I sometimes wonder about the average IQ of the English Soccer lout, knowing that there are cameras trained on every square foot of the stands with Facial recognition software in use by the authorities, some moron is still prepared to throw a coin and a beer bottle at an opposition player.

Last night’s brilliant Carling Cup semi-final 2nd leg between the two giants from Manchester was halted for several minutes after somebody threw a coin or other hard object that hit City’s Craig Bellamy on the head and dropped him. As he dropped to the turf an empty beer bottle landed next to his prone figure. Why the fans around the morons who threw these objects didn’t pounce on them and throw them out is indicative of the complicity of United supporters in this type of behaviour. Those louts will be found and they will be banned for life from Old Trafford.

In actual fact, United didn’t have to resort to such tactics to beat their rivals from Eastlands. After van der Sar had kept City at bay for the first 45 minutes and Given had blocked United’s attempts on goal, it was Paul Scholes in typical Scholes fashion, who blasted in the opening goal in the 52nd minute. The ball came back to him on the edge of the area and he made no mistake.

Michael Carrick was on hand after another goal mouth melee to strike a blow for United in the 72nd minute, the goal that the Red Devils needed to take them to Wembley, but former United striker Carlos Tevez had other ideas and his great run into the United half saw him spoil the party with a great goal which would have taken the match into Extra Time.

In typical United fashion they saved the day with a brilliant Rooney header in referee’s optional time to make the score on the night 3-1 and 4-3 on aggregate. United will face Aston Villa in the final at Wembley on the 28th of February.

Chelsea reclaimed top spot in the Premiership with a 3-0 win over Birmingham City and put paid to their record unbeaten run. Malouda and Lampard – a brace – secured the 3 points for the Blues.

Arsenal dropped another 2 points in their title chase when they were held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa at Villa Park last night. Villa were saved by the woodwork on two occasions and were lucky to get away with a point.

Blackburn Rovers continued their winning streak with a 2-1 win over hapless Wigan Athletics at Ewood Park, to lift themselves to 11th on the log.
Pedersen put them ahead after 20 minutes but a 2nd half equaliser in the 57th minute by Gary Caldwell put a damper on the Rovers’ hopes of another home win.
Nikola Kalinic secured the victory for the Rovers in the 76th minute.

Sunderland continued their downward spiral at Goodison Park when they were beaten 2-0 by the Toffees. Goals by Tim Cahill and American Landon Donovan sank the Black Cats, who are now 13th while Everton are in 9th place.