Manchester City set up a mouthwatering FA Cup semi- final against neighbours and bitter rivals Manchester United after they inched their way to a 1-0 win over Reading 1-0 on Sunday.
Micah Richards headed the only goal of the game in the second half to send big-spending City through to the last four for the first time since 1981.
"It was a very difficult game," a delighted Richards said after his header from David Silva 16 minutes from time won the match for City.
"As the game went on it got harder. Reading did well, they defended well. Fortunately the header went in.
"It was a lot harder with having the (Europa League) game last week (in Kiev). "We were a bit tired and leggy but we got through, and that was the important thing. All the boys are thrilled."
City dominated possession throughout the match against Reading, but the Championship side defended stoutly, with Jay Tabb clearing a Shane Long effort off the line.
Carlos Tevez almost put City ahead with a back-heel, but it took a David Silva corner to produce the goal, with Richards outjumping the Reading defence to score the winner.
City's Vincent Kompany summed up the mood in the City camp when he looked forward to the clash with United, which will be played at Wembley, together with the second semi-final between Bolton and Stoke City.
"I will let you guess how much the next opponent will mean to us," he said. "There's no easy way to the final, but we're looking forward to it."
City manager Roberto Mancini said his side would have nothing to fear from a showdown with United.
"We have played two games against Manchester United (this season) and played very well," he said. "I think we have a good chance to go in the final, though, for sure, the semi-final will be very hard."
Earlier, Stoke booked their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 39 years thanks to a second-half winner from Danny Higginbotham.
Robert Huth put Stoke ahead early on with a powerful header and, though Frederic Piquionne equalized, Higginbotham slammed in a low free kick to send Stoke through.
Stoke were even able to miss a penalty - when the scores were 1-1 - as Robert Green saved well from Matthew Etherington, but Higginbotham spared their blushes with the winning goal 18 minutes into the second half.
"West Ham are a great team but I think we thoroughly deserved it," Higginbotham said. "We have got great belief - and now a very tough tie [against Bolton]."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis said his side deserved the win and that they would give their all against Bolton.
"For two-and-a-half years at this club, since we were promoted, we have been written off," he said.
"We have got to three quarter-finals of cup competitions and now we have a semi-final. We've finished 12th and 11th in the Premier League and the players and chairman deserve a hell of a lot of credit."
"We will treat Bolton with total respect. If you look at Bolton and their history, they have been a Premier League side a lot longer than us and have established Premier League players.
"We will respect them and we know it will be a tough game for us."
Micah Richards headed the only goal of the game in the second half to send big-spending City through to the last four for the first time since 1981.
"It was a very difficult game," a delighted Richards said after his header from David Silva 16 minutes from time won the match for City.
"As the game went on it got harder. Reading did well, they defended well. Fortunately the header went in.
"It was a lot harder with having the (Europa League) game last week (in Kiev). "We were a bit tired and leggy but we got through, and that was the important thing. All the boys are thrilled."
City dominated possession throughout the match against Reading, but the Championship side defended stoutly, with Jay Tabb clearing a Shane Long effort off the line.
Carlos Tevez almost put City ahead with a back-heel, but it took a David Silva corner to produce the goal, with Richards outjumping the Reading defence to score the winner.
City's Vincent Kompany summed up the mood in the City camp when he looked forward to the clash with United, which will be played at Wembley, together with the second semi-final between Bolton and Stoke City.
"I will let you guess how much the next opponent will mean to us," he said. "There's no easy way to the final, but we're looking forward to it."
City manager Roberto Mancini said his side would have nothing to fear from a showdown with United.
"We have played two games against Manchester United (this season) and played very well," he said. "I think we have a good chance to go in the final, though, for sure, the semi-final will be very hard."
Earlier, Stoke booked their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 39 years thanks to a second-half winner from Danny Higginbotham.
Robert Huth put Stoke ahead early on with a powerful header and, though Frederic Piquionne equalized, Higginbotham slammed in a low free kick to send Stoke through.
Stoke were even able to miss a penalty - when the scores were 1-1 - as Robert Green saved well from Matthew Etherington, but Higginbotham spared their blushes with the winning goal 18 minutes into the second half.
"West Ham are a great team but I think we thoroughly deserved it," Higginbotham said. "We have got great belief - and now a very tough tie [against Bolton]."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis said his side deserved the win and that they would give their all against Bolton.
"For two-and-a-half years at this club, since we were promoted, we have been written off," he said.
"We have got to three quarter-finals of cup competitions and now we have a semi-final. We've finished 12th and 11th in the Premier League and the players and chairman deserve a hell of a lot of credit."
"We will treat Bolton with total respect. If you look at Bolton and their history, they have been a Premier League side a lot longer than us and have established Premier League players.
"We will respect them and we know it will be a tough game for us."
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