Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Unlikely lads put Man City in final
UNLIKELY goalscorers John Stones and Fernandinho secured Manchester City’s shot at a fourth successive Carabao Cup crown as Manchester United lost their fourth consecutive semi-final.
Pep Guardiola’s men have not tasted defeat in this competition since 2016 and will face Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in the final on April 25 after edging past their neighbours at an empty Old Trafford.
Rejuvenated Stones’ first City goal since November 2017 and Fernandinho’s first since October 2018 gave the Carabao Cup kings a 2-0 victory at United, who lost a fourth straight semi as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wait for a maiden trophy in charge continued.
This encounter was far more entertaining than last month’s drab goalless derby draw, with Bruno Fernandes denied by a superb Zack Steffen stop and Kevin De Bruyne hitting the post after each side saw a goal ruled out for offside.
Those incidents all came in a frantic opening 15 minutes and Phil Foden had a goal ruled out for offside before time was called on a captivating first half in which City bossed possession.
United held firm until the 50th minute, when Stones ghosted in and capitalised on some questionable defending to turn home a Foden free-kick.
Dean Henderson kept United in it but Fernandinho ended any hope of a comeback on a night when City paid their respects to club great Colin Bell, who died aged 74 on Tuesday afternoon.
City boss Guardiola dedicated the semi-final win to Bell, crediting him with helping City develop into the club they have become.
“It’s for him, of course, and his family. This person helps to build something special for this club that doesn’t have many, many trophies in the cabinet,” said City boss Guardiola.
“But that is not important because the legacy of some players will provide for this club in the past and some of these players we will have in the future.
“It is the club that we now we have. It’s an incredible victory for us to beat United away and to reach another final, and it’s for him, absolutely.”
United boss Solskjaer admitted his side did not do enough, saying: “City can score many great goals and you can accept that but when you concede two set-plays you are very disappointed.”