Sunderland have beaten Manchester United 2-1 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final tie at the Stadium of Light.

An own goal from Ryan Giggs and Fabio Borini's second half penalty were enough for the Black Cats to put one foot into the final, despite Nemanja Vidic's equalising header.

In a first half devoid of any real goalmouth activity, it was the home side who perhaps shaded things with Marcos Alonso causing problems with a succession of crosses from the left side.

Phil Bardsley had an effort saved by David de Gea after the full-back had spun on the edge of the box towards the end of the half.

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Earlier in the game, Borini fizzed a shot wide after wriggling free of Vidic, before Giggs headed onto the top of the crossbar for United.

Adnan Januzaj lost Lee Cattermole with some terrific play before his dangerous low cross was cut out by former Red Devils defender Wes Brown.

Vidic got his side back into the tie with a second-half header from a corner seven minutes after the restart.

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However, the Black Cats were given the chance to regain the lead when Tom Cleverley clumsily brought down Adam Johnson inside the box for a penalty on 64 minutes.

Borini took the spot kick and blazed it high into the roof of the net to give his side the crucial lead.

United manager David Moyes sent Javier Hernandez on in an attempt to reduce the game, but Sunderland held on to take a slender advantage to Old Trafford.