Manchester City were beaten on the night but held on for a 3-2 aggregate win over rivals Manchester United in their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Nemanja Matic scored the only goal of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium but was later sent off as City, the better team throughout the tie, prevailed overall.
That holders City did not add to the 3-1 lead they established in the first leg at Old Trafford was remarkable as they spurned numerous gilt-edged chances.
But David De Gea produced several outstanding saves to keep United in the tie and Matic gave them hope with a sweet strike 10 minutes before the break.
It was ultimately not enough but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side did restore some pride after their humbling in the first leg.
Matic’s first goal in more than a year offered United the tantalising possibility of turning round the tie after City had made the early running and twice forced saves out of goalkeeper David de Gea.
Raheem Sterling had the ball in the net six minutes after United went ahead but was offside and 13 minutes into second half he conjured up a horror miss as he tried to round De Gea and stroke the ball into the net.
The goalkeeper did enough to force him a touch wide, allowing time for defenders to drop behind and when Sterling found space to strike, he was off balance and hit the ball over the crossbar.
There was another let-off for United when Harry Maguire was caught in possession, but City again dithered and allowed the defence to block the chance.
With six minutes to play, Sergio Aguero netted after a clever through ball from Joao Cancelo, but was marginally offside.
United had a rare opportunity to get the second goal with an 88th-minute free kick after Maguire was fouled just outside the penalty area, but Fred struck his shot against the wall.
