Manchester City – Manchester United

Hello all and welcome to this mouthwatering Carling Cup clash between Manchester City and Manchester United from Eastlands. It is 34 years since City have won a trophy and the team of 2010 will be aiming to emulate that 1976 League Cup triumph, with a semi-final first leg clash with United the perfect chance for the Citizens to prove their credentials.

There has been speculation aplenty about how the teams would line up, with many suggesting that Sir Alex Feguson would field a weakened team. I can tell you that that is not the case.

Here are the teams...

MAN CITY: Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Boyata, Garrido, De Jong, Kompany, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Tevez, Bellamy. SUBS: Taylor, Onuoha, Ireland, Robinho, Sylvinho, Petrov, Benjani.

MAN UTD: Van der Sar, Rafael, Brown, Evans, Evra, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney, Giggs. SUBS: Kuszczak, Neville, Owen, Park, Scholes, Fabio, Diouf.

So, still no sign of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for United, Evans and Brown will continue to try to forge a central defensive partnership. It's a strong United midfield with Giggs and Fletcher coming in for Nani and Scholes.

Biggest news for City is that youngster Dedryk Boyata comes in to central defence. The Belgian started his first game for Mancini's side in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough.

Kick-off has been delayed a little to make up for the fact this one is being shown on the BBC. Rare for the beeb to get a live game these days - they had to try and fit in with the end of Eastenders!

The players are out on the pitch now, and Tevez is wearing no headband - is that a sign that he means business? Big game for him.

Craig Bellamy scored two in the 4-3 league defeat earlier this season, watch ut for him playing on the left of a three-pronged attack with Wright-Phillips and Tevez.

United suddenly seem keen to retain the trophy, and Sir Alex will be hoping that he can get one over on Roberto Mancini.

And we're off...

Massive game and the atmosphere is incredible at Eastlands.

Tevez and Wright-Phillips chase down Evans early and it's a throw for City high up the field.

Van der Sar out quickly, it's his first appearance in this competition since the 2006 final victory against Wigan.

Evans fouls De Jong. Free-kick City.

Tevez gets his first touch on the ball but it's just gone out of play. The Argentine striker was roundly booed by United fans, similarly to at Old Trafford.

Valencia down the right after being released by Carrick. He gets the cross in but it's too long.

Cross comes in this time from Fletcher and it's cleared well by Richards, with giggs looking for it.

Tevez forward for City and he tries to release Zabaleta but it's intercepted by Rafael.

Good possession from United so far but City looking a little more urgent.

Saying that, United just pumped up a free-kick too quickly. Given away.

De Jong with a strong tackle on Rooney, getting all of the ball.

Anderson playing just off rooney at the moment with Giggs, Carrick and Fletcher in the middle.

Good possession by City but here comes Evra on the break.

Valencia seeing plenty of the ball. He gives it to Rooney who looks for Anderson on the dash. But it's blocked away.

Good skills from Wright-Phillips to get past Giggs and he gets the cross into Tevez. poor first touch by the Argentine and the chance has gone.

Gareth Barry hasn't seen too much of the ball so far. He's only tasted victory once in 26 games against United in his career.

Giggs broke forward and looked to take on Richards but good tackle by the centre-back.

Kompany brings down Rooney in the centre circle. Free-kick.

United just holding on to the ball with Evra but as I say that Wright-Phillips pickpockets the Frenchman. Anderson brings down the winger and it's a City free-kick.

Zabaleta tries to combine with Richards but it's given away and United break. Poor long pass from Anderson. The raking ball was looking for Rooney but it failed miserably to find him.

Barry wins it in midfield and City come forward. Successive handball shouts against Fletcher and Evans. Would have been harsh.

Another United break and Evra shrugs off a challenge. He looks for Rooney but Kompany gets an important block in.

Foul on Richards and City have a free-kick in an advanced position. Barry to take.

Good ball but Brown heads away for a throw-in.

United corner now after another Evra break. Just as a point of note, we're looking at Richards right back, Boyata and Kompany centre-backs and Garrido left back in City's defence.

Giggs takes but it's easily headed away.

GOAL! Giggs

Man City 0-1 Man Utd. Corner was cleared but Valencia got the ball in space. He swept past Bellamy and teed up Rooney whose shot was saved by Given but rebounded into the path of Giggs for a tap-in.

That was Giggs' first derby goal since 1996.

And a fourth of the season for the Welshman. City free-kick now though after a foul on Wright-Phillips.

Barry crosses it in, it's punched away by Van der Sar and then Bellamy puts it in the box. The ball falls to Tevez but he's forced to the by-line by Evans and can't get an effective cross in.

United have had acres of space in midfield. No pressure on the ball and City have gone to a five-man midfield. Bellamy left, with Zabaleta, De Jong and Barry all in the middle and SWP on the right.

Garrido is down on the ground and looks hurt after a clash with Rooney.

Thirteen City managers have tried and failed to match the exploits of Sir Alex Ferguson since the Scot arrived at Old Trafford in 1986.

City streaming forward now.

Wright-Phillips down the right and it's a pinpoint cross towards Tevez. He's missed a good opportunity there as he can't get a clear connection.

United keeping hold of it again, Carrick and Fletcher are having a field day with so much space.

Poor ball from Fletcher and Garrido looks for Bellamy who in turn searches for Barry. But the England midfielder is offside.

Wright-Phillips has been City's best player so far. he's looked dangerous with the ball at his feet.

Tevez releases Bellamy down the left but there's no one in the box for City. Great pace by Bellamy and he's forced a corner after Rafael's tackle.

Barry takes it and Brown just gets in ahead of Richards. Corner number two for City.

Bellamy takes this time but it's punched away by Van der Sar. bBellamy gets a second bite but it's comfortably in the hands of the Dutchman.

Tevez tackled well by Brown but he doesn't give up and tries to force Van der Sar into a mistake. Not this time.

Fletcher tries to curl one in to Rooney, but it's cleared away.

Tevez goes in late and high on Brown. Had this not been a derby it would have been a yellow but Mike Dean decides against it.

De Jong gets the better of Anderson with some neat skill well inside his own half. Risky but it worked well.

Just saw the replay of that City chance before, Richards headed it into Van der Sar's grasp, courtesy of a big deflection off Boyata.

Brown looks long for Valencia but the Ecuador winger is offside this team.

This is the 153rd meeting between these sides in all competitions. United have won 62 to Man City's 41, with 49 draws.

Rooney accelerating powerfully through midfield and he moves it to Giggs. The ball comes out to Carrick and he tries a "Darron Gibson" special from thirty yards out. Miles over the bar.

Given looking short fromt he goal-kick but there's not too much movement so he looks long.

City on the chase now with Bellamy. United players are all around him, where is the support from the City midfield? It's given away but the Welshman had no options there.

Tevez buzzing around Evans and Van der Sar as they keep the ball betweeen them. The noise levels have started to increase at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Evra blocks out Richards and it's a free-kick to City in United's's half. Richards was on the gallop and now Barry can deliver.

He curls it deep and it come sout to De Jong who crashes a shot towards Van der Sar's goal. He blocks it with one hand and holds onto it. Excellent from the goalkeeper.

United's only League Cup victory over City came in the third round of the 1974/75 competition.

City now holding onto the ball. Bellamy looking to step up the threat. He goes down under the challenge from Rafael but the referee deems it a fair challenge.

Tevez penalised for a foul on Evans. He's complaining to the referee but he basically just pushed Evans over chasing the ball in the United box.

PENALTY!

Rafael pulled back Bellamy and he's also been given a yellow card. Suspicion that it may have been outside the box.

Tevez to take. What a story.

Van der Sar booked for delaying the spot-kick.

GOAL! Tevez

Man City 1-1 Man Utd. There was plenty of agression in that penalty. He smashes it into the top of the net.

Get out of jail card for City, who have been on the back foot for much of the game so far. Ferguson looks fuming but City are back in it. 15th goal of the season for Carlito.

It's started to get a bit feisty as Valencia and Bellamy crash into each other. Bellamy went flying in and the two exchanged stern words afterwards. The ref looks to have calmed it down.

Another foul from Bellamy but he's still escaped the referees book. Lucky boy.

Giggs brings United forward now but City have won it back.

And this time United have it back. It's end-to-end stuff now. The goal has given the game a real lift.

United pressing hard now with Valencia down the right. But the half-time whistle goes at Eastlands.

HALF-TIME. Man City 1-1 Man Utd. United probably the better team on the whole and they took a deserved lead through Giggs' tap-in. City pushed back though and a controversial penalty decision gave Tevez the chnce of some revenge on his former employers. Expect an exciting second-half.

Grab a cup of tea and I shall see you again in 15 minutes...

Players are back out on the pitch and ready for action.

And we're off...

United kick-off and there's no changes at the interval.

Tevez runs at Rafael and he also outmuscles Anderson but he can't get the cross in.

This year's League Cup final will be 34 years to the exact day City last won the competition. An omen maybe?

Evra looks hurt and that's bad news for United. He's been one of their most consistent performers this season. Bad memories of Eastlands for him as he made a poor debut here in a 3-1 defeat.

Evra tries to take the throw-in but he's not allowed to as he's not officially back on the pitch.

Superb ball from Brown to Rooney but Given spread himself well to block.

Valencia takes it and Brown heads it back to Rooney whose header is a little timid. Comfortable for Given.

The last three Manchester derbies at Eastlands have ended 1-0, twice in United's favour.

City come forward with Boyata and then Richards. Giggs penalised for a soft foul in Richards. Free-kick for City.

Played short and Bellamy has it down the left now. Valencia wins the ball from Tevez but the ref has given a free-kick. Possibly hands on the Argentine's back.

Garrido swings it in and Kompany runs in late but heads it just wide.

United given a corner under dubious circumstances. Given collected the ball and did keep it in but not according to the assistant.

Giggs swings it in and it's cleared. Another corner won and it'as cleared again.

Wright-Phillips on the break but United shirts stream back, I reckon Rooney ran about 60 yards there!

De Jong searches for Barry whose made a good run but the England midfielder pushes Fletcher to the ground.

This is City's first major semi-final since they defeated Ipswich Town to reach the 1981 FA Cup final.

City corner now after Zabaleta's attempted cross was deflected out. Barry to take.

Brown did well to head it behind for a nother corner. He was sandwiched between Richards and Boyata.

Bellamy takes and Van der Sar tips it away before Evra clears it ouyt for another.

Barry again and Brown knocks it out this time. ANOTHER City corner.

Bellamy's effort deflected away and fnally United clear their lines.

But here they come again. Barry in space down the right turns inside and picks out De Jong on the edge. His cross-cum shot is both high and wide.

Great effort from Giggs! Rooney down the left and he crosses it in to the United captain. He heads it from a a narrow angle and Given parries it away.

City coming forward again and they have definitely been the better side since half-time. Great defending by Valencia though to get out of trouble close to his own goal line.

Bellamy and Tevez looking to run at Rafael at every opportunity. A good tactic with the Brazilian youngster on a booking.

Giggs and Evra combine well down the left and the ball finds it's way to Rooney, who lifts his effort over the bar from 20 yards.

Evra and Giggs again down the left but De Jong times his challenge perfectly and distributes to Wright-Phillips, who is brought down a little more cynically by Michael Carrick.

Wright-Phillips bursts through and his through ball to Bellamy takes a deflection off Rafael. City corner.

GOAL! Tevez.

Man City 2-1 Man Utd. He's done it again. The ball went long to Kompany who hooked it back in where an unmarked Tevez nodded it home unmarked.

He ran to the middle of the park and put his hands to his ears. Anyone think he might have been doing that to Sir Alex perchance?

Ferguson looking pretty relaxed but it was poor defending by United.

"Fergie sign him up" is the chant from the City fans.

United coming forward now with Valencia but Anderson is sandwiched out of it after he crossed it in.

Evra to Rooney who tees up Fletcher on the edge but it's a good block from Barry.

CITY SUB: Onouha on for Boyata.

The young Boyata has been a little disappointing tonight and this commentator for one is wondering why Onouha didn't start.

Great save by van der Sar. Bellamy sped down the left and he found Wright-Phillips whose swerving shot was parried away by the Dutchman. Great pace from Bellamy.

Michael Owen warming up for United.

UNITED SUB: Owen on for Anderson.

United throw-in deep in City territory.

Evra plays it off Zabaleta and wins a United corner.

Giggs takes but it's too high for Brown. Valencia looks back to Van der Sar who nearly messes up his clearance with bellamy waiting for the slip-up.

Giggs threads it through to Owen but he's outmuscled by Onouha.

City beat United 4-0 en route to winning the 1976 League Cup final. They also beat United 4-3 on aggregate in the 1969/70 semi-final.

Barry comes through the middle and lays it off to Tevez on a hat-trick! But it's over the bar.

Rooney and Owen combine well on the edge of the box and Given comes out to greet the onrushing Rooney. The ball comes out to Owen but it's a poor connection - though it bobbled through to Richards on the line who cleared it away.

United looking to press for the equaliser now and Evans looks long but it's overhit towards Giggs.

CITY SUB: Benjani on for Tevez

So no hat-trick for Tevez but the damage has certainly been done. He's worked hard and has inspired City's comeback.

Stunning break from United, Owen plays it to Rooney and he ghosts past three before seeing his shot palmed over by Given.

City defending desperately and the atmosphere is fantastic at Eastlands. Another corner now.

Giggs goes short to Rooney and he puts the cross in but no-one has gambled.

City can breathe again. But there's ten minutes left and plenty left in this game.

Evra streams through the midfield after great interplay (not for the first time) with Giggs. De Jong cynically brings down the Frenchman and takes a booking for his troubles.

Rooney down the left looking dangerous every time.

MAN CITY SUB: Sylvinho on for Wright-Phillips.

Defensive change from Mancini.

Fletcher tumbled over but too easily according to referee Mike Dean.

Carrick picks the ball up from deep and looks long but there is no-one on the end of his 80 yard pass.

Great chance for United! Evra skinned De Jong and put a cross in and Valencia had the goal at his mercy on the volley. he missed but it turns out he was offside anyway.

UNITED SUB: Scholes on for Valencia.

Man Utd are the current League Cup holders. They also won the 1992 and 2006 League Cups. They have been runners-up four times (1983, 1991, 1994, 2003).

Starting to get a bit untidy. Scholes sells Evra short with the pass. Not a great introduction. But Zabaleta misses out on the return ball and United have it back.

Rafael and Carrick combine down the right and the Brazilian's cross is knocked away.

UNITED SUB: Diouf on for Rafael.

Fergie throwing caution to the wind. 5 added minutes and United have a corner.

All 11 city players behind the ball at the moment. Evra tries to threas it through to Rooney but it's intercepted.

Rooney effort, saved brilliantly by Given. Was heading onto the post. Corner for United and Giggs swings it in. Diouf stoops to head it but it's well wide.

Evra gives the ball away cheaply and City have a chance to regroup.

What an exciting finish at Eastlands. United throwing the kitchen sink at City but they've stayed strong thus far. Rooney brings it down well in the box, but it's away for another corner.

Cleared away again.

And here come City on the break with...Sylvinho. Not the best person to break at pace.

It's all over...

FULL TIME: Man City 2-1 Man Utd. Excuse the cliche but you couldn't have written the script. Two for Tevez and United only stepped up the urgency with ten minutes left. Great result for Mancini and City and it leaves the second-leg nicely poised. Tevez and Rooney the two outstanding performers. See you all next time...