Carling Cup Semifinals

Liverpool 2-2 (3-2) Manchester City
Cardiff City 1-0 (1-1)(3-1) Crystal Palace

Liverpool ends City's Cup dreams, salvaging a draw at home to advance on aggregate to the Carling Cup final. Steven Gerrard put Liverpool level with a penalty after Nigel de Jong put the visitors up. Edin Dzeko again put City ahead but Craig Bellamy leveled the score. Bellamy is an interesting story, purchased by City from Liverpool for a large transfer fee, then released on a free back to his former team. He will now face Cardiff City in the final, the place of his birth.

Anthony Gardner scored goals for both teams on both sides of this home-home tie, putting in the game winner for Crystal Palace in the first leg and an own goal in the return leg. Patrick McCarthy was sent off in the 78', and Cardiff dominated the extra period. They were unable to convert on their chances though, and the game was sent into penalty kicks, where Tom Heaton made two great saves for the home team and send them on to the final.

The Carling Cup final will be at Wembley Stadium on February 26, at 8:00am here on the west coast.