Carling Cup Draw and Odds: United new favourites but City await in semis

Carling Cup / Joe Dyer / 02 December 2009 / Leave a Comment

Carlos Tevez will face off against his former team-mates in the Carling Cup semi-final

"Arsenal's return to Eastlands promised much but delivered little. Emmanuel Adebayor's notorious display back in September ensured there would be spice, but the visitors threatened little. Though the match was goalless at the break, City always looked the more likely scorers and three unanswered strikes from the Sky Blues rewarded their dominance. The 3-0 scoreline was backed at [44.0]."

Draw pits Manchester rivals together while Rovers meet Villa after seeing off Carlo Ancelotti's Premier League leaders

Manchester City will have to get past their most hated rivals, Manchester United, if they are to reach the first final of the new money era at the club.

Mark Hughes' men joined Aston Villa and United in the semi-finals after a 3-0 win over a young Arsenal side at Eastlands tonight.

That trio are joined by Blackburn Rovers who pulled off the upset of the round with a ludicrously dramatic penalty shootout victory over Chelsea, the favourites prior to the quarter-finals.

Betfair's Carling Cup winner market makes United the [2.68] favourites with City a touch back at [3.85]. Villa are [4.3] to lift the trophy while Rovers trade at [7.6], having touched [75.0] during earlier rounds.

Arsenal's return to Eastlands promised much but delivered little. Emmanuel Adebayor's notorious display back in September ensured there would be spice, but the visitors threatened little. Though the match was goalless at the break, City always looked the more likely scorers and three unanswered strikes from the Sky Blues rewarded their dominance. The 3-0 scoreline was backed at [44.0].

In the night's other semi-final, Blackburn were backed at [1.03] to qualify after holding a 3-2 lead deep into extra-time only to concede at the very death to Chelsea. That forced penalties but Paul Robinson's heroics ensured they reached the final four, with the former England keeper pulling off a pair of saves.

The game had not lacked for drama in 90 minutes with both Blackburn and Chelsea holding the lead before eventually drawing at the final whistle. Rovers were matched at [2.1] after opening the scoring only to see the Premier League leaders come back with two goals of their own.

Chelsea touched [1.2] to win but Rovers came back, levelling to rewards backers of the draw at [8.2].