Liverpool in Carling Cup final

Watford:

A goal from Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool a 1-0 win away to Watford on Tuesday and a place in England's Carling Cup final by a 2-0 aggregate scoreline. Gerrard was also the scorer of the only goal in the first leg of this two-legged semi-final. Liverpool will now meet Chelsea or Manchester United in the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on February 27.

Tough challenge Liverpool was hoping to avoid a repeat of the humiliating defeat they suffered at the hands of another Championship side, Burnley, in the FA Cup last week. They were 1-0 up after the first leg at their Anfield ground, but Watford had previously emphatically disposed of Portsmouth and Southampton in this competition this season. Rafael Benitez's team were expecting a tough challenge if they were to claim a place in the final against either Chelsea of Manchester United. And so it proved as the game began as a fiercely-contested midfield battle with little goalmouth action at either end. Clear chance The first clear-cut chance fell to Liverpool and their new Spanish striker, Fernando Morientes, after 25 minutes. It came as Steven Gerrard fed Morientes on the edge of the Watford penalty area. The former Real Madrid striker got plenty on his shot, but crucially so did a defender and the ball spun just wide of Watford goalkeeper Paul Jones' right-hand post. The second half followed the pattern of the first and again it took some 25 minutes for a clear chance to materialise. Well-worked goal This time Liverpool's Igor Biscan shooting just wide with again maybe the hint of a deflection. It was left to Liverpool captain Gerrard to book his side's place in the final with a well-worked goal after 77 minutes. The England midfielder won the ball in the air, before collecting a quick pass and holding off the Watford defence to slot past Paul Jones' right hand from the edge of the penalty area. Heidar Helguson headed over from a corner with six minutes left but it was not to be for Watford as the travelling Liverpool fans celebrated another appearance in the final of the League Cup, after a 1-0 victory on the night and 2-0 on aggregate. (AP)