Carling joy for Cardiff

by Michelle Fortune , 25 January 2012

Cardiff will face either Manchester City or Liverpool in next month's Carling Cup final after overcoming Crystal Palace on penalties.


Cardiff's keeper Tom Heaton was the hero for the Welsh side as he saved two penalties during the shootout, which the Bluebirds won 3-1 to book their first-ever appearance in the Carling Cup final.

Palace held a 1-0 lead going into the semi-final second leg at Cardiff City Stadium but that was soon cancelled out when Anthony Gardner found the back of the net in the seventh minute and from that point onwards the home side dominated.

They had numerous opportunities to finish off the tie, they struck the woodword three times, and with just 12 minutes of normal time remaining they were given a huge boost when Palace were reduced to ten men following Paddy McCarthy's second bookable offence.

However, they failed to capitalise on the extra man and with neither side managing to edge in front a shootout was needed.

Jermaine Easter and Sean Scannell both had their shots saved by Heaton before Jonathan Parr converted the winning penalty to send the home crowd into raptures.

"I was delighted with the way we went about our business. I was very proud of them. We started the game on fire," Cardiff manager Malky Mackay said.

"The early goal calmed everything down and allowed us to probe. It calmed the crowd down and let them attack the game. It was a fine night's work.

"When Aron Gunnarsson hit the bar with the last header of the tie you do think it may be one of those evenings.

"It's obviously a lottery when it goes to penalty kicks but I had great belief in their ability and spirit to keep going.

"I'm delighted for the group of players, I'm delighted for the football club tonight.

"You look all the way through the competition, from Oxford when we had 10 players missing through international duty to tonight where it was always going to be tough, we've shown character and spirit.

"Tonight another little bit of history has been made for this football club.

"It's terrific for everyone at the football club and everyone should embrace it."

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