Manchester City 3-0 Arsenal match report: The Daily Mirror verdict

What a difference a win makes. And what a semi-final showdown now in prospect for the city of Manchester.

Booed off at the weekend after a seventh straight Premier League draw, City were saluted by their loyal fans last night as they took a step closer to a first trophy in 34 years.

A generation has passed since City last won a trophy in 1976, and if they are to end that long overdue wait this season, they must overcome their fierce local rivals.

City host Sir Alex Ferguson's side at Eastlands in the first leg of the semi-final on January 6, before the return tie at Old Trafford a fortnight later.

Given the drama the last time the two sides met back in September, when Michael Owen's 97th-minute goal gave United a 4-3 win, the rematch promises to be equally explosive.

No matter that Fergie will stick to his policy of playing his youngsters for the tie, while Hughes will play his strongest-possible side at his disposal.

Both will be desperate to emerge triumphant, City to put some fresh silverware in the trophy room, United to prolong their neighbours' agonising long wait.

United fans take particular delight in taunting City over their lack of success, a permament banner at the Stretford End ticking off the years since they last won a trophy.

That alone is motivation enough for City's players to overcome United, and if they play with the same flair and conviction as they did against Arsenal, they will have every chance.

Fate may also be playing a hand in City's pursuit of League Cup glory, for this season's final on February 28 comes exactly 34 years to the day since they last won it.

There may have been simmering discontent from City fans after so many draws, but all that was swept away with their clinical demolition of Arsenal's precociously-talented youngsters.

There was a palpable sense of expectation around the stadium, with flags placed on seats to create a fervent atmospehere.

The stadium lights were even dimmed prior to kick-off, to reveal a hologram of a blue moon, in an unashamed nod to Europe's top clubs on the continent.

Yet it all served to show how desperate City were to stay on course for the trophy they believe could be the springboard to challenge for the bigger prizes in the years ahead.

Despite some slick passing and movement from Arsenal, Wenger's youngsters were unable to match the intensity and drive of City, who simply wanted it more.

Carlos Tevez, a Carling Cup winner with United last season, put City ahead with a goal five minutes into the second-half that owed everything to his ceaseless work-rate.

Seizing on Tomas Rosicky's uncertainty, Tevez dispossessed the Arsenal midfielder and was set free by Craig Bellamy.

There seemed little threat when Tevez scampered across the edge of the area, but after leaving two Arsenal players in his wake, his angled shot soared into the top corner.

Shaun Wright-Phillips made sure of the win with a majestic 69th-minute strike, embarking on a surging run down before unleashing an arrow-like shot into the far corner.

Substitute Vladimir Weiss made it 3-0 a minute before the end, steering the ball in via the underside of the bar from Bellamy's first-time cross.

Wenger compounded his refusal to shake Hughes by the hand at the final whistle by dismissing the merits of winning the Carling Cup.

Arsenal may not consider it an important trophy, but try telling that to City's expectant fans, who are on the cusp of success after years of under-achievement.

Arsene Wenger doesn't know how to behave when he loses, fumes Mark Hughes after Carling Cup bust-up

Why Arsene Wenger was wrong to play such a weakened team against Manchester City in the Carling Cup

Man City v Arsenal: more pictures and stats