Manchester United's youngsters redeemed by Gibson brace

Published on Tuesday 1 December 2009 23:27

DARRON Gibson led the charge of the youth brigade as Manchester United marched into the Carling Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Spurs 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 never looked like ending their hoodoo.

Only 16 minutes were on the clock when Anderson cut in from the left flank and rolled a pass invitingly into Gibson's path 25 yards out. The first-time shot was lethal, flying like an arrow in the top corner, giving Heurelho Gomes not a chance of keeping it out. Gibson's second was another gem. Park Ji-sung started the move, 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, Gomes comprehensively beaten once more. There might have been 51 minutes to play, but, effectively, the tie was over.

Gibson insisted United's youngsters did not have anything to prove. The second string came in for criticism after a Champions League defeat by Besiktas last week, but Ferguson kept faith with them. The Irishman said: "It was a good team performance following last week. We bounced back and the young lads did well. We didn't go out to try and prove anything. Sometimes you have bad days and today was a good day."

Meanwhile, Stewart Downing scored on his first start for Aston Villa to help send them into the Carling Cup semi-finals as they won 4-2 at Portsmouth.

Downing suffered a fractured foot in May, against Villa while playing for 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 pulled one back to set up an exciting finale, but Ashley Young made sure of Villa's victory.

It means Avram Grant can now concentrate on his club's survival campaign in the Barclays Premier League. His first two matches in charge have resulted in defeat, but a Carling Cup quarter-final was hardly the top of his priorities.