January 24 2012

Jermaine Easter

Ten-man Crystal Palace crashed out of the Carling Cup semi-final after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Cardiff.

The Welsh club went ahead after just seven minutes to level the second leg tie at 1-1 when Anthony Gardner headed Don Cowie's cross into his own net.

Palace then had a strong claim for a penalty turned down by referee Howard Webb after Chris Martin had his shirt tugged in the penalty area.

Cardiff dominated for most of the game but could not find a way past some excellent Palace defending even when captain Patrick McCarthy was sent off for a second yellow card on 78 minutes.

The hosts hit the woodwork three times through Kenny Miller in the 90 minutes, then Filip Kiss and Aron Gunnarsson in extra-time.

Palace survived the Cardiff onslaught for a penalty shoot-out but were woeful with their spot-kicks.

Miller missed the first for Cardiff, but Bluebirds keeper Tom Heaton was the penalty shoot-out hero saving from Cardiff-born Jermaine Easter and Sean Scannell before Jonathan Parr skied his effort off target as the Bluebirds reached the final.

Only Burnley (5) have made it to more League Cup semi-finals than Crystal Palace (4) but never made the final.

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