Liverpool raided Chelsea for the second time in 10 days to reach the
semifinals of the League Cup on Tuesday, while Manchester City also
grabbed a victory against a Premier League title rival in London to
qualify for the last four.
Craig Bellamy set up goals for Maxi Rodriguez in the 58th
minute and Martin Kelly in the 63rd as seven-time competition winner
Liverpool won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to pile the pressure on Chelsea
manager Andre Villas-Boas, whose team has now lost five of its last nine
matches in all competitions.
It was an emotional night for Bellamy, who returned to the
Liverpool team two days after missing its 1-1 draw with Manchester City
in the Premier League because he was too upset to play following the
death of former Wales teammmate Gary Speed on Sunday.
The striker held back the tears prior to kickoff on Tuesday as
fans and players from both sides conducted a moving one minute's
applause at Stamford Bridge in honor of Wales'national team manager,
before going on to play a key part in Liverpool's dismantling of the
home side.
"Speedo was regarded as his mentor," Liverpool manager Kenny
Dalglish said of Bellamy. "To come back and play like that speaks
volumes."
City, which is five points clear at the top of the Premier
Leaue, transferred its form to England's second-ranked club competition,
beating Arsenal 1-0 thanks to an 83rd-minute goal by Sergio Aguero.
The Argentina striker, who came off the bench midway through
the first half, met a pass from Adam Johnson with a thumping shot past
Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski as Ciy eliminated Arsene Wenger's
side in the quarterfinals for the second time in three seasons.
Second-tier Cardiff reached the last four for the first time since 1966 by beating Premier League struggler Blackburn 2-0.
Manchester United looks to become the third northwest power to
make the semifinals when ithosts Crystal Palace in Wednesday's only
match.
Chelsea was unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Liverpool in the league
on Nov. 20 but was outclassed 10 days later, even though Liverpool was
playing just 48 hours after a gruelling match against City.
"It's a pity for us," Villas-Boas said. "We had a good chanceto progress at home but Liverpool were far superior."
Andy Carroll wasted a glorious chance to put Liverpool ahead,
blasting a 22nd-minute penalty straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Ross
Turnbull after Alex was penalized for handling the ball in his own box.
Rodriguez made no mistake from close range just beore the hour,
though, tapping home at the far post after running onto a inch-perfect
cross by Bellamy, who had broken the offside trap on the right wing.
Bellamy was again the provider five minutes later when he swung
in a great free kick from the left that was glanced in by England
under-21 defender Kelly.
Chelsea's defeat - its third in a 10-day span in three different
competitions - will be another tough pill to swallow for Villas-Boas,
who had to deal with chants from Liverpool's vocal fans of "You're
getting sacked in the morning" in the second half.
With the Blues 10 points off the lead in the Premier Lague and
facing possible elimination from the Champions League, their best chance
of silverware may have been the League Cup.
They were poor throughout, with their midfield totally
dominated and striker Fernando Torres - a 50 million pounds ($81
million) signing from Liverpool in January - anonymous.
Arsenal's hopes of making the semifinals for the fifth time in
seven seasons were dashed by a City team containing two former Gunners -
playmaker Samir Nasri, who joined in the summer for 25 million pounds,
and defender Kolo Toure.
Every time Nasri touched the ball, he was booed and the France
international was also on the receiving end of a number of chants,
including "You only quit for the money."
Arsenal officials were also forced to reject rumors that
punches were thrown between Nasri and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel
Frimpong in the tunnel after the match, saying that only words were
exchanged. There appeared to be tensions between the two during the
match.
City is looking to add another cup to its trophy haul after
winning the FA Cup last season to end a 35-year wait for major
silverware.
"It's better to win here in the Premier League," Mancini said.
"But it's a good feeling because we're in the semifinals of this
competition."
Scotland striker Kenny Miller gave Cardiff the lead in the 19th
against Blackburn before Anthony Gerrard - the cousin of Liverpool
midfielder Steven Gerrard - wrapped up the win five minutes after the
break for the team currently third from top in the League Championship.
