Carlos Tevez produced an inspired display as Man Utd beat Blackburn 5-3 to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals as Paul Scholes returned.
Argentine on fire as Scholes makes comeback
Carlos Tevez produced an inspired performance as Manchester United reached the Carling Cup semi-finals after a thrilling 5-3 home win over Blackburn Rovers.
The Argentine striker made the most of his starting opportunity, with Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney rested, as he took home the match ball and had a hand in all five of United's goals.
A reflex save from Ben Foster denied Stephen Warnock early on before Rovers defender Martin Olsson cleared Darron Gibson's header off the line.
United made the breakthrough on 36 minutes when Ryan Giggs' free-kick to the far post appeared to be guided past Paul Robinson by Aaron Mokoena under pressure from Tevez.
The hosts increased their lead four minutes later when Nani played a neat one-two with Tevez on the edge of the box before his right-footed shot took a nick off a defender on its way past Robinson.
Rovers introduced Benni McCarthy at half-time and, within three minutes, the substitute made an impact as he drove a shot inside the near post after United had failed to deal with a long ball.
But six minutes later the game was put beyond Blackburn's reach as Tevez scored from the penalty spot after being tripped by Andre Ooijer and he then had the simplest of finishes after good work by Giggs and Anderson.
Paul Scholes made his return from a knee injury for United before the visitors briefly threatened a stunning comeback when Matt Derbyshire pulled one back and then McCarthy turned home a low cross at the near post.
It was perhaps fitting, though, that Tevez would have the final word as he thumped a volley past Robinson deep into stoppage-time following Anderson's ball over the top.
Bereft of ideas
With his team in such an awful state, Paul Ince might have welcomed a return to his old club, but unfortunately for the Rovers boss, his men were bereft of ideas.
Warnock forced a good early save out of Foster and amid a flurry just before the deadlock was broken Derbyshire threatened with a long-range strike that swerved fiercely.
But for a side virtually at full strength it was a disappointing return against a United line-up changed completely from the one that defeated Manchester City on Sunday, save for young Brazilian full-back Rafael Da Silva.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team took some time to get going but once they did, a clear edge was established and it became when, not if, the hosts would score.
Gibson nearly did it, meeting Giggs' outswinging corner with a firm header that dropped over Robinson, but not Olsson, who nodded it off the line.
Jonny Evans also went close and so did Tevez, whose rising shot rose just too much after he had showed admirable strength to hold off a posse of Blackburn defenders when collecting John O'Shea's pass.
After slotting home the winner against QPR from the penalty spot in the previous round, Tevez was credited with the opening goal against Rovers too.
TV replays were not conclusive as he jumped with Mokoena to reach Giggs' far-post corner, but few would begrudge the forward his third goal of the season.
Just over half an hour later, no-one was willing to take the goal off Tevez, although the intervening period was one of spellbinding excitement.
Nani continued the goal-fest with a powerful finish to a solo run that involved receiving Tevez's cushioned return pass.
Three minutes after the restart, Rovers fans had something positive to occupy their minds as substitute McCarthy shrugged aside Gary Neville and belted home after a previously non-existent Roque Santa Cruz had flicked on Robinson's goal-kick.
Any thoughts Ince might have harboured about a comeback were cruelly extinguished almost immediately as Giggs sent Tevez scampering into the area.
Ooijer bundled the South American over and Tevez sent Robinson the wrong way with his penalty.
Majestic move
Anderson clearly knew the significance of Tevez's situation as he provided his team-mate with a tap-in when United next attacked.
The move itself was majestic as Giggs found Anderson with a supreme back-heel, triggering a series of one-twos, the final touch turning out to be the easiest.
With the game seemingly in the bag, Ferguson introduced Scholes for his first appearance since suffering a knee injury against AaB Aalborg nine weeks ago.
Derbyshire then scored late on, as United switched off in alarming fashion just as they did against Hull last month, Olsson hit a post before McCarthy reduced the arrears to just one in stoppage time.
But Tevez was not going to be denied and lashed home another with virtually the final kick to send United through.
| Manchester United |
Team Statistics |
Blackburn Rovers |
| 5 |
Goals |
3 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 7 |
Corners |
7 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| N/A |
Passing Success |
N/A |
| N/A |
Tackles |
N/A |
| N/A |
Tackles Success |
N/A |
| 52.3 |
Possession |
47.7 |
| N/A |
Territorial Advantage |
N/A |
|
