Given – Made a great save at the death, but then stayed on his line for the goal. Also gambled wrongly on Carrick aiming at the near post for United’s second. 6
Richards – Defended solidly throughout, and played far better than on our last trip to Old Trafford. Surprised us all with a great strike using his left foot. 8
To lose 4-3 at Old Trafford to a stoppage time winner once this season was bad enough. To lose 4-3 (on aggregate) to a stoppage time winner for a second time is… Maybe I’m getting used to it, but it didn’t feel quite so bad second time around.
Part two of our Carling Cup semi-final against United and now for the hard bit, as we look to exploit our 2-1 advantage to reach Wembley. It promises to be a classic.
Carlos Tevez stole the headlines with two goals as City came from behind to beat a full-strength United in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. Nothing can be taken for granted in the second leg as United showed their danger with a late onslaught, but at least City fans could go home happy with a win on the night.
Given – The match was in danger of descending into a duel between Shay and Rooney. Thankfully Shay was still winning when the referee blew for time. 8
Richards – An improvement on his display in the last derby, but still needs to get tighter on wingers as wily as Giggs. 7
It’s nearly 29 years since Paul Power scored the only goal against the then high flying Ipswich Town in City’s last major cup semi-final (we’re discouting the Full Members Cup here). That gap of time alone makes this Carling Cup semi-final a huge and historic fixture. The fact that it’s against United makes it bigger still.
No sooner had I published the preview, than the game gets postponed. It will now take place on Tuesday 19th January (the intended date of the second leg), with the return now put back a week to Wednesday 27 January. The home game against Stoke that was due for Tuesday 26 January will now be rearranged.
City drew Arsenal at home in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup, which will be played on the week beginning 30 November. The focus will undoubtedly be on Emmanuel Adebayor, but Mark Hughes will be more concerned with taking the club to our first major semi-final since 1981.
Given – An early save tested his alertness. From then on there was little for Shay to do. No chance for the goal, and Scunthorpe’s other big chance was straight at him fortunately. 6
Zabaleta – Unusually he looked better going forward than defending in the first half. Nearly cost us a second goal with an uncharacteristic failure to win a 50-50, but made up for it with a peach of a cross for our crucial second goal. 6
City finally cut loose for the first time this season and overwhelmed a Scunthorpe side with five goals after the Iron had tested City’s nerves with a first half equaliser to Steven Ireland’s opener. Roque Santa Cruz, Joleon Lescott, Carlos Tevez and Michael Johnson all got on the scoresheet as Mark Hughes rotated his squad for the first time.
Wayne Bridge, Kolo Toure, Martin Petrov and Emmanuel Adebayor were all missing with minor injuries, while Craig Bellamy was rested. Pablo Zabaleta returned for Micah Richards at right-back. Sylvinho finally got to make his debut – his last competitive fixture involved defeating Manchester United to pick up a Champions League winners medal!
