Goals from unlikely sources – John Stones and Fernandinho – were enough to see off Manchester United as City proceeds to the EFL Cup final.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City still had to play without a traditional striker but got the best chances in the EFL Cup derby match. Meanwhile, Manchester United players were far from being poor despite the loss.
In the opening moments of the EFL Cup semi-final clash, both teams believed they had scored only for the goals to be ruled out for for offside. However, there was no denying John Stones in the 50th minute after he turned in Phil Foden’s cross.
The match was far from over for Manchester United after going one goal down. Instead, they continued searching for an equaliser which eluded them in the match.
In the final ten minutes, Fernandinho fired in from 20 yards after United failed to effectively clear a corner. United’s Dean Henderson had been impressive during the game and stopped quite a handful of goal-bound attempts.
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But it is Guardiola’s ability to make do even with a depleted squad that makes the game even more memorable. As he did against Chelsea in their recent Premier League match, the Spanish tactician outmanoeuvred Ole Solskjaer.
A dominant display playing the Guardiola way! ?
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/oXTRjIecuy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 7, 2021
Manchester City has now set up a meeting with Tottenham at Wembley for the EFL Cup title on Sunday, 25 April 2021. It is City’s fourth EFL Cup final in a row and they have won the last three.
Both Manchester City and their neighbours United eye the top spot in the Premier League. With current champions Liverpool floundering, both teams will be focusing their energies on the remaining league games.
Poor Man United. I wanted them to win this one.