Five memorable Carling Cup semi first legs
This week's Carling Cup semi-finals aren't quite as glamorous as the Manchester and north London derbies of recent years but as the five ties that we've anointed our favourite 21st century semi-final first legs show, very few matches at this stage in the competition disappoint...
Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool (January 10 2001)
Liverpool's cup bogey team haunted them yet again as Andrej Rubins and Clinton Morrison fired the Eagles 2-0 in front. Vladimir Smicer's 78th-minute consolation handed the Reds the impetus to fight back and win the return 5-0 though, a vital triumph as they would go on to complete a cup treble.
Arsenal 0-1 Middlesbrough (January 20 2004)
Steve McClaren may need a morale boost as the pressure mounts at Wolfsburg so here goes. The future England boss made Middlesbrough to become the only team to beat Arsenal domestically in their Invincibles campaign, with Juninho's second-half goal seeing off a weakened Gunners side.
Bolton 5-2 Aston Villa (January 21 2004)
Both clubs had fully earned their semi-final spots, with Bolton victorious at Anfield and Villa dumping out Chelsea, and they didn't disappoint on their big night, sharing seven goals. The hosts' great start made the difference, Jay-Jay Okocha netting in the second minute as they stormed into a 3-0 lead.
Wycombe 1-1 Chelsea (January 10 2007)
Arsenal are [1.38] to win at Ipswich but League Two side Wycombe showed that a gap in class can be overcome. The Chairboys won away to Fulham and Charlton to receive a shot at the champions and caused another shock courtesy of Jermaine Easter, before eventually bowing out at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (January 19 2010)
Roberto Mancini's first Manchester derby lived up to the hype as Carlos Tevez cancelled out Ryan Giggs opener from the penalty spot and then went on to score again after the interval to give the Citizens a first-leg advantage. On this occasion at least, their bragging rights lasted only eight days.
Feel we've missed out a great game? Want to give a nod to a 20th century classic? Then do so with a comment in the box below...
Published: 11 Jan 2011
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