crystal palace were cardiff's opponents in the semi-final which was played over two-legs. the first leg was played at palace's home ground selhurst park. cardiff started the match the better of the two sides but were unable to convert their chances. palace took the lead in the 43rd minute when anthony gardner headed in darren ambrose's cross. neither side scored again and the match ended 1–0. the second leg at the cardiff city stadium started well for cardiff when they went ahead in the seventh minute after an own-goal from palace defender gardner, which levelled the aggregate score at 1–1. palace were reduced to ten men in the second half when paddy mccarthy was sent-off. despite their numerical advantage cardiff were unable to a second goal during the 90 minutes and extra-time and the tie went to a penalty shoot-out. cardiff goalkeeper tom heaton saved two penalties as cardiff won the shoot-out 3–1 to progress to their first league cup final.