Carling Cup

December 2, 2010: The Carling Cup is a domestic cup in English football. There were some blistering matches in the quarterfinals played over the previous two days. Here are the reviews of the two quarterfinals played on Tuesday night.

Arsenal 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners against visitors Wigan Athletic in front of a packed crowd at the Emirate Stadium to reach their 14^th semi final. No other club has achieved this feat. An own goal from Alcaraz in the first half, and a strike by Nicolas Bendtner sealed the game for the Gunners.

In the snowy conditions, both sides struggled in the opening half with neither of them having a clear cut chance at the goals. The breakthrough for Arsenal happened just 3 minutes before half time when Alcaraz unknowingly headed a corner by Theo Walcott into his own net.

After the game resumed, Arsenal started building momentum, and the 2^nd half was strewn with chances for Arsenal. Finally in the 67^th minute, Nicolas Bendtner put the game beyond the reach of the visitors when he slid into the net a cross from another youngster Carlos Vela.

West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United

West Ham United who are languishing at the bottom of the Barclays’ Premier League pulled off a surprise victory over favourites for the cup, Manchester United at Upton Park. The reigning Champions were dumped out of the competition with a brace a piece from Carlton Cole and more devastatingly, their former player Jonathan Spector.

Jonathan Spector was undoubtedly the best man on the pitch as he was at the core of all West Ham attacks. His fine display led to his brace in the first half of the match with a header in the 22^nd minute and a clean finish from close range in the 37^th minute. After the break, the fireworks continued as Cole scored in the 56^th and the 66^th minutes.

Manchester United displayed an unappealing performance since the very start of the game as the youngsters Sir Alex Ferguson decided to play were shrugged off by the more experienced Hammers men. West Ham United This victory has propelled West Ham United to their first ever League cup semi-final in 21 years! Avram Grant, Hammers manager, was particularly proud of this victory and he claimed that this was the turning point in a rather unimpressive season for the home side.

With, Manchester United out of the running for this year’s cup, Arsenal seems to be favourite to lift it. Arsene Wenger has given high importance to this cup, as a showcase for his young talent.

Tags: Arsenal, Carling Cup, Domestic Cup, English Football, Football, Manchester United, Sports, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic