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Holders United ease into last four as Gibson's double strike sinks Spurs
Darron Gibson led the charge of the youth brigade as holders Manchester United marched into the Carling Cup semi-finals.
Tottenham travelled north hopeful of recording their first Old Trafford victory since 1989 and avenging their shoot-out defeat by Sir Alex Ferguson's men in last season's final.
But once Gibson had fired home the first of a brilliant brace, Spurs seldom looked like ending their hoodoo.
Since United started their trophy gathering at the start of the 1990s, there are not many clubs whose record against the Old Trafford outfit bears intense scrutiny.
However, there are some who might as well cross their meetings with United out with a black marker as soon as the fixture list comes out.
Aston Villa are one, Everton another. Then there is Tottenham.
It is so long since Spurs won an away game against United that Gary Lineker scored the winner.
Scoring nine against Wigan is one thing, beating United on their own patch, even with a healthy smattering of youngsters, is quite another.
Tottenham did create chances but every time Robbie Keane or Jermain Defoe got a sight of goal, a red shirt was in the way, usually worn by Nemanja Vidic but also sported by Ritchie De Laet, a young Belgian recruited from Stoke on the advice of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who proved more than David Bentley's equal at left-back.
Sixteen minutes had passed when Anderson cut in from the left flank and rolled a pass invitingly into Gibson's path 25 yards out. His first-time shot arrowed into the top corner giving Heurelho Gomes no chance.
Gibson's second was another gem. Park Ji-sung started the move, Dimitar Berbatov took it on then Gibson got involved, playing a smart one-two with Danny Welbeck before curling another first-time shot into the opposite corner.
Stewart Downing scored on his first start for Aston Villa to help send them into the semi-finals at the expense of Portsmouth.
Downing suffered a fractured foot in May, against Villa while playing for former club Middlesbrough, but manager Martin O'Neill deemed him ready for a starting place after making his debut as a substitute last month and the summer signing wrapped up victory at Fratton Park.
Stiliyan Petrov's early own goal was cancelled out by Emile Heskey's equaliser, with James Milner establishing a lead for the visitors before England winger Downing struck late on.
Kanu had pulled one back to set up an exciting finale but Ashley Young made sure of Villa's victory.
It means Avram Grant, who still needs paperwork to be completed before being officially confirmed as Pompey manager, can now concentrate on his club's survival campaign in the Barclays Premier League.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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