22 METROSPORT Friday, December 4, 2009 D CARLOS TEVEZ insists the Manchester derby in the Carling Cup will be a Clasico. The name is usually given to La Liga clashes between Barcelona and Real Madrid but Manchester City forward Tevez admits he is already excited by a new year meeting with his former club Manchester United. The Argentina international said: It is a Clasico. The Manchester City fans want us to win and the important thing is we will be ready for them. It is a special game for me, of course. Tevez, 25, scored in Citys 3-0 win over Arsenal on Wednesday and added: It was good to get the goal as it gave me some confidence. It was important for me and the club. Tevez tips semi-final to be a cup classic Fergie faces a real rookie headache, says Hughes Excited: Tevez MARK HUGHES believes Sir Alex Ferguson faces a selection dilemma for the all-Manchester Carling Cup semi-final between City and United. The arch-rival clubs both reached the last four this week after United saw off Tottenham while City eased past Arsenal at Eastlands. Ferguson has preferred to blood his youngsters in the competition, with that policy paying off last term as they went all the way to lift the trophy. But despite Ferguson indicating he would play the rookies regardless of his semi-final opponents, City boss Hughes is not so sure, citing his time at Blackburn, when United put outanearfull-strength team in the 2006 semis. Ferguson played the likes of Ryan Giggs, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha, Rio Ferdinand andWayne Rooney in both legs of that tie. And Hughes said: Sir Alex never used to play weakened sides in the competition. I seem to recall during my time at Blackburn they were a pretty strong side in the semi-final. We will have to wait and see. That is his decision. The two-legged tie in the new year is certain to create great interest, especially after Uniteds dramatic 4-3 Premier League win earlier this season, followed by Fergu- sons dismissal of City afterwards as noisy neighbours. City have reached their first major semi-final since 1981, and Hughes insisted: We will enjoy it. Over two games we would back ourselves against anybody. We want to get to a Wembley final. This club has not had many experi- ences of that in recent times. Tough call: Ferguson 33 Years since City last won a major trophy the League Cup in 1976 soccer europa league By kEvin aiTkEn To shake or not to shake? Wenger Wenger is criticised over snub to Hughes ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has come under fire for refusing to shake hands with Manchester City counterpart Mark Hughes after their Carling Cup quarter-final. Wenger watched his young side beaten 3-0 at Eastlands on Wednesday and stormed straight down the tunnel at the final whistle. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy feels that, if he and Roy Keane could shake hands when Wolves met Sunderland two years ago after their various spats with the Republic of Ireland, then anyone should be capable of dealing out the same courtesy. McCarthy said: I think you should shake hands after every game. I just think it is the done thing. No-one has upset me enough on the touchline to make me not want to shake hands with them. Two years ago, myself and Roy Keane shook hands. People can remember all the things that had gone on between us. We still shook hands before and after the game. If myself and Roy could do it, surely the others can, cant they? Stoke boss Tony Pulis, whose side face the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow, said: Arsene Wenger has made a decision not to shake Mark Hughes hand, whether that is right or wrong youd have to ask him. But personally, whether I like or dislike someone, you have a responsibility to show the right spirit of the game. You should shake hands, you dont have to go for a drink afterwards. Bolton manager Gary Megson agreed and added: In my view you can do whatever you want, say whatever you like during the game but after the game, you should shake hands, even if you dont particularly mean it. I dont think its particularly good on Arsenes part and I think he has done it before. resulTs europa league group e Fulham....................1 CSka Sofia...........0 Gera 14 Att 23,604 Roma ......................2 Basle......................1 Totti 32 pen Huggel 18 Vucinic 59 P W D L F a Pts Roma 5 3 1 1 7 5 10 Basle 5 3 0 2 8 4 9 Fulham 5 2 2 1 5 4 8 CSKA Sofia 5 0 1 4 2 9 1 Carvalho: Weve become even better Thinking big: Ricardo Carvalho RICARdO CARvALHO claims the current Chelsea side is stronger than the one which won the Premier League under Jose Mourinho five years ago. Mourinho guided the Blues to their first league win in 50 years in 2005 with a side that lost just once in 38 games and conceded only 15 goals. Carlo Ancelottis current side have already lost twice this term but have been installed as title favourites having opened up a five-point lead, conceding eight goals in their first 14 games. And Portugal defender Carvalho, who was signed by Mourinho in 2004, said: In this moment we are an improvement even from that first year here under Mourinho. Now I think we have more quality in the squad maybe. Or at least different players, playing in a different system and style. And ahead of tomorrow evenings trip to Manchester City, 31-year-old Carvalho added: Things are good for everyone. We are playing well and not conceding goals. Robbo: Reds dont faze us now PAUL ROBINSON insists Blackburn have no fear about facing Liverpool after dumping Chelsea out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday. Robinsons saves from Michael Ballack and Gael Kakuta in the penalty shoot-out handed Rovers a 4-3 win after the match had ended 3-3. The England goalkeepers side now advance to the semi- finals but turn their attention back to the Premier League tomorrow and the visit of Rafael Benitezs Reds. Robinson said: Bring on Liverpool. The Cup run is a huge boost for our confidence. Okay, that wasnt Chelseas first team but it was still a pretty decent side. Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is set to return to the dugout at Ewood Park after undergoing heart surgery. Fulham still on course Different Gera: The Fulham midfielder enjoys his early strike Picture: AP Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Smalling, Hangeland (Hughes 46), Kelly, Riise, Baird, Murphy (Duff 78), Gera, Davies (Dempsey 70), Zamora. CSka Sofia: Chavdarov, Minev, Vidanov, Ivanov (Yanev 63), Kostadin Stoyanov, Todorov (Rui Miguel 72), Yanchev, Popov, Morozs , Timonov (Michel 54), Delev. Ref: Pavel Balaj (Romania). fulham............................. 1 cska sofia.................... 0 FULHAM kept alive their hopes of qualification for the knockout stages with a narrow victory over CSKA Sofia at Craven Cottage last night. Zoltan Geras early goal proved enough for Roy Hodgsons side, who need to win in Basle in their final game in 12 days time to ensure their passage through Group E. However, the Cottagers should have won by a far greater margin but Danny Murphy blazed a first-half penalty over and Bobby Zamora was guilty of some poor finishing. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html