Can City finish the job?

So Manchester City head to Old Trafford for the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final derby with a slender 2-1 advantage courtesy of a brace from Manchester United old boy Carlos Tevez. Can they hold on to their lead to progress to Wembley?

As expected, tonight’s game proved that their is no love lost between these bitter rivals, perhaps aggrevated further by the controversial fashion in which City were awarded the penalty which which brought about the equaliser. Tevez hauled his side level from the spot and then sent the blue half of the city into raptures with the winner.

Securing a passage to Wembley still looks like a daunting task for Roberto Mancini’s side though. Much was made before the game of how close City are to dethroning United as the super power in English game. However, in recent times United have become well versed on how to navigate their way to cup finals, something City have not achieved for appreciably longer.

Which Manchester City will turn up in the second leg? The side that has had Mancini offering Sir Alex Ferguson a pizza dinner should United lose? Or the one that failed to perform against Everton?

The Eastlands faithful have the bragging rights for now, but United fans may well be the ones having to make travel plans to London on 28th February if things go accordingly to plan in the second leg. Watch this space, the Carling Cup doesn’t get better than this.

As ever, let us know your thoughts. Will City maintain their advantage and book a date at Wembley? Or will United’s superior record in recent times see them prevail?

January 19, 2010