Manchester United were upset 1-0 in the League Cup semi-finals by Derby yesterday, with a sublime strike by Kris Commons, ending a 14-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

In their first major cup semi-final since 1976, the League Champion-ship strugglers dominated the English, European and world champions, who were fortunate not to be going into the second leg at Old Trafford in two weeks needing to recover a greater deficit.

"It was a fantastic result for us, considering the performance," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We could have lost four goals."

Commons provided the decisive touch in the 30th minute when he collected a pass from Mile Sterjovski and, from 25 yards, lashed it past Tomasz Kuszczak.