Liverpool lift the cup after Wembley drama!

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardif 2:2 Liverpool AET

Liverpool beat Cardiff 3-2 on penalties after a dramatic 120 minutes ended all evens at 2-2. Steven Gerrard's cousin Anthony missed the decisive spot-kick for the Welsh side, handing the Reds their record eighth league cup, first domestic trophy since 2006 and first cup celebration at the new Wembley. And with this Carling Cup, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish breaks another record, none other than Bill Shankly's (of seven trophies with the Reds).

Liverpool should have been walking home with the trophy with all the chances they had but wasted (22 in normal time + 5 in ET)! But Cardiff fought hard, held on and deserved the chance to grab a win from the penalty spot.

The underdogs were ahead at half time of regular play thanks to Joe Mason's fine finish. The striker had plenty of time and space in the box to send Kenny Miller's pass through Pepe Reina's legs and into the back of the net.

The goal came against the run of play as Liverpool dominated possession but wasted chance after chance, Andy Carrol and Luis Suarez the main offenders with the Uruguayan looking a shadow of his usual self.

Half an hour from regular play time, the Reds finally got something to cheer about when Martin Skrtel put the rebound of Suarez' header which came off the post through Tom Heaton's legs to make it 1:1.

Into extra time, Liverpool continued to dominate, but it took super-sub Dirk Kuyt to make the difference. Brought on in extra time, the Dutchman brought some freshness and speed to the Reds' game and his energy payed off when he netted a rebound, after a fine run. It looked like he was slipping, but he somehow got the ball in to put Liverpool aheade for the first time in the game on 108.

But Turner had a different idea and netted one of his own, right in front of the goal, Kuyt and Reina unable to stop him, to level the score at 2-2, 2 minutes from time.
His star role in the back line and on the scoreboard cam to no avail in the end thanks to three penalty misses by his side against the Reds' two misses, Reina not needing to make one save.

It was one of those dramas you will never forget, ending in Welsh tears and Scouser smiles. We will see if this is going to open the floodgates for a consistent run of trophies for Liverpool, who are still in the FA Cup and thanks to this cup win will be in Europe next season, no matter where the Reds will end in the league.

King Kenny has git his crown back, well, one little one of many more and bigger hopefully!

YNWA! For Jenny Kerwood (1989-2012)! xxx RIP xxx

1st & 2nd half stats
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 2-11 & 4-11
On target: 1-3 & 1-5
Offsides: 1-0 & 0-3
Corners: 0-4 & 0-10
Free kicks: 6-4 & 7-4
Possession: 34%-66% (17.min), 29%-71% (HT),
29.7%-70.3% (1st half), 36.8%-63.2% (2nd half)
Action Areas: Cardiff 18%-63%-19% Liverpool (HT)

ET 1st & 2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-3 & 4-1
On target: 0-1 & 3-1
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-1
Corners: 0-3 & 2-1
Free kicks: 1-1 & 0-0

Sky Stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Passing Success: 66.8%-84.4%
Tackles/Success: 26/80.8%-12/58.3%
Territorial Advantage: 50.2%-49.8%
Possession: 35%-65%

Penalty Shoot-Out:
Liverpool won the toss and chose to go first, at the red end of Wembley.

Liverpool: S Gerrard x, Adam x, Kuyt 1, Downing 1, Johnson 1 = 3 penalties scored, 2 missed.

Cardiff: Miller x, Cowie 1, Gestede x, Whittingham 1, A Gerrard x = 2 penalties scored, 3 missed.

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton (Blake 106), Hudson (A Gerrard 99), Turner (booked 98, scored 118), Taylor; Mason (scored 19, Kiss ET, booked 119), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Marshall, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger (Carragher 86), Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 103, scored 108). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Kelly, Maxi.

Man of the match: Ben Turner
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant Referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

After ET & pen drama: Liverpool lift the cup!

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardiff 2:2 Liverpol AET

ET notes:

Mason off, Kiss on, Cardiff kick off.

1 Suarez shot saved by goalkeeper, out for a corner. Suarez header cleared off the line by Taylor, how vital is that!

2 Another corner for Liverpool, Bellamy takes it, Gerrard blasts chance far, far away.

7 Good Cardiff free kick collected cooly by Reina.

8 Scuffed shot by Kiss, collected by Reina. Kiss gives away free kick with fowl on Bellamy.

9 Steven Gerrard's cousin Anthony Gerrard on for Hudson. This could get interesting!

10 Downing shot high.

12 Carroll header off corner just wide.

13 Kuyt on for Carroll who lets his hair down.

14 Bellamy right-foot curl aimed at the top corner goes wide, JUST. First real chance for the Welshman against his boyhood team.

HT 1:1, not much to write about apart from a couple of wasted chances by Liverpool.

Liverpool kick off second half of ET.

16 McNaughton off, Blake on for Cardiff.

17 Kuyt breaks free from the right, crosses to Suarez in the box who fails to control it. Argh!

18 And the Dutchman is the hero! Super-sub! His energy pays off, run, cross, nets the rebound, looked like he was slipping, but he somehow got it in. Liverpool ahead for the first time, 1-2, 107:24.

112 Turner turns one in well, blocked, long throw-in by Gunnarson, defended and headed away well by Liverpool. Gunnarson can hardly walk!

114 Gestede down, referee stops play.

117 Cardiff win a corner, their first of the game! Reina deals with it, clears it. Another corner, Reina spills it, shot cleared off the line! Another corner!

118 Turner nets it right in front of goal, Kuyt and Reina unable to stop him! Unbelievable, 2:2, 117:22! Under 3 minutes left, time for another twist?!

120 Corner for Liverpool with seconds to go... Comes to nothing... Another corner, Kuyt tries overhead kick, blocked by Cardiff, 1 minute added on... Liverpool pressing, Cardiff have all men back...

Final whistle 2:2! What a final! Penalties it is! (I'm gonna throw up...)
Liverpool should have been walking home with the trophy with all the chances they had but wasted! Cardiff held on, fought hard, deserve the chance! See notes below on the shoot-out...

ET 1st & 2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-3 & 4-1
On target: 0-1 & 3-1
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-1
Corners: 0-3 & 2-1
Free kicks: 1-1 & 0-0

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton (Blake 106), Hudson (A Gerrard 99), Turner (booked 98, scored 118), Taylor; Mason (scored 19, Kiss ET, booked 119), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Marshall, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger (Carragher 86), Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 103, scored 108). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Kelly, Maxi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

Penalty shoot-out:

Liverpool win toss, so the spot kicks will be taken at the red end of Wembley.

Gerrard to take first, Heaton saves it!!! What a save!

Miller opening for Cardiff, sends Pepe the wrong way but hits the post!

AWEFUL high shot by Adam, SHOCKER!

Cowie scores, over Pepe.

Kuyt scores, sending keeper the wrong way.

Gestede hits the post!

Downing scores, keeper wrong way again, first cool one.

Whittingham scores, Pepe wrong side.

Johnson for Liverpool, hits it into the roof of the net, his first spot-kick for the Reds. Pressure on Cardiff... Another miss! By Anthony Gerrard! Family curse today! Wide on the left!
Liverpool won! Welsh tears! Scouser smiles! What a drama!

Liverpool: x x 1 2 3

Cardiff: x 1 x 2 x

Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties! Their 8th league cup, record, first domestic trophy since 2006. With this Carling Cup Kenny Dalglish breaks another record, none other than Bill Shankly's (of seven trophies with Liverpool)! YNWA

FT Summary: Cardiff 1:1 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Carling Cup final - FT Cardiff 1:1 Liverpool

2nd half notes:

Liverpool kick off the second half.

47 Free kick to Liverpool on the left, after Miller pushed Enrique, soft one, Gerrard takes it, blocked, Henderson blasts it nowhere near goal.

49 Miller shot wide, after clever flick by Cowie.

50 Suarez nicks the ball into the Cardiff box, Carroll stuck on his feet, could have had a chance there.

51 Free kick cleared, following corner cleared, Cardiff's back line tested, so far so solid. Another block, corner, Cardiff hold on tight.

52 Henderson booked for diving challenge on Mason, first yellow of the day.

55 Poor ball by Agger, Cardiff into attack, ball out for throw-in. What a bunch of wasters in red! High and far throw, punched out by Reina, rebound taken and thrown out for counter. Spaniard under pressure.

57 Fantastic tackle by McNaughton on Suarez who was just about to pull the trigger in the box, corner comes to nothing.

58 Bellamy on for Henderson, was about time for Liverpool, the Welshman is cheered by both sets of fans, goosebump moment.

60 Carroll shot off corner, Suarez heads it onto the post, Skrtel puts rebound past Cardiff defence through Heaton's legs! 59:31, 1:1! FINALLY something to cheer about for the Reds!

65 Mason pops one shot into Reina's gloves, could have been an awkward one.

66 Downing corner comes to nothing, Cardiff working hard.

67 Downing forces another corner on the right, ends in a goal kick. Finally there's some signs of hunger from the Reds.

71 Gerrard smashes into Gunnarsson who goes down injured, requires treatment. The Red skipper is lucky to get away with that one without a card to his name!

74 Skrtel volley off corner stopped by goalkeeper.

75 Carroll heads one wide, looked like he didn't have a clue where he or the ball was.

77 Now Hudson is down, with a cramp, in his box, play is stopped.

78 Downing shot from outside the box saved by Heaton, fine jump to his left.

80 Push by Downing on Miller, looked more like a slip, but free kick given, in dangerous position, goes straight into the wall. Gunnarson's long throw into box cleared.

82 Johnson puts one wide, 8 Cardiff players in front of him!

84 Cardiff get ball into box, Turner heads it just wide. Excellent chance.

86 Agger smacker held well by Heaton.

87 Carragher on for Agger. Corner taken by Liverpool comes to nothing, goal kick.

88 Golden chance again for Cardiff, goal gaping, missed again, Miller puts it high. Brilliant first touch, looked promising, 2nd touch let down.

90 Ball smacks off Clattenburg to Cardiff's advantage, Carragher not happy, gives away a free kick.

4 minutes added on.

91 Suarez onside, takes to long, wastes it wide.

92 Gerrards shoots high off corner.

94 Suarez takes ball beautifully to see it deflect out for a goal kick. Sarcastic smile by the Uruguayan.

FT 1:1 Liverpool comeback not complete after promising header by Skrtel made it 1:1, Cardiff holding on, hard! 30 minutes of extra time coming up and if it stays level it goes to penalties! 

2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-11
On target: 1-5
Offsides: 0-3
Corners: 0-10
Free kicks: 7-4

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Mason (scored 19), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs: Marshall, Kiss, A Gerrard, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor, Blake

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger, Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Spearing, Bellamy, Kuyt, Kelly, Maxi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

HT Summary: Cardiff 1:0 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardiff 1:0 Liverpool

1st half notes:

Cardiff's 1st, Liverpool's 11th League Cup final. The Welsh side kick the game off.

2 Johnson shot from outisde the box comes off the bar and bounces clear! What a start that would have been!

5 Carroll heads one over but is penalised for a push on Hudson.

6 Downing from left, wins corner, Gerrard takes it.

7 Corner headed out by Cardiff defence, another corner headed into the goalkeeper Heaton's gloves by Skrtel.

10 Miller left-foot shot high over the bar.

13 Carroll gives away another free kick in the box pushing around when Downing was taking the corner.

16 Carroll heads one way wide, could & should have made more of that! Good chance wasted.

34%-66% possession so far, Red dominance

18 Carroll header into goalkeepers gloves, AGAIN, another chance gone too wastefully. Good interplay by Liverpool beforehand.

19 Cardiff take the lead, Miller to Mason, plenty of time & space, puts it through Reina's legs, into the back of the net, 1-0 against the run of play, 18:32! Enrique was not doing his job! Absent second costs Liverpool.

24 Suarez blocked in box, Carroll blasts the ball over and out, that summarises his day so far. Useless!

27 Suarez looked like he could break but blocked again, Cardiff strong on counter, causing Liverpool plenty of headache.

28 Downing cross from left, no one there to take it, Carroll couldn't get there.

30 Enrique curls a shot from the edge of the box, wide.

32 Liverpool appeal for a handball but the ball was shot at the player, couldn't do much about it, slightest of a brush, good decision by the ref. Adam put one wide.

40 Downing from left, strong cross, Henderson blasts but misses, Gerrard blasts it high.

41 Suarez tackles himself in the crowded box, loses the ball.

43 Suarez right-foot shot easily collected by Heaton.

44 Gerrad free kick into the box, Agger heads it straight into Heaton who just about holds on to the ball. Golden chance, missed.

45 Gerrard shot blocked, slips and sends rebound shot high into the sky.

1 minute injury time added on.

Liverpool on last attack of the half, ball goes out.

HT the underdogs in the lead thanks to Joe Mason's fine finish, Cardiff 1:0 Liverpool.

1st half stats
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 2-11
On target: 1-3
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 0-4
Free kicks: 6-4
Possession: 34%-66% (17.min), 29%-71% (HT) 
Action Areas: Cardiff 18%-63%-19% Liverpool

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Mason (scored 19), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs: Marshall, Kiss, A Gerrard, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor, Blake

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Henderson, S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll. 4-4-2
Subs: Doni, Carragher, Spearing, Bellamy, Kuyt, Kelly, Maxi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

Cup double over Manchester: Kuyt k.o. United

Sports - Football - FA Cup - Liverpool 2:1 Man Utd

Liverpool did the double over Manchester, beating United 2:1 to eliminate them from the FA Cup after they had battled out a 3:2 aggregate win over their City rivals to reach the Carling Cup final earlier in the week.

It was not a quite as feisty affair at Anfield, roaring boos against Patrice Evra being the only dark clowd and reminder of the Luis Suarez racism row of the last meeting between the two rivals.

Liverpool had the upper hand early on with more chance before taking the lead accordingly thanks to a Daniel Agger header off a corner with United's goalkeeper David De Gea too busy pushing away Andy Carroll rather than covering his line and goal.

But the trend soon shifted with United pulling back possession, territory, chances and in the end a goal when Ji-Sung Park poked in the equaliser. 

It ended a fascinating first half which saw United's growing hold on the game reflected by the score line. But the second half panned out less fascinating but more hard work as both sides pressed but did not get much in the opposition's box. Liverpool looked more attacking, the changes reflecting that and showing clear intentions.

Both sides saw two penalty shouts denied by the officials, fair dues, both hand balls but inadvertent, impossible to get away from, good refereeing at both ends. 

The game continued frustrating, with more pressure by Liverpool, but all attacks dell to bits in the box, no close shouts or shots by either side.

With minutes left, Dirk Kuyt smacked in Carroll's cross-header off Pepe Reina's goalkick, giving De Gea no chance and Liverpool the lead. Kuyt's 50th goal for the club saw the Reds through to the next round of the FA Cup and deservedly so, King Kenny can be more than proud of his club's display and achievements over the last week.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 20:04 min Daniel Agger (5), 2.: 87:20 min Dirk Kuyt (18).

Liverpool: Reina; Skrtel, Carragher (Kuyt 63), Agger; Kelly, Gerrard (Bellamy 72), Henderson, Enrique; Downing, Carroll, Maxi (Adam 63). (3-4-3)
Subs not used: Doni, Johnson, Coates, Shelvey.

Man United Goals: 1.: 38:38 min Ji-Sung Park (13).

Man United: De Gea; Rafael (booked 66), Smalling, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Scholes (Hernandez 76), Giggs (Berbatov 90); Valencia, Welbeck, Park. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, da Silva, Keane, Pogba.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man United
Attempts: 5-3 & 9-5
On target: 3-2 & 4-0
Offsides: 1-0 & 1-0
Corners: 3-0 & 2-1
Free kicks: 6-5 & 5-4
Possession: 38%-62% (37.min), 43%-57% (FT)

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Man of the match: Dirk Kuyt

Liverpool through to Wembley final

Sports - Football - Carling Cup - Liverpool 2:2 Man City

Liverpool's hard work payed off, another Steven Gerrard penalty and Craig Bellamy's fine curl shot seeing their side through to the Carling Cup final with a 2:2 draw on the night at Anfield, 3:2 on aggregate, to take the Reds to Wembley and end their 16-year absence.

Joe Hart's heroics for City were all to no avail in the end after the England goalkeeper had created some breathtaking saves against Gerrard, Bellamy, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Dirk Kuyt and Martin Skrtel.

In both halves, City made comebacks out of nowhere and gave them hope they could pull themselves out and through somehow.

First, after 30 minutes of Liverpool dominance, the home side creating chance after chance and seeing a Bellamy goal disallowed for offside, Nigel de Jong smacked one in from outside the box, a right-foot slip-curler, top-strike giving City the lead against the run of play.

But the lead did not last long, when on 39 Micah Richards handled the ball inside his box and conceded a penalty. The defender did not know much about it, it went so quick and before he or City knew it, Gerrard netted the penalty and took Liverpool into half time level on the night, leading 2:1 on aggregate.

The second half showed the same trend, Liverpool dominating and outclassing City until halfway through the half Edin Dzeko blasted one in off Aleksandar Kolarov's beauty of a cross from the left to give City another unpredictable lead.

Five minutes later, man of the match Bellamy killed off any City excitement or hope, curling Glen Johnson's cross into the left corner after a nice one-two cross exchange.

City tried to press late on but never looked too much of a threat to Pepe Reina, not seeing another comeback out of nowhere.

It was a fair result after a tense thriller, which saw Liverpool through to the final where they will meet Bellamy's former side Cardiff at Wembley on Sunday 23rd February.

But before the Reds get too excited, they should check their fixture list: with Manchester United up next at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round, February will see Liverpool welcome Tottenham home and meet United again at Old Trafford this time in the Premier League before the big Carling Cup final against the Welsh side (followed by Arsenal at home in the league!).

It will be make or break time for Kenny Dalglish over the next few weeks, the Reds expectantly waiting for their first trophy since 2006.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 39:53 min Steven Gerrard (8) penalty, 2.: 73:36 min Craig Bellamy (39).

Liverpool: Reina; Glen Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique (booked 64); Henderson, Adam, Downing, Gerrard (booked 5); Bellamy (Kelly 87), Kuyt (Carroll 91). (4-4-2)
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Shelvey, Carragher, Maxi.

Man City Goals: 1.: 30:51 min Nigel De Jong (34), 2.: 66:38 min Edin Dzeko (10).

Man City: Hart; Richards, Savic (Aguero HT), Lescott, Kolarov (booked 56); De Jong (Adam Johnson 78), Barry, Zabaletta; Silva, Nasri, Dzeko. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Hargreaves, Milner, Clichy, Rekik.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Attempts: 8-2 & 7-4
On target: 6-1 & 5-3
Offsides: 4-0 & 2-1
Corners: 8-1 & 4-1
Free kicks: 2-4 & 5-3

Sky Stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Possession: 38%-62% (19.min), 40.5%-59.5% (1st half), 35.1%-64.9% (2nd half) & 37.9%-62.1% (FT)
Passing Success: 74.6%-86.7
Territorial Advantage: 55.5%-45.5%
Action Areas: Liverpool 12%-41%-47% Man City (59.min)

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Craig Bellamy

Gerrard hits the spot at City

Sports - Football - Carling Cup - Semi-Final - 1st Leg

Man City 0:1 Liverpool

Liverpool take a one-goal advantage to the second leg at Anfield after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at the Etihad stadium.

It was a game of two halves with Liverpool displaying a much more confident, professional and productive performance, much in contrast to their absent-minded 3-0 defeat to City in the Premier League only eight days earlier, again without their controversial main man Luis Suarez.

City on the other hand offered a much more shakey, on-and-off performance, with four forced changes since their last meeting, Vincent Kompany sudpended and David Silva injured, whilst both Kolo ande Yaya Toure are out on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.

Their back line was kept under pressure constantly early on by Liverpool and with Kompany missing, goalkeeper Joe Hart was kept busy and produced good saves against Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing.

Only 11 minutes into the game, Stefan Savic brought down Daniel Agger in the box conceding a penalty with a high, risky tackle on the knee. Gerrard netted the spot kick, Hart guessing right but JUST missing the ball to give Liverpool a well deserved 1-0 lead.

The rest of the half, Liverpool kept dominating, City and Mario Balotelli especially getting more and more frustrated. The home side looked stronger after Samir Nasri came on, the midfield keeping and creating more of the ball.

But Liverpool kept the ball well, dominated possession and chances. They will have felt disappointed that they did not take a bigger lead into the break, having the edge over City.

The second half, City finally came out their shakey shell more, with Liverpool withdrawing more and more, keeping a solid back line.

The best chance came when Martin Kelly's bad backpass found Sergio Aguero in front of goal. But Pepe Reina did well, making himself big, spreading out, coming close and putting good pressure on Aguero, for his shot to go high.

That summarised the day for City, they got closer and closer in the second half, but still nowhere near scoring with Aguero and substitute Aleksandar Kolarov painting the most frustrated picture missing plenty of chances and wasting a lot late on.

Kenny Dalglish can be proud of the improved performance of his side, especially the back line, although Glen Johnson had a mixed display and was caught in controversy late on for his two-footed tackle on Joleon Lescott, although it looked like he did not catch him with both and got the ball. At the front, Carroll left a lot to wish for once again with a below-par performance.

Roberto Mancini was not happy, understandably so, although his half-time talk and changes did make a difference. We will see if he can and whether he will make THE difference in the second leg, because no one on the pitch in the first leg looked like they could. Advantage Liverpool.

Manchester City: Hart; Richards (c), Savic, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, De Jong (Kolarov 72), Barry, Adam Johnson (Dzeko 66), Balotelli (Nasri 39, booked 86); Aguero. 4-5-1
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Zabaletta, Hargreaves, Onuoha.

Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Glen Johnson; Downing (José Enrique 60), Henderson, Gerrard, Spearing (Adam 23), Bellamy (Carragher 80, booked 86); Carroll. 4-5-1
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Kuyt, Shelvey.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Man of the match: Steven Gerrard

Match stats:
Man City-Liverpool
1st & 2nd half
Attempts: 4-6 & 8-0
On target: 1-5 & 1-0
Offsides: 0-1 & 2-0
Corners: 1-1 & 3-0
Free kicks: 5-5 & 6-5
Posession: 50%-50% after 30min, 47%-53% 1st half; 65%-35% 2nd half up to 78.min, 58%-42% FT

Full Match Summary:

1st half:

• City k.o.
• 5. Carroll denied by Hart, Balotelli stopped by Skrtel on the other end.
• 10. Good save by Hart again, this G.'s shot sneaking in on the right. Downing flicks one in off corner, great save again by Heart.
• 11. Penalty! Agger down! Savic catches him on the knee, high, risky tackle. G. to take the spot-kick.
• 12:17 G. nets it to Hart's right, outstanding penalty, gk got the side right JUST missing it. 0-1.
• 14. Lpool continue storm forward, G.'s shot deflected, Hart catches it preventing corner.
• 16. Aguero's left footer from edge of the box goes high & wide. 1st attempt for home side.
• 22. Spearing down with hamstring, Adam comes on for him.
• 26. Ground's gone quiet, not sold out btw.
• 29. Poor giveaway by Carroll, glad to see Richards lose it. Adam brings down Balotelli has a tantrum after Adam tapped him on his head passing by. Fk to City.
• 30. Balotelli's fk blocked.
• 33. Fk from the right by Johnson, Kelly heads it away. Adam goes down dramatically for a fk.
• 35. Balotelli takes down Johnson, bad lunge, seems off his game, like the whole City side so far. Kelly cross from right into the box, Carroll getting in front of Savic but heads it wide.
• 38. Milner brought down by G., fk, eventually goes out wide.
• 39. Balotelli off, Nasri on. The controversial forward goes straight down the tunnel, looked off, maybe injured, definitely not on the ball!
• 41. City making a meal of getting the ball away, looks wet & slippery out there, not nice.
• 43. G. stops Aguero from left. Nasri shot cleared by Reina, the shot from the wide right bounced just in front if him, took a bit away from the shot, advantage for the Spanish gk.
• 44. City seeing more of the ball with the extra man in midfield.
• 45. Milner puts one high on the edge of the backs after Richards fine break & cross from the right, blew Glen Johnson away.
• 46. 3 minutes added on. Adam down. Looked like Savic got him.
• 48. City's 1st corner of the match off big deflection. Johnson good & strong in box, Skrtel bad outside, gives ball away, fk for City conceded by G. Johnson takes it, curls it high & wide, last kick of the game. HT: 0-1

City looked stronger after changes, midfield kept & created more of the ball. Apart from that, all Liverpool, kept the ball well, dominated possession & chances, they'll feel disappointed that they are not further ahead. So far, Reds have the edge, City look like they still have to get on the pitch & in the game.

2nd half:

• Lpool k.o. 2nd half.
• 46. Early corner for City, looking for a quick come back in the 2nd half, comes to nothing.
• 51. City keeping possession, containing the ball, trying to create chances but are kept out the box well & solid by Lpool. Adam does well taking ball to the corner & deflecting it out for a gk.
• 54. Aguero comes forward, kicks ball too far for Skrtel able to intervene & put the ball out for a corner. Reina catches corner, distribution leads on to Liverpool attack, the game speeding up, crowd waking up.
• 56. Kelly mistake, backpass taken by Aguero, his shot goes high, good pressure by Pepe. Lpool starting to show cracks. José Enrique is getting ready on the side line. Fb on, winger off, looked like Downing's nr will be up.
• 59. Barry drives one up from left, out for a corner. Richards leaping header blocked & stopped brilliantly by Reina.
• 60. Downing off, José Enrique on for Lpool.
• 65. Bellamy loses out ball to Barry, City on counter, 15 takes shot, looks like he slipped slightly, not a strong shot, easy save for Reina.
• 66. Adam Johnson off, Dzeko on for City.
• 68. Fine Clichy cross from left, no one in the box to take the chance. Aguero on next attack, great tackle by Glen Johnson on the edge of the box. Bellamy attach stopped by Richards, City counter deflected, end-to-end stuff here. Much more positive by City.
• 70. Nasri past Glen Johnson, but too high.
• 72. De Jong off, Kolarov on for City.
• 73. Kolarov puts free kick wide from right, nowhere near anyone. G. got instructions from King Kenny to move Kelly & Henderson forward, more attacking.
• 76. Kolarov cross from left, easy take for Reina.
• 77. Kolarov speculative again, takes shot from far left, high, nowhere near again. Was good forward attack run by Richards.
• 79. Barry loses out to Reina.
• 80. Bellamy off, Carragher on, Lpool going over-defensive, wanting to keep hold of the lead at the Etihad stadium.
• 82. Milner shot drags wide, no real pressure or power on it.
• 85. Adam cross from right blocked out for a corner by Agger. Kolarov wastes corner high & wide AGAIN!
• 86. Nasri on Carragher, little push-about by both side, Kolarov getting involved, first booking of the night goes to Nasri, second to Carragher, good refereeing.
• 88. Aguero shot blocked by Kelly. Through all their possession City looked less likely of scoring. YNWA echoes through the ground.
• 90. 3 minutes added on. Adam gives away a fk on the right. Aguero heads it JUST over the cross bar.
• 92. Henderson concedes fk, looks like he got the ball. Milner puts it in the box, Carroll heads it out, packed box, Johnson got ball off Lescott with both feet, similar to Kompany's s.o., got less of the player though. FT: 0-1

Liverpool take a one-goal advantage to the second leg at Anfield after a professional, productive performance, decisive in the end in comparison to City's shakey, on-and-off performance (off 1st half, more on it 2nd half, but still nowhere near).

Battling Leeds toppled by Ngog strike

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Third Round

Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool

Young French striker David Ngog spared Liverpool's blushes at Elland Road with a fine left-foot finish to Javier Mascherano's low mis-kick off a corner, the only goal of the match, in the 66th minute.

It could have been so different: Leeds started brightly, showing clear intentions they would not give their guests an easy ride. The League One side pressed forward against their Premier League opposition, who gave away posession too easy and clumsy at times.

Leeds' midfielder Michael Doyle put a free header wide and seconds later their striker Jermaine Beckford was cruely ruled as offside after Lubomir Michalik guided the ball over the line for Leeds, past Liverpool goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, who looked to have gotten the last touch before he let the ball through.

The Reds scraped through the opening 15 minutes, lucky not to be 2-0 behind. The game continued evenly poised after that, Ryan Babel and Albert Riera missing fine chances. The prior ended his breaking run with a disappointing wide shot, the latter's point-blank header was sharply saved by an aware Shane Higgs.

Beckford came close again in the second half, drawing saves and blocks from Cavalieri, Jamie Carragher and Sotirios Kyrgiakos. A clever hook-shot over his shoulder cleared just over the crossbar. It was just not meant to be for Leeds.

Just moments after Mascherano was lucky to get away with lashing out at a Leeds player, his low mishit volley on the edge of the box found Ngog who swivelled the ball around and fired it past Higgs.

Leeds pressed on, but to no avail. Fabio Aurelio nearly piled more misery onto the Yorkshire side late on, his low-left lightning-free kick deflecting just over the crossbar.

Liverpool will be happy with their youngster's display, Jay Spearing impressing in all areas and connecting well with Ngog. Riera and Babel pressed on wide but gave away the ball away too often.

Leeds will feel unlucky and hard-done-to after they dominated play but saw nothing from it. Nothing went their way and instead they were punished for it with a defeat, to the Scouser's relief as they progress to the last 16.

Leeds United Higgs; Crowe, Kisnorbo, Michalik, Doyle (Showunmi 88); Howson, Johnson, Hughes (Kilkenny 78), Beckford; Becchio (Grella 81), Snodgrass. Subs not used Ankergren, Naylor, Prutton, Robinson. Bookings Crowe 43.

Liverpool Cavalieri; Dossena, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Degen (Johnson 71); Riera, Spearing, Mascherano, Aurelio, Babel (Skrtel 90); Ngog (Gerrard 78). Subs not used Reina, Plessis, Torres, Voronin. Bookings Kyrgiakos 41.

1st half stats: Leeds Utd - Liverpool

Attempts: 3-5

On target: 0-2

Offsides: 1-0

Corners: 3-4

Free kicks: 5-3

2nd half stats: Leeds Utd - Liverpool

Attempts: 9-6

On target: 2-2

Offsides: 0-3

Corners: 0-2

Free kicks: 2-7

Referee: Alan Wiley

What the hell was Rafael Benitez thinking?!

Sport - Football - FA Barclays Premier League - Middlesbrough 2:0 Liverpool

Why did Benayoun start on the bench after his exemplary display againt Real Madrid?!

Why did Benitez put Skrtel right-back, the only position he's an unexperienced dabbler?!

Why does he keep giving El Zhar the start?! And what the hell is Lucas Leiva good for?!

Why did he make so many changes to a side that showed Real Madrid up at the Bernabéu?!

And what are players supposed to bring to the match and team if they are only given the last ten minutes, if that?!

Questions, question, questions, that come up too often with Benitez! Just when you think the players have found their place and form, they get rotated around the pitch, to the bench or not even considered for that. What effect was Keane supposed to have on the team and display if he hardly ever featured in it? The couple of occasions when he found scoring form, he was put back onto the bench or left out completely. It's a joke!

And he's just one example. This tactic may be effective and good for cup competitions where you only play every few weeks, but not in the Premier League where you have to find your strengths and build on them week-in, week-out to establish consistency. Liverpool can't even spell the word!

Just when you think nothing and nobody can beat them, they slump in the most disappointing way. That makes it the more frustrating! It was a switch of roles over the weekend. Liverpool looked like a team fighting relegation, whilst Middlesborough looked strong and dominant.

Obviously, injuries to Torres and Gerrard haven't helped, but that can't be taken as an excuse, especially if you want to call yourselves worthy champions. You can't rely on individual players alone all the time. A good, champion team has to be able to make up for any kind of deficit. For that, depth, quality and desire is needed.

Manchester United have showed this season as they have often over the last couple of decades, they have a strength, depth and quality that is not easy to come by. Even if their display isn't impressive or they have a dip in run, they still get the results they need when it's the most crucial and decisive. Tottenham surprised everyone who expected a thrash in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, how they kept the Red Devils at bay and made it a juicy contest of it, but in the end to no prevail.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Arsenal 1-0 Fulham - 0:0

Aston Villa 2-1 Stoke City - 2:2
Bolton 2-1 Newcastle - 1:0

Chelsea 2-0 Wigan - 2:1

Everton 2-1 West Brom - 2:0

Hull City 1-1 Blackburn - 1:2

Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool - 2:0

West Ham 2-1 Man City - 1:0