The Reds beat Chelsea again

The League Cup competition is never really supported by the top clubs until it gets down to the last eight and that was the case last night when four top clubs in England faced off for a place in the semi-finals.

Liverpool took another trip to Stamford Bridge only 10 days after beating the Blues there in the Premier League and once again proved to be the nemesis of the home team with a 2-0 victory.

Andre Villas-Boas left Ramires, Mata, Anelka and Kalou on the bench and didn’t consider Drogba but kept David Luiz as Terry’s centerback partner, while Kenny Dalglish decided to start with Carroll but also left his stars, Kuyt, Skirtel, Adam and Suarez on the bench.

Carroll missed a penalty in the 22nd minute but it was just reward for Chelsea not having been awarded a clear penalty after just two minutes.

Craig Bellamy was the playmaker for the Reds and his pinpoint delivery paved the way for both of Liverpool’s 2nd half goals from Martin Kelly and Maxi Rodriguez.

Chelsea out of the Carling Cup and Villa-Boas now walking a very thin line and could find himself back in Portugal before Christmas.

Across town the Gunners were up against the rampant Manchester City, where neither team had more than a handful of regular stars in the line-up and it cost Arsene Wenger, because the Light Blues scored the only goal when substitute Aguero netted in the 83rd minute to bounce the Gunners out of the competition.

It was a painful display by both outfits and begs the question, should this competition be open to Premier League Clubs as they really don’t take it seriously.

Steve Kean’s future was dealt another painful blow in Cardiff last night when the 1st Division club beat them 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 1966.

Tonight Crystal Palace host Manchester United and with City through one wonders if Sir Alex will take this one seriously  — Staff reporter, SportsCentral

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