Titan's fight: Hughes v Wegner

Mark Hughes clashed with Arsene Wenger as Manchester City reached their first Cup semi-final since 1981.

City boss Hughes slammed Arsenal's chief for refusing to shake his hand at the final whistle. Hughes said: "I was disappointed, as I've huge respect for him. Maybe he needs to be a little bit more gracious.

"I think it is unnecessary. We all hurt when we get beaten. You don't need to do that. Nobody is more upset when we lose than me but I still shake someone's hand".

"At one point he questioned why I was on his side of the technical area. Maybe he was aggrieved with that. I would say he was aggrieved his team was beaten. I have been to the Emirates and lost 6-2 but I still offered my hand.There is a protocol and, maybe on this occasion, Arsene has not worked with that."

Wenger, also dismissive of the Carling Cup, said: "I am free to shake whose hand I want. I had no professional courtesy to shake his hand. It was not to do with anything about the game. I've nothing more to say on that".

"If we had won the Carling Cup, we would not parade it around saying 'We have won a trophy.  To play in the Champions League quarter-finals or an FA Cup semi-final is 10 times more different to winning the Carling Cup."

City's win was a massive relief for Hughes, after criticism for seven successive Premier League draws.

He added: "Against Arsenal, we showed what we are capable of. We have a big game against Chelsea on Saturday and, with this performance, have made a statement.

"It is this club's first semi-final for 28 years, so we are all delighted. We can all look forward to facing United and we hope to do well."

Wenger admitted: "City's quality offensively paid off. We could not cope with their intensity."