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Gibson double sees United into League Cup semis

Darron Gibson scored both goals as holders Manchester United defeated Tottenham 2-0 to book their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder found the net with two stunning long-range finishes as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side coasted into the last four without hitch.

Ferguson had come under fire last week after watching a relatively young side surrender the club’s long unbeaten home record in the Champions League as Besiktas triumphed 1-0 at Old Trafford.

But 22-year-old Gibson showed there is decent young talent at United.

Tottenham were disappointing and never looked like causing an upset as their hopes of making it to a third successive final sank without trace.

Despite failing their Champions League test against Besiktas six days earlier, the Turks ending United’s 23-match unbeaten home record in Europe, Ferguson once again put his faith in his young players as the hosts looked to take a giant stride towards winning the cup for a fourth time.

Five of the 11 that started were aged 22 or under including Belgian defender Ritchie de Laet, who was starting his first game of the campaign, while the highly-promising France under-21 winger Gabriel Obertan and striker Danny Welbeck also featured.

Yet it was another young talent who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute in what was a re-run of last season’s final, which United won on penalties.

Gibson still had an awful lot to do after being teed-up by Anderson just outside the area.

But he dispatched a crisp effort which beat Heurelho Gomes for pace and power as Gibson scored the fourth goal of his fledgling United career.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, whose team are third in the Premier League table, claimed before the tie he is more focused on qualifying for the Champions League than winning a trophy.

But despite leaving England’s Peter Crouch on the bench, Tottenham still fielded a strong side – Aaron Lennon, Robbie Keane, Wilson Palacios and Jermain Defoe all on duty.

Defoe has been in awesome form this season, 15 goals already to his name after scoring five in his side’s recent nine-goal trouncing of Wigan.

But the England international will hope Fabio Capello, his national coach, did not witness his shocking 21st minute miss.

That served as a wake up call for the hosts as Gibson lifted the lull with another stunning long-range finish, curling the ball past Gomes seven minutes before half-time.

Redknapp reacted by hauling off midfielder Palacios and replacing him at the start of the second half with Tom Huddlestone.

Although Huddlestone’s introduction failed to spark a comeback, the visitors at least looked lively for the first time.

United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak justified his inclusion ahead of England’s Ben Foster with a fine stop to deny David Bentley following good work from Gareth Bale.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Lennon, alex ferguson, Anderson, ben foster, besiktas, darron gibson, David Bentley, de laet, deadlock, England, Europe, fabio capello, Ferguson, first game, Gabriel Obertan, giant stride, Harry Redknapp, Manchester, manchester united, old trafford, peter crouch, premier league, republic of ireland, Ritchie De Laet, Robbie Keane, semi finals, sir alex ferguson, strong side, tom huddlestone, Wilson, wilson palacios, winger

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