Sir Alex Praises Gibson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praised Darron Gibson after the midfielder scored both goals in the 2-0 Carling Cup win over Tottenham.

The 22-year-old shone alongside equally impressive Anderson in the quarter-final at Old Trafford.

"The two stars were Gibson and Anderson," said Ferguson.

"Darron's second goal in particular was fantastic. There was good movement and a terrific finish. Anderson is very quick and powerful - he's a handful."

The match was a rerun of last year's final and while Tottenham enjoyed large spells of possession at a wet Old Trafford, it was United who showed a cutting edge, with Gibson's double strike taking the game beyond Spurs.

His first goal was a low strike from 25 yards and his second a curling shot into the top corner after he collected a return pass from Danny Welbeck.

Ferguson added: "Darron is the one player in our club who can score great goals from outside the box. He has such tremendous power in his shot.

"Anderson managed to impose himself on the game, he was beating players. I want these lads to enjoy the semi-finals because they will play again - they are all definitely getting better.

"We're gaining because they are getting the chance to play in these matches.

"We finished up comfortable winners and we have to look upon this as a really good win for us. Tottenham have improved tremendously and look as if they are going to push for the top four."

In addition to Gibson, fringe players such as winger Gabriel Obertan, full-back Ritchie De Laet and striker Welbeck started the match - and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp felt it was a wasted opportunity for his team.

"I am very disappointed," stated Redknapp. "You are never going to get a better opportunity than we did in the first half but haven't punished them when we had the chance.

"We've been playing so well recently but there was no atmosphere.

"It was played at a lethargic pace and we didn't make a tackle in the first half. It was like a practice match, it just never got going."