Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) lifts the trophy as Manchester City players celebrate their victory in the English League Cup final football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in north London on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
Raheem Sterling fired the winner in a penalty shootout as Man City retained the Carabao Cup following a 0-0 stalemate against Chelsea at Wembley.
Chelsea produced a battling performance throughout and there was never going to be a repeat of their 6-0 hammering by City a few weeks ago in the Premier League.
That hard work was undermined late on in extra time as Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was involved in an amazing stand-off with manager Maurizio Sarri by refusing to be substituted after going down twice with cramp.
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Chelsea boss Sarri wanted to replace the apparently injured goalkeeper with Willy Caballero in the closing minutes of extra time at Wembley but the Spaniard stayed on the field despite his number being shown on the board.
Under-pressure Sarri reacted with fury as the game ended goalless after 120 minutes.
Kepa redeemed himself slightly by saving a spot-kick from Leroy Sane but with Ederson denying Jorginho and David Luiz hitting a post, City claimed victory 4-3 on penalties and the first leg of a potential quadruple.
It was a quiet opening 20 minutes at Wembley as neither side created any chances.
City enjoyed the territorial dominance but lacked their usual zip in the final third.
It was largely an exercise in attack versus defence as City continued to dominate the play but they came up against an organised Chelsea side, far different to the one that was hammered 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium a couple of weeks ago.
Sergio Aguero blazed an effort over from 15 yards but neither side mustered a shot on target in a goalless first half.
Aguero thought he had put City ahead 10 minutes after the restart as he latched onto a loose ball and slotted home but he was flagged offside, with VAR ruling it was marginally the correct decision.
There was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of 90 minutes as it went to extra-time.
