Man City blast League Cup ball

ENGLISH soccer chiefs have defended the ball used in the League Cup after Manchester City’s Yaya Toure said it was worse than the much-maligned Jabulani one from Adidas used in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Manchester City and Championship club Wolves used the Mitre Delta ball in Tuesday’s League Cup tie at the Etihad Stadium, with the hosts needing a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals after the match finished goalless after 120 minutes.

“I don’t like it, to be honest,” City and Ivory Coast midfielder Toure said yesterday.

“I think they have to be better than that because the ball was too soft. It’s rubbish,” Toure said. “The World Cup one [Jabulani] was better.” Guardiola lambasted the Mitre Delta, suggesting it was not a serious ball for a professional game.

But the English Football League (EFL) defended the ball and said it would talk to Guardiola.

“The Mitre ball for this season’s Carabao [League] Cup is of exactly the same technical specification as the balls in the English Football League and Checkatrade Trophy, all of which are tested and meet the Fifa Quality Pro standard,” the EFL said.

“We will engage with Mr Guardiola and Manchester City to understand any concerns.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal were five minutes away from losing to second-tier Norwich City at the Emirates.

But England U19 striker Eddie Nketiah equalised after coming off the bench to send the game into extra-time at 1-1 with his first senior goal, after a Josh Murphy chip had given the visitors the lead.

And the 18-year-old Nketiah ensured the Gunners would be in the quarterfinal draw when he headed home the winner.

Jesse Lingard scored twice as holders Manchester United saw off Swansea 2-0 in Wales after a shock Premier League defeat by Huddersfield. – AFP