The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
City book place in another cup 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 beating their neighbours 2 -1 at an empty Old Trafford.
Rejuvenated Stones’ first City goal since November 2017 and Fernandinho’s first since October 2018 made sure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’ swait 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 DeBruy ne 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 50 th minute, when Stones ghosted in and capitalised on some questionable defending to turn home aFod en free-kick.
Dean Henderson United in it kept but
Fernandinho ended any hope of a comeback with a thumping low strike on a night when City paid their respects to club great Colin Bell, who died aged 74 on Tuesday afternoon.
The visitors emerged onto the pitch wearing retro number eight shirts in tribute to the ex-england international, with former team-mate Mike Summerbee understandably emotional during the minute’s silence.
Stones dedicated the win to midfielder Bell. He told Sky Sports: “I think how we played today 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.”
United boss Solskjaer admitted his side did not do enough to win the tie and rued their sloppy defending at set-pieces.
“City can score many great goals and you can accept that but when you concede two set plays – simple ones that we should clear – you are very disappointed, just not good enough in those moments.”
Asked if the hosts did enough to progress to the final, the Norwegian replied: “No, we didn’t. Clearly we didn’t, we didn’t create enough big chances, they didn’t create too many big ones either.
“We just didn’t have the extra finesse that we’ve had in the games lately.”