Cardiff have made it through to the Carling Cup final, beating Crystal Palace on penalties in dramatic fashion.
The Welsh side went into the semi final second leg one goal down, but an Anthony Gardner own goal levelled things up. Neither side could find the winning goal in normal or extra time, so the game was decided on penalties.
Bluebirds goalkeeper Tom Heaton was the hero, saving both Jermaine Easter and Sean Scannell’s spot kicks, before Jonathan Parr blazed wide to send the hosts through.
Cardiff boss Malky MacKay was ecstatic after the victory, and spoke of his pride at reaching the final.
“I’m delighted for everyone at the football club. It’s a fantastic achievement for everyone and I thought the players were terrific tonight,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think the first goal settled the whole stadium down and it certainly settled the players down.
“I thought we started at a fantastic tempo and with real belief. Getting the goal meant we could sit and probe.
“We knew the way Crystal Palace were going to play, they wanted to hit us on the counter-attack with pace. We had to make sure that we manipulated the ball.
“I think the fact that there were so many chances in and around their goal meant that the team kept believing,” he concluded.
Cardiff will play either Manchester City or Liverpool in the final, with the second semi final being decided on Wednesday night.
By Gareth McKnight
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