El Liverpool conquista la Carling Cup

(EP) El Liverpool ha conquistado su octava 'Carling Cup' tras imponerse en la tanda de penaltis al Cardiff (2-3), en un partido disputado en Wembley que terminó empate en los primeros noventa minutos (1-1) y que tampoco pudo resolverse en la prórroga (2-2), decidiéndose en la tanda de penaltis.

Con este título, el equipo inglés conquista su octava Copa de la Liga y rompe su racha de seis años sin lograr un título, haciendo campeón de nuevo a Kenny Dalgish, último entrenador 'red' que conquistó la ahora llamada 'Premier' con el Liverpool en 1990. Por su parte, el Cardiff vuelve a quedarse a las puertas de un título, en una final que luchó hasta el último minuto.

Tras una espectacular presentación del partido y con tan sólo dos minutos disputados, Johnson demostró las ganas de títulos de los ingleses cuando en su primera subida, culminó una jugada con derechazo que sólo la madera evitó que fuera el primer gol de la tarde.

Con el primer susto 'red', comenzó la final en Wembley con un ritmo pausado y sin demasiadas ocasiones de gol tras la del lateral inglés. El Liverpool, que era dueño del balón, volcaba su juego por las bandas para desde allí colgar balones al área a Carroll, que remataba sin fortuna las ocasiones que disponía.

Por su parte, el Cardiff se mantenía ordenado, pero con la línea de presión arriba, intentando robar el balón para salir a la contra. Sin embargo, fue gracias a una jugada trenzada cuando llegó el primer gol del equipo galés. Mason remató un balón servido por Miller, que vio el hueco en la defensa inglesa, y puso un pase medido al irlandés para que éste adelantara a los galeses en Londres.

Tras el gol, nada cambió y lejos de meterse atrás los de Malky MacKay mantuvieron el 'tú a tú', aunque la superioridad individual del equipo 'Premier' hacía que las ocasiones del partido fueran para los de Liverpool, con un Downing especialmente inspirado.

Fue en la segunda mitad y coincidiendo con la entrada al campo de Bellamy, hincha reconocido del equipo galés que sustituyó a un desaparecido Henderson en banda, cuando el partido se equilibró. En el minuto 60, Skrtel conseguía el empate mandando el balón al fondo de las mallas tras el desajuste defensivo del Cardiff y los remates fallidos de sus compañeros Carroll y Luis Súarez.

Con las tablas en el electrónico de Wembley, bajó el ritmo del choque y, aunque fue el Liverpool quien dispuso de mayores y claras ocasiones, el Cardiff nunca le perdió la cara al partido e incluso, rozando el pitido final, Miller tuvo el título en sus botas cuando, a pesar de estar en una buena posición, su disparo se marchaba alto sobre la portería de Reina.

De esta forma, se cumplían los 90 minutos reglamentarios y el equipo de 'Championship' lograba forzar la prórroga ante el rey de la 'Carling'. Y es que, a pesar de haber hecho méritos suficientes, los de Dalglish no consiguieron volver a perforar la meta de Heaton hasta que Kuyt, que entró en el tiempo añadido, aprovechaba su frescura para hacer el segundo del Liverpool en una jugada personal que finalizó con un disparo esquinado al fondo de la red.

Cuando los aficionados ingleses se veían con la copa en el bolsillo, Reina se convirtió en el desafortunado protagonista del partido cuando, tras fallar primero en un córner, en el siguiente saque de esquina el portero español se quedaba clavado en su área y Turner forzaba la tanda de penaltis con el 2-2.

Con los dos equipos exhaustos tras un partido muy competido, llegó la decisiva tanda desde los 11 metros, en donde el 'red' Gerrard y Adam fallaron los primeros disparos para los ingleses, mientras que los jugadores del Carfiff, muy nerviosos, tan sólo lograron convertir dos pentalis, fallando el tercero definitivo Anthony Gerrard, que otorgaba el título al equipo que capitanea su primo.

FICHA TÉCNICA

RESULTADO: CARDIFF, 2 - LIVERPOOL, 2. (1-0, al descanso). (2-3, en la tanda de penltis)

ALINEACIONES:

CARDIFF: Heaton; McNaughton (Blake, min.106), Hudson (Gerrard, min.99), Turner, Taylor; Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie, Mason (Kiss, min.91) ; Gestede y Miller.

LIVERPOOL: Reina; Jonhson, Skertl, Agger (Carragher, min.86), J.Enrique; Adam, Gerrard, Downing, Henderson (Bellamy, min.58); Luis Súarez y Carroll (Kuyt, min.103).

GOLES:

1-0, min.19, Mason.

1-1, min.60, Skrtel.

1-2, min.107, Kuyt.

2-2, min.118, Turner.

TANDA DE PENALTIS:

0-0, Gerrard, para Heaton.

0-0, Miller, al palo.

0-0, Adam, fuera.

1-0, Cowie.

1-1, Kuyt.

1-1, Gestede, al palo.

1-2, Downing.

2-2, Whittingham.

2-3, Johnson.

2-3, Gerrard, fuera.

ÁRBITRO: Mark Clattenburg (ING). Amonestó a Kiss (min.98), por parte del Cardiff, y Henderson (min.52), por parte del Liverpool.

ESTADIO: Wembley.

Carling Cup Results: Chelsea 2-1 Everton

Wright-Phillips the little-big man as Chelsea steal it

Chelsea take a narrow lead to Goodison, from what was a great Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Sean Wright-Phillips got one goal and had a contraversial role in the second. The first was a superb curling finish and the second a controversial leap via Lescott's shoulders as Lescott put past his keeper, to steal the win for 10 man Chelsea.

Chelsea put Wright-Phillips up front in the absence of Drogba and Kalou (at the African Nations Cup), an injured Andriy Shevchenko and after the substitution of Pizarro. The smallest man on the pitch them promptly put in a very big performance which will have surely impressed new England manager Fabio Capello.

Yakubu Ayegbeni equalised with a stunning shot and with John Obi Mikel having been sent off Chelsea were reeling, but in injury time the Wright-Phillips leap landed a sucker punch. Everton maintain he used Lescott to gain height and the own goal should have been disallowed and to be fair they had a point.

All in all, a draw would probably have been a fairer result, given Evertons spirited performance. Moyes afterwards was understandably annoyed the second Chelsea goal stood, but commended his players for ensuring the tie is still very much alive for the second leg at Goodison Park. You get the feeling though that the narrow win will make all the difference - its Everton now who have to come out and attack, not Chelsea.

Footy Focus prediction - Chelsea to advance to the final and break Everton hearts.

Finally it seems Anelka will be a Chelsea player in a matter of hours. The Times is reporting a final 13 million pound bid from Chelsea will seal the deal with Bolton, which seems good business by Chelsea given the immediate absence of Kalou and Drogba and Drogba's stated intent to move on in the summer.

Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool - Carling Cup

Chelsea won this Carling Cup quarter-final within five minutes around the hour mark. The latest Chelsea deflected goal to break Liverpool hearts was bounced in off Jamie Carraghers leg, and then Peter Crouch showed how long legs can help you fly through the air with an acrobatic albeit dangerous lunge on Mikel. It probably looked more dangerous than it was but he left the referee with no choice and it was a moment of madness that cost his side the game.
Before that Liverpool could justly claim to have shaded the opening hour. They played the better football and carved out the clearer openings. Lucas, Babel and Voronin were all standing out with their neat passing and inter-play.

In the second half Liverpool continued to look dangerous but Chelsea were getting into the game by the minute. Essien went close, with Itandje saving well, while Lampard sent a twenty-yarder into the crowd.

Four minutes before Lampards lucky deflection, Crouch failed to connect properly when Carvalho inadvertently put him one on one with Cech. Shortly after it was all over for Liverpool. Following the Lampard goal Crouch let the red mist descend and lunged needlessly at Mikel, who theatrically rolled around. He needn't have bothered as Crouch's challenge left the referee with no option and he was promptly off.

After that Liverpool had a mountain to climb and in reality Chelsea comfortably saw the game out to seal their place in the Carling Cup semi-final against Everton. Apart from two half chances for Voronin and El Zhar Liverpool predictably struggled to create anything. In the final minutes the show-ponies of Ballack and Shevchenko combined to seal the tie.

Rafael Benitez is certainly a brave man. He played the far weaker team, however upto the hour mark he could justifiably feel vindicated as his Liverpool team shaded the contest with some neat interplay in the last third. Lucas, Voronin, Carragher and Babel were the pick of the visitors but ultimately the game swung on a bit of fortune for Chelsea and a moment of madness from Crouch.

Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool

Chelsea eventually overcome a Liverpool team that caught the eye with some good football via a fortunate Frank Lampard opener and a few minutes later, the sending off of Peter Crouch for a two footed lunge on Mikel.

Liverpool created the better openings of the first half, played some excellent football and with a bit of luck could easily have been ahead. The second half started in similar vein but Chelsea gradually began to get into the game. Lampards goal was incredibly fortunate, looping up and over Itandje off Jamie Carraghers leg. Two minutes later and it was all over for Liverpool as Crouch's frustration boiled over and he was sent off for a two footed challenge on Mikel. Even after this Liverpool created the odd chance with Voronin and El Zhar screwing shots wide.

Chelsea sealed it in the dying minutes with a second. Full match report later.

Carling Cup Results

You have to say it but they were two great results for Arsenal and Tottenham last night. To go to Manchester City and get the win will be a great boost for Tottenham. While Blackburn is always a nightmare place to get a result so Arsene Wenger will be more than pleased with the 3-2 win.

I watched a bit of the Tottenham game and was impressed with some of the football from Spurs. They were creating some great moves in the last third and were unlucky to have Zokora sent off to say the least. Coming on top of the great Portsmouth result, it seems Ramos maybe beginning to work his magic.

Arsenal by all accounts stood upto the physical challenge of Blackburn and played some stunning football to boot, though did give away a two goal lead before triumphing after extra time. They also lost Denilson to a red card and Barazite with a dislocated shoulder. Wenger really is a genius manager the way he has built this squad up. Full marks to the Arsenal board and fans - they've weathered a couple of ordinary seasons to reap the rewards with a young side playing the best football in the league.

With Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton already through to the semi-finals the Carling cup will have a great line-up for the last four whoever goes through from Chelsea and Liverpool (Though I of course am praying for a Liverpool win!)

Chelsea vs Liverpool Carling Cup, Early Team News

Some interesting news coming out ahead of this Carling Cup quarter-final.

Liverpool fans will be relieved that manager Rafael Benitez is going to field a strong side. The big news is that Steven Gerrard is out with a stomach bug (how convenient!) and Xabi Alonso is set to return after a long spell out with the dreaded metatarsal injury. Daniel Agger is still not fit to return as is Jermaine Pennant. Watch out for Rafa springing a surprise in selection or tactics that will have Liverpool fans groaning in anguish.

Chelsea have much bigger injury problems than Liverpool. Terry and Drogba are definitely out with Carvalho still uncertain to return. On the plus side (if you can call it that) the Premier Leagues biggest showpony Michael Ballack returns for this Carling Cup tie. Not sure if the Chelsea fans will consider this a plus but Avram Grant certainly does according to reports. I really can't understand why they persist with him. Pound for pound he really has been the worst value signing - on a par with Winston Bogarde.

Interestingly enough Rafa Benitez's Liverpool are yet to score at Stamford Bridge during his reign (though they should have in last years 2-0 premier league defeat - Gerrard, Kuyt and Bellamy all missing sitters). If Torres plays Liverpool have a chance, if not it will be a painful night with a low score defeat I think!

Chelsea vs Liverpool - Carling Cup

This one is a real poser for Rafa Benitez and one Chelsea can probably afford to lose more than him. Benitez traditionally fields weakened sides in the Carling Cup, however three defeats in a row, two of which are against your biggest rivals at a critical time of year won't impress our friends from across the pond.

Liverpool fans will be hoping Rafa doesn't field one of his strange second string formations. A good balanced team with enough big names in it to win it is whats required. My hoped for team: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Kewell, Babel, Torres.

As for Chelsea they have some major injury problems at the moment. I really think the loss of John Terry will cause them major problems in the coming months and equally Drogba is a huge loss too. The spine of their team has lost two of its most important players however, having said that they are making steady if unspectacular progress under Avram Grant, and are handily placed to come up on the rails in the Premier League.

My gut feel for the result? A narrow Chelsea win and more testing times for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool.

Carling Cup round-up

All the big-guns went through last night with no real surprises. Chelsea had a scare against Leicester going through 4-3 thanks to a Frank Lampard hat-trick after trailing 3-2. Arsenal marched on winnning 3-0 at Sheffield United while Liverpool edged out Robbie Fowlers Cardiff 2-1 thanks to a Steven Gerrard winner.

Elsewhere Man City & Everton grabbed late winners to dump out Bolton & Luton respectively. Blackburn had a great win at Portsmouth to continue their great form while Tottenham got a home win against Blackpool 2-0.