Man City clinch EFL Cup

Manchester City have won the 2019 EFL Cup with a penalty-shootout victory over Chelsea in Sunday’s final at Wembley Stadium.

The two teams played out a goalless draw in 120 minutes of action, with Chelsea producing a brave display against last season’s winners, but City prevailed 4-3 on penalties with Jorginho and David Luiz missing for the Blues.

Leroy Sane also missed for City, but Raheem Sterling netted the decisive kick to give Pep Guardiola’s team their first trophy of the season as they target the quadruple.

Bernardo Silva’s floated cross was controlled by Sergio Aguero and the Argentine found space to send a volley towards goal, but his effort from 12 yards cleared Kepa Arrizabalaga’s crossbar.

Chelsea improved as the first half progressed, but another opportunity went the way of Aguero who saw a deflected effort from the edge of the area comfortably saved by Arrizabalaga.

A similar pattern of play continued after the restart with City seeing plenty of the ball, but their sole opportunity went to Fernandinho who volleyed high over the crossbar.

Aguero had the ball in the net just before the hour mark after a sharp turn and finish inside the area, but VAR confirmed the assistant’s initial decision that the striker was offside by the narrowest of margins.

However, City began the second period of extra time by creating their best opportunity of the match through Sterling but after the winger’s cutback for Aguero, Cesar Azpilicueta stuck out a leg to prevent the forward from tapping home into an empty net.

Aguero then forced a solid stop out of Arrizabalaga down to his left who appeared to suffer an injury in the process, and it led to Sarri being eager to introduce Willy Caballero.

However, Arrizabalaga refused to walk off the pitch and after a stand-off between the pair, a seething Sarri eventually relented and allowed the Spaniard to see out the match.

The match went to penalties and both of Arrizabalaga and Ederson made saves from the first three spot kicks, but Luiz struck the post with Chelsea’s fourth and it proved costly as Bernardo Silva and Sterling wrapped up victory for City.