By Rodney Mouawad

 

Liverpool will face Cardiff City in the 2011-12 Carling Cup Final following both teams winning their respective Semi-Finals on Tuesday and Wednesday night respectively.

Championship side Cardiff City advanced through to their first league final and first major final since the FA Cup Final back in 2008 following a 1-1 (3-1 on penalties) two-leg victory over fellow division one side Crystal Palace.

The Welsh side who trailed 1-0 after the first leg drew level on aggregate thanks to an Anthony Gardner sixth minute own goal and despite Palace being reduced a man they were able to survive the extra time period as the game headed into penalties.

However it was Bluebirds goalkeeper in Tom Heaton that was the difference as he made two key saves as Cardiff City won 3-1 on penalties to advance to the final to be played on the final Sunday of this month.

There they will face Liverpool who will be making their first trip to Wembley in 16-years following a dramatic 2-2 (3-2 on aggregate) victory over fellow premiership heavyweights in Manchester City.

Kenny Daglish’s side who lead entered the game at Anfield with a 1-0 lead in the leg dominated the opening proportions of the game but failed to put it on the scoreboard and that would come back to haunt them as the Sky Blues took the lead through a Nigel De Jong long range 31st minute strike.

Reds captain Steven Gerrard equalised for the home side and sent his team back ahead on aggregate from the penalty spot in the 41st minute before Roberto Mancini’s side re-took the lead and levelled the overall proceedings through an Edin Dzeko 67th minute goal.

However Man City’s celebrations only lasted seven minutes as former Sky Blues player in Craig Bellamy ensured Liverpool would be heading to their first Carling Cup Final in seven years with the game’s equaliser and aggregate winner in the 74th minute.

2011-12 Carling Cup Final:

Cardiff City v Liverpool – Wembley Stadium; Sunday February 26th

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