Tevez comes back to haunt Man Utd

Former Manchester United idol Carlos Tevez scored a brace as Manchester City came from behind at Eastlands to win 2-1 in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

United looked comfortable for most of the first period as City sat deep allowing the visitors time and space to move the ball around and when Ryan Giggs put the Reds ahead from close range after a Wayne Rooney flick had been deflected, it looked like City's dream of a first major final in 29 years was about to disappear.

But City were given a lifeline just before half time in controversial circumstances.

Craig Bellamy burst past Rafael who tugged at his shirt outside the penalty area but the Welshman after further tussling went down inside the 18 yard area; referee Mike Dean immediately pointed to the spot.

Tevez then blasted the ball home with tremendous power from 12 yards leaving Edwin van der Sar helpless.

City began the second forty five minutes in much the same fashion allowing their opponents too much respect and Shay Given had to claw away a Giggs effort at his near post.

On 65 minutes Eastlands went wild as United's fragile defence failed to deal with a Bellamy corner and when the ball was hooked back Tevez had the easiest task to head home from six yards.

The Argentinean then ran to the dugouts making quite plain what he thought of Manchester United allowing him to leave Old Trafford.

Shaun Wright-Phillips almost made it three but Van der Sar made a smart save.

The visitor's began to show more urgency as the game progressed and in the last 15 minutes the City goal was under almost constant siege.

In a frenetic end to the pulsating game, including five minutes of injury time, Given saved from Wayne Rooney on three occasions and substitute Michael Owen saw a shot cleared off the line by Nedum Onuoha.

City now take a slender one goal lead to Old Trafford in eight days time for the second leg.