Carling Cup Results: Liverpool gamble landed at the Bridge

Carling Cup / Mike Norman / 29 November 2011 /

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Sergio Aguero salutes the fans after scoring Man City's late winner against Arsenal

"It was a strong looking Liverpool line-up that took to the field and Betfair punters quickly latched on, the Reds being backed at all rates down to just [3.6] at kick-off."

Manchester City, Liverpool and Cardiff are the first three clubs to reach the semi-final of this season's Carling Cup thanks to hard-earned victories on Tuesday night.

Manchester City needed an 83rd minute Sergio Aguero goal to see off Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this evening but the victory was just about deserved after a game of few clear cut chances.

Two excellent first half saves from Romanian goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon kept City level at the interval, the 0-0 Half Time Score being matched at [4.2].

The game looked to be heading towards extra-time but an incisive City counter attack ended with Adam Johnson playing in Aguero to calmly slot the ball past the Gunners keeper. The Argentine striker was matched at [9.0] to score first with the 0-1 Correct Score being matched at [8.8].

At Stamford Bridge Liverpool repeated their victory over Chelsea from nine days ago thanks to second half goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Kelly, his first goal as a professional.

Liverpool were matched at a high of [5.4] to win the game earlier in the day, a reflection perhaps on the weak side that Kenny Dalglish was expected to select. But it was a strong looking line-up that took to the field and Betfair punters quickly latched on, the Reds being backed at all rates down to just [3.6] at kick-off.

An early Andy Carroll penalty miss threatened to thwart the Liverpool gamble but Rodriguez - scoring at the same end as he did nine days ago - and then Kelly put the away side in command early in the second half.

Rodriguez was matched at [22.0] in the First Goalscorer market, whilst the 0-2 scoreline was backed at a high of [32.0].

Elsewhere Championship side Cardiff heaped more misery on Steve Kean by beating Blackburn 2-0 at an emotional Cardiff City Stadium. Kenny Miller put the home side ahead in the first half before Anthony Gerrard wrapped the game up in the second. The 2-0 home victory was backed at [15.0].

Man City are now the [2.8] favourites to lift the trophy, just ahead of neighbours United ([3.1]) who face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Liverpool can be backed at [3.6] with Cardiff at [22.0] and Palace the complete outsiders at [100.0].

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