Manchester City's saviour as his winning spot-kick helped Pep Guardiola's side narrowly beat Chelsea 4-3 on penalties in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
After what was a cagey game that finished goalless after normal time and then extra-time, Pep Guar

The win, however narrow, keeps City on for the quadruple as under-fire Maurizio Sarri saw his chance of securing the first trophy of his managerial career disappear in agonising fashion.
Chelsea's Italian coach Maurizio Sarri knew he was under intense pressure heading into the EFL Cup final on Sunday because of Chelsea's inconsistent run of results since the turn of the year.

After dropping out of the top four following a 6-0 loss against City at the Etihad Stadium exactly two weeks earlier, and then being dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester United, the Blues' Europa League round of 32 second-leg tie against Malmo provided Chelsea with the perfect chance to recoup some confidence.
That they did with a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge and, while the hosts' first half performance was lacking in inspiration, Chelsea certainly weren't slow out of the blocks against City at Wembley three days later.

In fact, Sarri's men showed focus and determination - two things the Italian had previously criticised his team for not demonstrating against the top sides.
While neither controlling possession nor creating any shots on target in an altered system featuring Eden Hazard as a 'false No.9', Chelsea defended well and made life frustrating for City. Indeed, the only shot City had in the first half was Sergio Aguero's effort that hurtled over the bar in the 22nd minute.

Down the other end of the pitch, and Hazard looked isolated for most of the first half. But the Belgian showed his utter class just before the break when he latched onto Willian's pass before twisting and turning his way past several City players but seeing his eventual shot blocked.

Then there was a nervy moment for City when Nicolas Otamendi nearly headed Willian's free-kick into the back of his own net just before the break. But the first half ended goalless as the second began with Guardiola bringing on Vincent Kompany for the injured Aymeric Laporte.
The dynamics of the game remained the same after the break, however, with Chelsea's struggles to create any shots on target again clear to see when Hazard was released and surged into the area only for Otamendi to dispossess him all too easily.

Aguero, meanwhile, thought he had opened the scoring - in front of the City end - but was denied by the offside flag, with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) backing the original decision.
But the longer the score stayed 0-0, the more mistakes crept into City's game and, indeed, the more spaces opened up for the likes of Hazard and Willian to operate in.
A perfect example came in the 66th minute when Willian's superb long-ball found the Belgian, who cut the ball back for N'Golo Kante only for the midfielder to fire over the bar.
followed it up with a curling shot that flew just wide.
As Guardiola brought on Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane, Sarri showed his willingness to use youth - one criticism of his young tenure at Stamford Bridge - by sending on Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Yet the pair couldn't inspire a win in normal time as the game went to extra-time - during which the returning Kepa Arrizabalaga mad two crucial saves to keep Chelsea in the match before a bizarre incident occurred involving the Spaniard.

Kepa appeared to have suffered another injury while making a save but refused to be substituted off for Willy Caballero in what was an embarrassing few minutes in which Sarri screamed at the young goalkeeper from the touchline to come off.

Yet he did not, and when Antonio Rudiger had to hold Sarri back from making his feelings known to Kepa just before the penalty shoot-out, it showed the lack of unity in the Chelsea camp.
Kepa, to his credit, did save Sane's penalty but he should also have kept out Aguero's effort, instead allowing it to roll under his arms.
But Luiz will also be disappointed with himself after hitting the post with his effort as Jorginho's opening penalty was saved by Ederson, to ensure City retained their EFL Cup crown and heap yet more misery on Sarri and Chelsea.
It's an early shot at revenge for the Londoners, who were humiliated by Pep Guardiola's side, losing 6-0 at the Etihad in the Premier League earlier in February...
12 hours ago
Sarri: Guardiola 'lucky' to get time at City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was "lucky" to be given adequate time to adapt to English football and imprint his philosophy on the club before leading them to titles, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has said.
Sarri is under pressure at Chelsea after the club dropped to sixth in the Premier League standings and were dumped out of the FA Cup, with bookmakers making him the favourite to become the next Premier League manager to be sacked.

Guardiola took charge at City in 2016 and finished his debut season without a trophy for the first time in his managerial career before leading City to a record points haul last season in their league triumph.
"He (Guardiola) was lucky. I think that, if you choose Guardiola, you have to wait because the club knows very well that Guardiola needs time," Sarri told reporters ahead of Sunday's League Cup final between the two teams.
"It's not really very easy for an English team to play that kind of football, so it's normal."
10 hours ago
Maurizio Sarri wants Chelsea to play with 'free minds' in EFL Cup final
Under-pressure Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri wants to free his players' minds ahead of Sunday's EFL Cup final with Manchester City.
Embarrassing losses at Bournemouth and City - Chelsea's heaviest defeat in 28 years - plus the negative reaction of supporters in Monday's FA Cup exit to Manchester United has ensured Sarri's position is precarious.
Chelsea beat City 2-0 on December 8, but the 6-0 loss came just two weeks prior to the final at Wembley, when Sarri will be seeking the first trophy of his managerial career.
Given the week Chelsea have had - they were unconvincing in beating Malmo in the Europa League on Thursday - Sarri will try for a relaxed build-up.
"We will prepare the match only on Saturday, I think," he said. "I didn't like our minds in the first 30 minutes (against Malmo).
"I want to see something more free. So we will prepare the match in 60 minutes, no more. But I think the quantity is not important."
9 hours ago
How the teams could line-up
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is a doubt for this afternoon's League Cup final with Manchester City due to a hamstring injury.
Willy Caballero could deputise against his former club if Kepa, who missed Thursday's Europa League win over Malmo, is not deemed fit.
David Luiz, Eden Hazard, Gonzalo Higuain and Marcos Alonso did not play against Malmo but should come into the side at Wembley, while full-back Davide Zappacosta and winger Pedro could be in the squad following illness.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have doubts over John Stones, Gabriel Jesus, Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph.
Defender Stones (groin) and striker Jesus (hamstring) will both be assessed after missing the midweek Champions League win at Schalke.
Defender Mendy continues to struggle with a knee problem and midfielder Delph has had a number of niggles and suffered illness in recent weeks. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Achilles) is out long term.











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