CUP OF JOY: STONES SENDS MAN CITY TO WEMBLEY

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’s first City goal since November 2017 and Fernandinho’s first since October 2018 gave the Carabao Cup kings a 2- 0 victory at United, 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 former Barnsley defender 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.

Opening goalscorer Stones – who left his hometown club Barnsley to join Everton in 2013 – dedicated the win to Bell.

“Firstly I’d like to send our condolences from everyone in the dressing room at Man City to Colin Bell and his family,” said Stones.

“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.

“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.”

PICTURE: PA MAKING HIS MARK: A Yorkshireman settled the Manchester derby last night, Barnsley- born John Stones opening the scoring for Manchester City as they booked a fourth successive appearance in the Carabao Cup final with a 2- 0 win over Manchester United.

PEP GUARDIOLA: Has led Manchester City to a fourth successive League Cup final.