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.
By Chris Wright
With Palace going into the game with a 1-0 aggregate lead courtesy of centre-back Anthony
Gardner, Cardiff levelled the score after just 7 minutes through Palace centre-back Anthony Gardner
who somehow got his head down lower than his own feet to power a header past Julian Speroni and in
off his own post.
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.
Chivas USA is the latest MLS club to join the trend of signing Colombian central defenders.
Following in the recent footsteps of the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas, the Goats announced the
signing of veteran Colombian centerback John Alexander Valencia on Tuesday, adding the 30-year-old,
6-foot-4 defender to the club.
