Tevez Draws First Blood For Man. City In Carling Cup Semi-Final Against Red Devils

Carlos Tevez tormented former club Manchester United as Manchester City came from behind to steal a slender advantage after the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Eastlands.

Tevez, who crossed the city in the summer in acrimonious circumstances, silenced the taunts of Manchester United's fans by scoring either side of the interval to keep alive City's hopes of securing their first major Wembley final in 29 years.

United looked on their way to securing a result that would put them in pole position for next Wednesday's second leg at Old Trafford when Ryan Giggs slid them into an early lead from close range.

But City were back in the derby when Tevez equalised in controversial fashion three minutes before half-time. Rafael da Silva clearly fouled Craig Bellamy outside the area, but referee Mike Dean waited until the pair were inside the box before pointing to the spot.

Tevez lashed home the penalty and gave his former club further aggravation when he headed home from six yards after 65 minutes and celebrated near the technical area, yards from the man who declined to sign him - Sir Alex Ferguson - as Eastlands went wild.

City then had to survive frenetic closing stages, during which time the brilliant Shay Given saved from Wayne Rooney on three occasions and substitute Michael Owen had a shot smuggled off the line by City's Nedum Onuoha.

City boss Roberto Mancini punched the air in delight at the final whistle, but this semi-final remains delicately balanced with both sides harbouring serious hopes of reaching Wembley.

But the night belonged to Tevez, such a bone of contention between Manchester's football community, and he was given a hero's reception when he was replaced in the closing stages.

Now the scene switches to Old Trafford on 27 January, and City will be be looking to Tevez to inspire them once more at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ferguson, no doubt unwilling to give his neighbours any encouragement, fielded a stronger side than has been his custom in the Carling Cup, and for the first 30 minutes they controlled affairs with ease.

The Eastlands atmosphere, already at fever pitch, was stoked even further as members of City's legendary 1969/70 team were introduced and the stadium was plunged into darkness as a "blue moon" was shone on to the stands, a nod to the club's anthem.

For some time this was as good as it got for City, as United's extra men in midfield exerted their superiority and their opponents appeared stifled by the importance of the occasion.

And Giggs gave United tangible reward for that supremacy when he put them ahead after 17 minutes. He had the simplest of tasks to score after Given could only block Rooney's shot from Antonio Valencia's right-wing cross.

Tevez, predictably, was not being warmly received by the fans who used to idolise him when he was at Old Trafford, but he wasted the perfect opportunity to silence his tormentors when he headed wide when unmarked only eight yards out.

The Eastlands crowd had been unimpressed with City's timid early approach, but they came to life as half-time approached and drew level three minutes before the interval.

Bellamy escaped from Rafael and was tugged back by the United defender outside the area, but when the tangle continued inside the box referee Dean pointed to the spot.

United were furious, but Tevez remained calm amid the mayhem to convert the spot-kick with venom in front of the visiting supporters, much to his obvious delight.

Giggs almost got his second as the hour approached, but Given was alive to the danger and blocked his header at the near post as he closed in on Rooney's cross.

Tevez punished United again after 65 minutes, heading past Edwin van der Sar from close range after Vincent Kompany hooked Pablo Zabaleta's header into the six-yard box.

And United were grateful to Van der Sar as City looked to extend their lead, with the Dutchman saving well from Shaun Wright-Phillips after good work by Bellamy.

This was the signal for Ferguson to make a change as he introduced Owen for Anderson with 18 minutes left.

Owen soon made an impact when he played in Rooney inside the area. Given raced out to make a vital block and City substitute Onuoha was on the line to clear when Owen returned the rebound.

Rooney, as ever, was providing United's inspiration and he was denied again by Given when his rising drive was turned over the top by the keeper.

As five minutes of stoppage time was signalled, Given was still able to frustrate Rooney once more to ensure City preserved their precious lead.

Tevez tangles with his former team mate, Carrick.