first genuine goal scoring opportunity of the game. Playing out from the back, Patrice Evra lofted a pass to Antonio Valencia, who beat his marker, attacked the byline and hit a low cross to the front post. Wayne Rooney hit a side-footed shot from close range, Shay Given saved but the rebound spilled out to his right andGiggs was on hand to tap the ball into the open net: 1-0 to Manchester United.

Tevez had a great opportunity to equalise with the next attempt on goal. The Argentinian ran at  the United defence from deep, before turning back towards his own goal and playing the ball out to the right. He made a run into the penalty area as City attacked down the flank with Shaun Wright-Phillips. The English winger swung the ball into the middle and Tevez jumped unchallenged to meet the cross, but his header was poor and bobbled out for a goal kick.

Edwin van der Sar was called into action in the 27th minute, Craig Bellamy crossed into a congested penalty area from the left. His delivery dipped into the six yard box and was met by Micah Richards, whose header deflected off Dedryck Boyata and safely into the arms of the Netherlands ‘keeper.

The Citizens had a penalty in the 40th minute, Bellamy burst down the left and was played through by Tevez. The pass cut out Rafael da Silva and the Brazilian was struggling to keep up with Bellamy. As the Welshman entered the box he was tugged back by Rafael and went down, the referee pointed to the spot. United were furious as initial contact was made outside the box, but their protestations didn’t change the decision.

Despite van der Sar being booked for time wasting, Tevez held his nerve and smashed the penalty down the middle and into the roof of the net: 1-1.

Rooney sprang to life five minutes into the second half. Wes Brown played a long ball forward for the England international and Vincent Kompany couldn’t stop the pass reaching Rooney in the right-hand side of the box. He latched onto the ball and went for goal, but Given had closed the angle quickly and knocked the ball out for a corner.

City had United under pressure from a couple of corners, but the visitors had the next clear chance of the game. Rooney made a run down the left channel and was fed the ball, he was met by two blue shirts as he entered the box but he checked back and floated a cross towards the back post. The cross was good and Giggs managed to get his head to it, aiming his header at the near post, but Given saved comfortably.

Tevez scored his second in the 65th minute, Wright-Phillips drove at the heart of the United defence and tried to play Bellamy in on the left. His pass was deflected and went out for a corner. Bellamy whipped it into the box and punched to the edge of the box, Pablo Zabaleta headed it back to Kompany who was in the right-hand side of the box. The Belgium midfielder hooked the ball back into the middle and Tevez sprang up to head the ball beyond van der Sar: 2-1 to City.

United ploughed forward in search of an equaliser, Michael Owen replaced Anderson and combined with Rooney to engineer a chance. The two Englishmen exchanged passes on the edge of the box and Owen slipped Rooney through, he shot first time but Given was quick off his line again to deny the Liverpudlian. The rebound came back to Owen who also struck first time, his scuffed shot deceived Given but substitute Nedum Onuoha was covering his ‘keeper and cleared from the goal line.

Rooney almost scored a sublime goal for Manchester United, he picked the up on the left and turned substitute Onuoha inside out as he drove into the area. Cutting onto his left foot, Rooney got his shot off quickly, stabbing the ball goal wards, but Given got his fingertips to the ball and pushed it over the crossbar.

Evra dazzled the City defence, zig-zagging his way past two defenders before sending a wonderful cross to the back post. Valencia ghosted in at the back post unmarked and had a clear goal to aim at, but couldn’t make full contact on the volley as the ball spun wide and he crashed into the post. He had been flagged offside and it wouldn’t have counted.

City survived a late United onslaught, hanging on through five minutes of extra time to take a lead into the second leg at Old Trafford.

Source: goal.com

Pic: supersport.co.za