LAPORTE IN A STORM
LATE WINNER MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW FOR CITY AS SPURS SUFFER AGAIN
AYMERIC LAPORTE headed a late winner as Manchester City deservedly beat Tottenham 1-0 at Wembley to claim the Carabao Cup for the fourth successive year.
The Frenchman, who Spurs felt could have been sent off earlier in the game, nodded in from a corner eight minutes from time as City picked up an eighth League Cup, moving them level with Liverpool in the all-time totals.
Spurs caretaker boss Ryan Mason gambled on the fitness of Harry Kane but the England captain hardly threatened in the game.
The London team will argue, however, Laporte was fortunate to still be on the field to claim the decisive goal.
The Frenchman committed two cynical fouls on Lucas Moura in the latter stages of the first half but was only booked for the second.
But overall, considering it was a final between two clubs with pretensions of a European Super League, this was a one-sided affair, with Tottenham unable to end their 13-year trophy drought. Off the field, it was a day for the whole game to relish, with 8,000 spectators present, 2,000 fans from each side and 4,000 from the local community.
It was the first time a game has had supporters from both teams since the coronavirus pandemic dramatically altered the landscape of English football 13 months ago.
Spurs fans certainly made their thoughts on the board clear as they, along with City, continue to deal with the fallout from the ESL episode. City were boosted by the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who started despite Wednesday’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain looming. Pep Guardiola’s side were straight on the front foot and it was remarkable it took them so long to make the breakthrough.
Raheem Sterling teed up a good chance for Phil Foden, who shot wide. Sterling then fired wide himself from a Riyad Mahrez cross before having another good chance brilliantly blocked by Eric Dier.
Foden thought he had scored after De Bruyne whipped in a cross but his effort deflected off Toby Alderweireld and a post. Alderweireld dragged a long-range shot
wide but nearly all the action was at the other end and Mahrez twice fired narrowly wide as Spurs somehow made it to the break at 0-0.
Mason’s side did improve in the second half, and Giovani Lo Celso curled in a lovely low shot saved by Zack Steffen. But City still looked the likelier scorers. Fernandinho headed at Hugo Lloris, Mahrez forced another save from the French goalkeeper and Ilkay Gundogan volleyed wide. The decisive goal finally arrived eight minutes from time, as Laporte powered a De Bruyne free-kick into the net. It was enough to secure the 21st trophy in City’s history, moving them above Aston Villa into fifth place in English football’s all-time list. Yet another success for Guardiola. His team are on the verge of winning the league title too, and could add the European Cup. A vintage season for City once more.