Twice in a Blue Moon for Tevez

CARLOS TEVEZ had what must be the final word – for now – in the debate that followed his transfer across Manchester this summer when his two goals earned City a slender first leg advantage in their Carling Cup semi-final with United, a result that gives his club a “51 per cent” chance of reaching the Final.

Ryan Giggs’ first derby goal since 1996 handed United the lead but Tevez hit back clinically.

In a tie full of ill-feeling, police were investigating claims that a cigarette lighter was thrown at United defender Patrice Evra in the second half and of cases of missiles being thrown by fans at each other.

Further, Tevez made a “Be quiet” gesture at former team mate Gary Neville on the United bench after scoring his goal, with the defender being photographed making an obscene gesture at Tevez in response.

But City manager Robert Mancini was a happy man as City celebrated their first major semi-final in 29 years with a spirited fightback and goals which take Tevez’s current extraordinary run to 13 goals in 11 games.

“Carlos played a big game very well. He scored two important goals, but we played very well after 1-0,” said Mancini. “To score twice against United showed that we recovered very well and it’s important that we won the game. I am very happy for Carlos because he is an ex-United player.

“It’s not a big advantage, but it is an advantage. Are we favourites? I think we have a 51 per cent chance!”

There was controversy around Tevez’s opening goal. When Craig Bellamy was held back by badly beaten United full-back Rafael five minutes before the interval, it was the Argentinian forward gleefully hammered in the penalty.

The foul had started outside the area and United clearly felt it should have been a free-kick rather than penalty. “I’m not getting into the penalty,” said Ferguson. “Everybody can see it for themselves.”

The penalty cancelled out Giggs’ early opening goal.

Bellamy appeared to have stifled the danger with a challenge on Valencia but the winger slipped past the City man and took advantage of Vincent Kompany’s failure to cut out the cross. A near-post touch from Wayne Rooney took the ball away from City keeper Shay Given and Giggs was well placed to convert into an open net from practically on the goalline.

But City’s response to falling behind was spirited with Shaun Wright-Phillips ghosting to the right-hand by-line, delivering a perfect cross with which Tevez badly failed to connect from six yards .

In the 57th minute, Evra had to make a timely block to stop Micah Richards shooting in from one scramble following a Bellamy flag kick.

United responded, with Rooney crossing for Giggs whose header drew an amazing save from Given.

Back at the other end and United were simply unable to deal with City’s corners, Bellamy’s 64th minute effort from the left-wing causing more panic in the visiting defence following a weak punched clearance from van der Sar. Pablo Zabaleta did a nice job of keeping the ball live, chipping back into the area for Kompany to cross and find Tevez who headed in from close range.

Things might have got worse for United with van der Sar being forced into a solid, diving save to keep out a Wright-Phillips blast.

Similarly, City had to be alert, however, and Rooney’s one-two with United substitute Michael Owen in the 77th minute played him clean in on goal where Given made a fantastic block. Two minutes later Rooney was again City’s tormentor with a twisting run into the area and an audacious shot which Given tipped over.

United pressed until the end with Valencia missing a far post volley from an Evra cross and Given saving well once again to deny Rooney.

“That's just the way it happens. It can be like that. It can bite you,” said Ferguson of Tevez’s heroics.

“It will be a Man United crowd at Old Trafford and with the occasion and what is at stake we will be okay.”

Match Rating: **** The atmosphere was great even when these rivals were not on an even footing but after United’s 4-3 win at Old Trafford in September, hopefully this memorable tussle is another sign of things to come.

Subs for Manchester City: Onuoha for Boyata 69, Benjani for Tevez 79, Sylvinho for Wright-Phillips 84.

Subs for Manchester United: Owen for Anderson 72, Scholes for Valencia 88, Diouf for Rafael 90.