Sunderland Echo

PEP EYES FINAL GLORY AS CITY MARCH ON

BRAVE BRISTOL CITY MAKE GUARDIOLA’S STARS FIGHT HARD TO REACH WEMBLEY FINAL

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Pep Guardiola is dreaming of being a Wembley winner again after Manchester City booked their place in the Carabao Cup final.

City saw off Bristol City 3-2 at Ashton Gate, winning 5-3 on aggregate, to set up a Wembley final against either Arsenal or Chelsea on February 25.

And it means that Guardiola will be returning to a part of London he knows well having won European football’s greatest prize there both as a player and as a manager.

Guardiola played in Barcelona’s first European Cup success at the old Wembley in 1992, and also led the Catalan club to Champions League glory against Manchester United at the rebuilt stadium in 2011.

“We are so happy to be in the final, it is an achievemen­t for everybody,” boss Guardiola said after goals from Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne booked City’s Wembley ticket.

“It is a special place for my career, as a player I won in the old Wembley when Barcelona won the Champions League for the first time.

“I also won there as a manager, but it is not just special for me. It is special for all of us at Manchester City. We have won a lot of games, but we will be judged on the titles we are able to win.”

City’s night was slightly soured by an injury to England defender Kyle Walker, with Guardiola admitting he did not know whether his nose was “broken or not”.

They were almost denied victory on the night when Marlon Pack and Aden Flint scored second-half goals, but the impressive De Bruyne converted with the final kick of the match.

“I think we played amazing in the first half, but we lost control,” Guardiola said. “Maybe that will be good for the Champions League against Basle, it shows that 90 minutes is too long and anything can happen.

“Last season, we were in the semi-final of the FA Cup and I am delighted to be in the final. It is a competitio­n which demands a lot and takes a lot of energy when you are playing Premier League and other matches.

“It is tough on your mentality, but once we arrive in the semi-final we have to try and get to the final.

“I am pleased to be there and hopefully we will arrive in a good condition.”

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson paid tribute to his players after a memorable cup run which saw his Championsh­ip side knock out four Premier League clubs.

Watford, Crystal Palace and Stoke were all beaten before the Robins overcame Manchester United 2-1 at the quarter-final stage.

“I’m very proud, not just of the team but of the club,” Johnson said. “It’s been a fantastic run, which unfortunat­ely has come to an end against a top side.”

 ??  ?? Bristol City’s Aden Flint and goalkeeper Luke Steele react as Manchester City’s Leroy Sane celebrates scoring his side’s first goal at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City’s Aden Flint and goalkeeper Luke Steele react as Manchester City’s Leroy Sane celebrates scoring his side’s first goal at Ashton Gate.

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