Cardiff defender Mark Hudson scored a spectacular goal in his side's victory over Derby County last night. The centre-back was in his own half some 68 yards from goal when he sent the ball sailing over the head of Rams keeper Frankie Fielding. Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay said: "It was a real good [.

Video: Carling Cup: Cardiff/Crystal Palace

Anthony Gardner's own goal gave Cardiff the best possible start as the Bluebirds drew level on aggregate after losing in the first leg to a goal, ironically, scored by the aforementioned Gardner. Cardiff had five very good looks at goal (three by Kenny Miller) but could not convert those chances.

Turn the Heaton szólj hozzá: CCCPhighlite www.1Goals.com Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton booked his side's place in the Carling Cup Final with two penalty shootout saves against Crystal Palace. The Bluebirds progress to Wembley despite Eagles defender Anthony Gardner being the only player to find the net during the two-legged tie.

Cardiff City keeper Tom Heaton was the hero for the Bluebirds as they edged out Crystal Palace in an absorbing cup clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Heaton saved two penalties in the shoot-out to send Cardiff to the Carling Cup Final at the expense of Dougie Freedman's spirited Palace side.

After Liverpool's demolition of Brighton in the FA Cup at Anfield on Sunday, all eyes are now firmly fixed on Wembley Stadium and the Carling Cup Final against Cardiff City next weekend.
Liverpool Tickets available for all Premiership games this season at Liverpool Tickets
Both teams will feel they have a realistic chance of claiming the Trophy having done it the hard way in the qualifying rounds.

Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush believes the pressure of being favourites could undermine his old side's efforts of beating Cardiff in the Carling Cup final.
The Reds make their first trip to Wembley since 1996 on Sunday bidding to win their first major trophy since the FA Cup in 2005.
Boss Kenny Dalglish is desperate to win a first trophy since returning to the club last January and openly admits he had targeted the league cup at the start of the season.

Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush believes the pressure of being favourites could undermine his old side's efforts of beating Cardiff in the Carling Cup final.
The Reds make their first trip to Wembley since 1996 on Sunday bidding to win their first major trophy since the FA Cup in 2005.
Boss Kenny Dalglish is desperate to win a first trophy since returning to the club last January and openly admits he had targeted the league cup at the start of the season.

Last season's Carling Cup final was seen as a formality for Arsenal, who were pitted against a spirited yet pedestrian Birmingham City outfit. However, the men from the Midlands came away with a 2-1 win and, most importantly, the trophy, despite the Gunners' relentless pressure.
The news that goalkeeper Tom Heaton, defender Mark Hudson and midfielder Stephen McPhail are winning their respective battles against injury suggests that Cardiff may be significantly strengthened come Sunday.

szólj hozzá: Liverpool Cardiff GOALS & PENS

Full marks to Cardiff. Battered, bruised, and buckling at the knees after the Dirk Kuyt goal in extra time with what looked like the winner for Liverpool, they willed themselves back into the game earning three corners in the last few minutes and pulled back from the brink through Ben Turner's goal following a goalmouth melee.

Liverpool defeated Cardiff City 3-2 on penalties, after a 2-2 post-extra time score, to lift their eighth Carling Cup title and end a six-year trophy drought in the process.

Joe Mason had given a surprise lead to a brave Cardiff side in the 19th minute, applying severe pressure on the Reds to respond.

It was an amazing scene: just after watching his cousin robbed by one of the great saves in Carling Cup history, Cardiff City midfielder Anthony Gerrard stepped up in a crucial situation to extend the Bluebirds' hopes of silverware. It has to be one of the most nerve-racking appointments in sports, akin to the 4 foot putt to force a playoff in a major golf tournament.

The Reds Collected their first piece for silverware in six years after a nerve wracking penalty shootout win over the Bluebirds on Sunday.Cardiff took the early lead when Joe Mason found the net beating Pepe Reina with a low shot, but the Reds managed to equalize when Martin Skrtel slotted home near the hour mark.

By Alan Duffy

Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham United Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg 3rd May 2012

He may have inexplicably missed out on the Barcelona job in recent weeks, but Big Sam is closing in a return to the Premier League with West Ham after his side comfortably beat Cardiff City on their own turf on Thursday evening.

Another season ends for Cardiff City in what seems to be the norm, faltering in the play-offs. However, when the change of manager and the summer exodus are taken into account, praise for Malky Mackay's achievements in his first season cannot be understated. As with most clubs, Cardiff City has an active and vocal fan base online, where one can find insight into the day-to-day running of the club, rumour and conjecture.