Tevez goals give City edge in semifinal vs. United

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-20 10:51

LONDON - Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez scored twice against former club Manchester United to clinch a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal on Tuesday.

Tevez goals give City edge in semifinal vs. United

Manchester City's Carlos Tevez celebrates after scoring his second goal against Manchester United during their English League Cup soccer match at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, northern England, January 19, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Tevez, who defected from United in the offseason, drove home a penalty just before halftime to cancel out Ryan Giggs' close-range tap-in for the holders.

The striker exploited gaps in the United defense to grab another in the second half. He celebrated by cupping his ears _ the same gesture he directed at United manager Alex Ferguson toward the end of last season after scoring against City when his Old Trafford days were already numbered.

While the League Cup is the lowest priority for most topflight clubs, City is hoping to mark the start of its big-spending revolution by reaching its first final since the 1981 FA Cup and winning its first title since the 1976 League Cup.

Now City has to protect its 2-1 lead in the second leg at Old Trafford next Wednesday.

Manager Roberto Mancini took the bold step of leaving inconsistent forward Robinho on the bench just like in Saturday's 2-0 loss at Everton _ the first blot on the Italian's record since taking charge last month.

The fear of losing to its neighbor saw Ferguson deploy a stronger team than the younger ones sent out in the earlier rounds. The 36-year-old midfielder Giggs and Edwin van der Sar, who was three years the Welshman's senior, both started at Eastlands.

And United looked most threatening in the opening exchanges. Patrice Evra charged into the box after shrugging off Shaun Wright-Phillips and sent a low cross into the six-meter (yard) box for Wayne Rooney, only for Dedryck Boyata to make a vital close-range block.

The 19-year-old Boyata made his senior debut at Middlesbrough only earlier this season, but was entrusted with partnering Micah Richards in central defense.

United took just 17 minutes to find a breakthrough. Anderson passed to Antonio Valencia on the right touchline and after stepping inside Craig Bellamy, the winger crossed to the near post. City goalkeeper Shay Given pushed away Rooney's initial connection from close range, but Giggs was primed to tap home the rebound from two meters (yards).

The goal spurred City into putting more pressure on the visitors. Nigel de Jong came close to leveling when he forced Van der Sar into a fine one-handed save from 30 meters (yards).

And Craig Bellamy's pace was causing problems for United right back Rafael da Silva. When da Silva tugged at Bellamy as he entered the box, referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty, which Tevez slammed into the net three minutes before halftime.

City looked more lethal after the break _ and went ahead in the 65th minute.

When Van der Sar only half-cleared Bellamy's corner, Pablo Zabaleta's off-target effort was turned back into the danger area by Vincent Kompany and Tevez headed home.

City clung on to the victory despite United's relentless attacking as the home fans chanted "Fergie, Fergie sign him up," just as the United faithful had bellowed in the final matches of last season.