Crouch sent off in Carling Cup Defeat

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch saw red as Chelsea won 2-0 to progress to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup thanks to second-half strikes from Frank Lampard and Andriy Shevchenko. Lampard's deflected 59th minute opener was followed, seconds later, by a moment of madness from Crouch who was red-carded for a disgraceful two-footed lunge on Mikel John Obi. The referee immediately dismissed the striker who unleashed a four-letter tirade at Chelsea fans before disappearing down the tunnel. Crouch will now miss Liverpool's home clash with Portsmouth and the visits to Derby and Manchester City over the festive period.

The Carling Cup has never been high on Rafa's list and he underlined that by putting out a side which did not contain Steven Gerrard and Spanish striker Fernando Torres.