Crystal Palace produced the Carling Cup result of the season after knocking Manchester United out after extra-time in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
Glenn Murray struck the winner in the 98th minute as Dougie Freedman’s men claimed a 2-1 victory. United’s youngsters could not find the goal they needed thereafter, despite a too little, too late, siege on Lewis Prcie’s goal. Earlier, in regulation time, Palace went in front with a stunning strike from sub Darren Ambrose before Federico Macheda equalised from the penalty spot three minutes later.
Palace will now play in an all-Championship semi-final, having been drawn against Cardiff after their Old Trafford heroics.
United, as you would expect, used their squad for the clash with the Championship side. Dimitar Berbatov began in attack, where he was supported by Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf, while Darron Gibson made his first start of the season in midfield. Ben Amos started in goal and Da Silva twins Rafael and Fabio manned the full back positions.
It was Palace, however, who started far the livelier as Wilfried Zaha 'space gave Fabio such a torrid time that the twin defender eventually did himself an injury and had to be forced off in the 37th minute. Before that though Zaha blasted his opening salvo over the bar after running at United’s defence, and he was soon to see a seven-yard effort also clear Amos’ bar.
Jermaine Easter and Sean Scannell were also troubling United’s back line, while at the other end Berbatov was labouring, prompting Sir Alex Ferguson to shove Macheda further forward.
The Italian showed good feet to create space on the left and try and set up Berbatov but David Wright cleared the danger, before Gibson saw a shot deflected wide.
The hosts’ rhythm remained off key though and Stuart O’Keeffe was teed up by Scannell, but failed to test Amos. Fabio, and soon after Scannell, were then replaced by Ezekiel Fryers, and Jonathan Parr, as both sides were hampered by injuries.
With half-time nearing, Antonio Valencia crossed for Diouf to send an acrobatic volley over Price’s bar, but the deadlock remained intact until the whistle.
Berbatov did not reappear for the second half, with the much-talked about Ravel Morrison thrown on in his place. Ambrose also came on at this point as Palace added Dean Moxey to their injured list, and they initially looked set for a long 45 minutes when United started the half with far more intent.
Valencia had their first chance of the half after nicking the ball away from Anthony Gardner and bombing for goal from the right flank. He eventually let fly but a slight touch from Price took the ball behind, the Palace goalkeeper getting the added bonus of seeing a goal kick incorrectly awarded.
Price then kept out a thumping effort from range from Morrison before the young sub was slipped in by Valencia, but was denied by the feet of the busy Eagles goalkeeper.
Macheda then found space to shoot from the left of the area but blasted his shot off target, before another young United face - Paul Pogba – came on as Rafael followed his brother to the physio’s room.
All United’s second half pressure had counted for little at this point and it counted for even less when Ambrose buried a trademark stunner against the run of play. The former Newcastle and Charlton man received the ball from Zaha 40 yards from goal, and took advantage of a bit too much space to let fly with a vicious rasper that flew into Amos’ top right-hand corner.
Pogba immediately saw an ambitious effort deflected behind as United hit back after Patrick McCarthy conceded a spot-kick. As Macheda looked to escape from the Irishman he dragged him down in the area, with the striker picking himself up to slot home a calm penalty and bring the sides level.
That put it right in the balance but, tired as they must have been getting, Palace did not fall to pieces and the precociousness of Zaha and energy levels of the impressive Parr meant that they got forward and won more than once corner to worry the Red Devils in the closing stages of the ninety.
Morrison sent a poor effort wide from 20 yards before Murray rammed into the side netting for Palace at the other end, but neither side was able to grab a winner and 30 more minutes were required.
Gibson, urged to shoot by United’s fans all night, sent two efforts from range fizzing just wide in the first half of extra-time, however sandwiched between them was Murray’s all-important goal. Ambrose was the creator, sending in a perfect free-kick and the ball flew into Amos' net off of the shoulder of the former Brighton man.
Macheda shot wide with just Price to beat as United tried to respond again, while Ambrose almost scored another screamer with a free from distance.
The second half of the extras saw United constantly send the ball to Valencia on the right, but too often his final balls came to nothing. The last of them fell all the way to Diouf on the far side, and his chance was blocked as Palace held on for a heroically-achieved victory.