League Cup wrap: Birmingham win derby, Ipswich cause upset

A Nikola Zigic strike six minutes from time has sealed Birmingham City’s progression into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

The Serbian’s 84th-minute goal gave City a 2-1 win against Aston Villa in a hotly contested Birmingham derby that was marred by fan violence after the final whistle.

Both Alex McLeish and Gerard Houllier selected the large majority of their first-choice team for the quarter-final clash, with a capacity crowd at St. Andrews cramming in to watch the ‘Second City derby’.

Birmingham applied all the pressure early and had the perfect chance to take the lead after just 12 minutes when Villa’s Republic of Ireland centre-back Richard Dunne gave away an early penalty.

Former Arsenal midfielder Sebastian Larsson duly converted and the hosts could have easily extended their lead if not for a contentious refereeing decision.

Zigic appeared to have scored when his header crept over the line but the goal was ruled out by assistant referee Darren Cann.

Cann ruled that Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell – standing on the line – was interfering with play, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Against the run of play, Villa grabbed an important equaliser when a Jonathan Hogg through ball fell kindly for the pacy Gabriel Abgonlahor, who produced an assured finish from just inside the box after 30 minutes.

Both sides had their share of second-half chances with Stephen Ireland and Ashley Young going close, while Birmingham – backed by the noisy home crowd – saw their best chance fall to Cameron Jerome, who could not break the deadlock.

But the former Cardiff forward got involved again for in the game’s clincher, stabbing a ball across the face of goal to be helped in by Zigic from close range.

With five minutes of stoppage time given, Villa threw everything at the hosts but failed in search of a winner, sending Birmingham into the last four of the competition.

As the final whistle went, the home fans streamed onto the pitch in celebration and confronted the Aston Villa travelling support.

With the police unable to get the Birmingham fans off the pitch, flares and seats were thrown at the pitch invaders and police in scenes sure to ensure that the second City derby – not played under floodlights since the 2002/03 season – will become a ‘day’ fixture.

In the night’s other match, Championship outfit Ipswich Town surprised West Bromwich Albion with a 1-0 victory at Portman Road.

Roy Keane’s men were dominant in the first half and could have been given a penalty when Hungary striker Tamas Priskin was hauled down in the 18-yard box.

No decision was forthcoming but Ipswich eventually got their penalty in the second-half after Graham Dorrans brought down Carlos Edwards.

Grant Leadbitter duly converted the spot kick and Ipswich held on to make the semi-finals, where they will face Arsenal in a two-legged semi-finals.

The other tie will see West Ham – 4-0 winners over Manchester United on Tuesday – clash with Birmingham.