THIS ONE’S FOR COLIN!
Stones dedicates win to Bell as City reach fourth straight final
JOHN Stones says City’s impressive semi-final win was a reflection of the late Colin Bell’s style of play.
The Blues booked a place in their fourth successive Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 victory over their rivals at Old Trafford.
It came just 24 hours after news broke of the death of legend Bell.
The players walked onto the pitch wearing his iconic No.8 shirt, and Stones – who opened the scoring for City – paid tribute to him.
“Firstly I’d like to send our condolences from everyone in the dressing room at City to Colin Bell and his family,” Stones said. “I think how we played was a reflection of him, a great moment for us and I’m sure he’s looking down on the game today.
“Another final for us, another great occasion, a derby that we’ve won against another top team, just thoroughly pleased.
“I thought the first half we set the tone on how we played against such a good side. They posed us problems and we dealt with that so well.
“I thought we had so many chances and we did the job at the end of the day.”
On his first goal in three years for City, Stones said the fact both goals came from set-pieces was no coincidence, with boss Pep Guardiola having worked on set plays in training this week.
He explained: “I was trying to follow the ball in, I couldn’t see the line of the ball. They held a high line and we practiced on it in training.
“Set-pieces we know how vital they are in big games, so to get something on it was great.”
Stones is flourishing in recent weeks alongside Ruben Dias, and he put his good form down to hard work and making sure he takes his chance.
He added: “I’m just working hard, trying to play as many games as I can, play as well as I can when I’m on the pitch, give everything for the shirt.
“Staying true to myself, to what I can do and what I can improve on. Playing in these big games is something I thrive off, the team thrives off.
“I’m trying to improve as much as I can and playing well.
Boss Pep Guardiola also 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.”
The Spaniard hailed reaching the final of the competition for a fourth successive season as an ‘incredible’ feat.
Asked if he was frustrated at half-time with the game goalless, he replied: “You are frustrated when you play bad. The team is ready and that’s why we came here and an outstanding performance.
“When the team have the mentality to do it, we achieve something incredible.
“I know the Carabao Cup is not th the Champions League but four tim times in a row we have reached the fin final, it’s incredible.
“I am so impressed for the quality ity of this team.”
Asked about the prospect of fa facing his old foe Jose Mourinho an and Spurs in the April 25 final at W Wembley, Guardiola added: “It’s no not next week the game, so we’ll se see.
“Of course Tottenham is a top, top team but we have time to think about it.”