An early goal from the spot and a late goal via a deflection was enough to cancel Gabby Agbonlahor’s first half leveller and send us out of the Carling Cup, triggering disgraceful scenes as City fans invaded the pitch to taunt Villa fans locked in the away section.

The fact we dominated the game is neither here nor there, derby games are a different kettle of fish and it all comes down to failing to capitalise on opportunities and inexplicably slack defending when pressure is applied. Dunne’s challenge to gift the penalty was clumsy and completely unnecessary and no one covered themselves in glory for Zigic’s winner with six minutes plus stoppages left to play.

I can’t for the life of me fathom how one of the best defences in the country last season turned into the Keystone Cops this year. But there you go, it is what it is.

Aside from conceding the penalty early on we looked good, Clark and Hogg as the pair of defensive midfielders, Downing on the left, Ash behind Gabby and Bannan on the right. I’m sure the there will be criticism for playing Bannan on the right wing, and he did struggle to get involved during the first half, but imposed himself during the second half with some impressive link up play with Ashley Young and he had twice as many cracks at goal as Downing and Young combined.

Unfortunately, Bannan was withdrawn with 18 minutes left on the clock, Stephen Ireland his replacement, I presume because of a knock of some kind, there was no other reason to take off one of best players at the time. Ireland came so close to finally breaking his duck, but Ben Foster pulled out a fantastic save to stop his low driven effort following Gabby’s brilliant break down the left flank.

There really isn’t much else to say. Zigic was terrible all night, but somehow scored with his only attempt of the game, Cameron Jerome was better, but Friedel was more than match to anything he managed on target. Villa, on the other hand, continue to be wasteful with so many opportunities to deliver the final ball it’s not even funny.

Speaking of not funny, I’m not going to write any more, I’m sure the decisions have been made and the palms already greased, but this is what the World Cup decision makers witnessed from Switzerland tonight…

…it is 2010, right?

I don’t want to play the blame game, sounds like sixes and half-dozens to me, but the Radio WM commentary below is worth listening to in relation to the source of the flares, at least when the commentator first spotted them (~25 seconds in).

In any case, there will be an investigation into the trouble by the FA and you can bet both clubs’ fans behaviour will be under close scrutiny.