Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard helped Liverpool FC take a significant step towards a first appearance at Wembley since 1996 – and then accused Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini of hypocrisy.

Gerrard netted from the spot in the 13th minute to earn Liverpool FC a 1-0 win in their Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Eastlands last night.

But there was controversy during injury time when Mancini called from the touchline for Glen Johnson to be red-carded after a strong challenge on Joleon Lescott.

Mancini believes the tackle was worse than the one which saw Vincent Kompany dismissed for a foul on Nani in City’s FA Cup defeat to neighbours United on Sunday.

And Gerrard, who exchanged words with the Italian in the tunnel after the final whistle, said: “I’m surprised at Mancini. He had a go at Wayne Rooney trying to get one of his players sent off at the weekend, and now he is trying to get one of our players into trouble – I don’t think that’s right.”

Mancini responded: “Steven Gerrard can say what he wants. It’s not important. Gerrard came to me and said ‘you said this’. But I said what I think. It’s not important what anyone else says.

“The Johnson tackle against Lescott was worse than the one Vinny did against United. It was worse. Everyone could see that.”

Asked about Johnson’s challenge, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said: “I never saw it.”

Gerrard, making his first start in the Carling Cup since October 2007, kept his nerve to net beyond City goalkeeper Joe Hart after Daniel Agger had been upended by Stefan Savic.

While it was deserved reward for a dominant first-half display, Liverpool were pressed back during the second half but held on to become the first team in 35 games to stop City from scoring at Eastlands and take a slender advantage into the second leg on Wednesday week.

“We wanted to come here and keep a clean sheet and get a goal,” added Gerrard. “But there is no way this tie is over. This is just half-time.

“It is good to be back. I feel like a footballer again. It is games like this I have missed and games like this I have worked to get back so hard for.

“We defended well from back to front. We were playing one of the big powers in world football. There is no way this game is over yet and it is set up nicely for the game at Anfield.”

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing limped off complaining of a tight hamstring midway through the first half and will have the damage assessed this morning.

However, Dalglish believes the problem is “not too bad” and added: “I don’t think he’s pulled anything.”

Of the game, Dalglish said: “It was two different performances in each half. The first half we looked a lot more threatening but in the second half we battened down the hatches and tried our best to get through it.

“Not too many teams have come here and have had no goals against them.

“It was a fantastic effort from the players. In the second half it might not have been the prettiest performance but we didn’t fall short in terms of desire or ambition.

“Once we got in front we were determined not to lose.

“We have a slight advantage with the goal but there’s nobody jumping through hoops at our places.

“We will go and be as professional as we can in the second leg.”

A downbeat Mancini added: “The second leg will be difficult.

“But in 90 minutes anything can happen. Liverpool are the favourites now. They have won 1-0 away.”