Carlos Tevez stole the show as Manchester City claimed a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.
Ryan Giggs bundled the Red Devils in front during a keenly-fought derby encounter, but Roberto Mancini's side hit back to edge a step closer to Wembley.
Eastland was rocking prior to kick-off, but it did not take United long to dampen the raucous atmosphere.
The visitors settled much the quicker and went in front after only 17 minutes when Antonio Valencia delivered from the right and Giggs, after Wayne Rooney had prodded the ball off Shay Given's chest, tapped into an empty net.
The Red Devils looked in full control of proceedings for much of the first half, but conceded a penalty three minutes before the interval when Rafael tugged on Craig Bellamy's shirt.
The infringement appeared to occur outside the box, but Bellamy tumbled inside the area and Tevez made no mistake from the spot as he blasted high into the net to haul the tie level.
The Argentina international was desperate to leave a lasting impression against his former employers, and he made sure he would be turning the game on its head after the break.
United failed to deal with a Bellamy corner on 65 minutes and once Vincent Kompany hooked the ball back into the box, Tevez was on hand to nod home from close range and send the blue half of Manchester into dreamland.
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