CITY TAKE ROUTE ONE TO GLORY
CARABAO CUP FINAL Pep’s direct line to his first cup
THE M1 leads to north London and route one football put Pep Guardiola on Wembley cruise control yesterday.
In his 99th game as Manchester City manager, the Spaniard landed his first trophy with the club.
One thing is for sure – he won’t have to wait anywhere near as long for the second.
The Premier League title is in the bag and his men are favourites for the Champions League.
It was ironic that the 18th-minute opening goal from Sergio Aguero was the complete opposite of Guardiola’s normal approach, coming from a hoof downfield from goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
The Chilean’s punt was aimed at Aguero, who gave Shkodran Mustafi a little nudge in the back.
It allowed the ball to drop over both their heads, and Aguero turned and was away. As David Ospina advanced, the Argentinian was left with the simple task of lobbing the bouncing ball over his fellow South American from the edge of the area.
It was debatable whether Aguero had fouled Mustafi.
Stronger
What was beyond argument was the fact the German should and could have been stronger in the challenge, and that yet another Arsenal defensive cock-up had cost them dearly.
It was Aguero’s 30th goal of the season, 12 of them coming this year.
The second came in the 58th minute and also exposed the Gunners’ weakness at the back. Kevin De Bruyne played a corner to the unmarked Ilkay Gundogan on the edge of the box.
He did not connect particularly well with his first-time shot, which was going wide until Vincent Kompany stuck out his left leg to deflect it in.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said Leroy Sane was “100 per cent” offside. The officials didn’t agree and the goal stood.
In the 65th minute Danilo slipped a pass to David Silva, who turned Calum Chambers with ease and then drove home clinically.
Wenger had been waiting to send on Danny Welbeck when City scored their third. He gave the striker a little pat on the back as he put him on. With respect