Capital One Cup: Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United

Sunderland delighted the home fans with a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final game here at the Stadium of Light. It was their first win over United since 2000, and United's third loss in a row has put pressure firmly on manager David Moyes.

It was a fairly mundane first half. Both teams had trouble penetrating the opposite penalty areas, and Ryan Giggs came closest for United with a 25 yard screamer that ricocheted off the bar. Just as it looked like the teams would go into the break goalless, in the 46th minute Wes Brown whipped the ball across the face of the goal. Phil Bardsley and Giggs both slid in to try and get the ball, but it was turned into the back of the net by the United man, and the Black Cats went into the break positive at being one up.

Nemanja Vidic levelled the game for the visitors in the 52nd minute, rising above Brown and John O'Shea to head home a corner taken by Cleverley. However, just 12 minutes later, Cleverley brought down Sunderland substitute Adam Johnson in the area. The referee, Andre Marriner, appeared to wave play on, but was informed by his assistant that contact had been made and a penalty was awarded. Fabio Borini, on loan from Liverpool, maintained his composure and stepped up to give his side the lead. United couldn't find another goal, and Sunderland will go into the second leg at Old Trafford on 22 January with a goal advantage.