Man City League Cup winners again but Chelsea's sore loser Kepa steals the headlines

Alam Khan - Reporter 00:39 25/02/2019
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  • Manchester City clinched the first trophy of the season as they beat Chelsea on penalties in a dramatic League Cup final.

    Raheem Sterling fired home the crucial spot-kick to settle a tense encounter after Jorginho, David Luiz and Leroy Sane had missed.

    With the game goalless after 90 minutes, extra time was played for the first time since the 2016 final.

    That time City won on penalties too thanks to Willy Caballero. This time the Argentine, now Chelsea’s backup keeper, had to stay on the bench when £75 million signing Kepa amazingly refused to come off in the last minute of extra time.

    Boss Maurizio Sarri was furious by that and headed towards the tunnel before returning pitch side as the game ended.

    Kepa did deny Sane, but City keeper Ederson saved from Jorginho and Luiz.

    Just two weeks after being thrashed 6-0 in their Premier League meeting at the Etihad, the Blues provided much more resistance.

    Sergio Aguero had a goal ruled out for offside while N’Golo Kante steered a shot over the bar after fabulous work from Eden Hazard.

    In injury time, Willian’s whipped free kick from the left was tipped over by Ederson, while Cesar Azpilicueta made two vital blocks in extra time.

    Winners and a sore loser

    This is Pep Guardiola’s 11th success from 12 cup finals.

    With the defence of their trophy, the Manchester City boss became the fourth manager to win consecutive League Cups after Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Sir Alex Ferguson.

    They are legendary figures in English football, world football, and Guardiola is on course to surpass all of them, especially if his side fulfil their quadruple dream this season.

    This was the first test, a tough one, but they passed it and it will give them a lift for what will follow.

    Maurizio Sarri may have earned plaudits for his work at Napoli but he is not in the same class as his City counterpart. Nor does he have any after his petulant antics following defeat.

    Heading straight down the tunnel without congratulating City, nor commiserating with his team, it was a Sarri sight.

    Yes he might have been upset by the loss, and especially keeper Kepa refusing to be substituted before the penalty shootout, but it spoiled an otherwise valiant effort from his Chelsea side.

    Two weeks when they were smashed 6-0, they looked pitiful. Here, they were aggressive and won the personal duels they had lost at the Etihad. None more so than in defence where Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger were particularly determined.

    If his players wanted him out, they did not show it.

    Instead, they displayed fight and desire. Kepa was wrong to disobey his manager, but maybe he wanted to stay on and help his team win. Chelsea paid a record £75 million for him and he said he wasn’t hurt, so he had every right to ask why he was being taken off?

    Already under pressure, Sarri may well go after this. He looked to have had enough. For Guardiola, he just can’t get enough.

    False nine, a false look

    The absence of striker Gonzalo Higuain from the starting line up and Eden Hazard in a frontline role was met with much dismay, anger and frustration from Chelsea supporters. And they had every right to be aggrieved.

    It was an approach that summed up just where Chelsea are at the moment under the Italian, continuing to curtail the qualities of his best players, be it N’Golo Kante or Hazard when it clearly looks a wrong decision.

    It was a minute before half-time when the Belgian first produced anything of note. Driving down the channel, using his quick feet and quick mind to fashion an opening, but, with little support, he was crowded out.

    Hazard is at his best when running at defences, drifting, finding space, teasing, tricking and tormenting. Here he was often isolated, chasing lost causes. It was a waste of his energy and talent.

    Two opportunities in the second half emphasised this point, breaking clear, and creating one great chance for Kante in the manner for which he is most feared. Hazard will work for the team, fulfil any role, but Sarri has to work to his strengths to get the best out of him.

    Replacing the irreplaceable

    Every season there is a player underrated, but appreciated by his team-mates and peers. In this campaign Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum springs to mind and Fernandinho in the colours of Manchester City. As he approaches his 34th birthday, the amount of effort and energy the Brazilian midfielder exudes is nothing short of remarkable.

    He is the engine room, a key component in this Guardiola side just as Sergio Busquets was during the glory years at Barcelona. While he may not be lauded like the midfield greats of old, Roy Keane at Manchester United and Patrick Vieira at Arsenal come to mind, Fernandinho provides the same quality, combative edge, leadership and adaptability, breaking up opposition attacks and prompting his own side’s forays further upfield.

    Arguably, and with Kante’s role somewhat diminished at Chelsea, he is up with the world’s best defensive midfielders and a contender for this season’s English Player of the Year awards. So the sight of him limping off, clutching his groin, does not augur well for City as they now pursue other, more desirable, trophy targets. There is no one in this City team that can do what he does. He is quite simply irreplaceable.

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