Carabao Cup final 2019: Man City beat Chelsea on penalties

Manchester City beat Chelsea on penalties at Wembley to clinch League Cup for fourth time in six years.

Vincent Kompany of Manchester City lifts the trophy after winning the Carabao Cup Final. Picture: Getty Images

Manchester City have claimed the first trophy of the season as they beat Chelsea on penalties at Wembley to clinch the League Cup for the fourth time in six years.

Raheem Sterling scored the vital penalty to give holders City a 4-3 shootout win after the match had ended 0-0 after extra time, the sixth time they have won the competition (now known as the Carabao Cup) in all.

“In the penalties, anything could happen, we were lucky,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.

“I’m happy, but compliments to Chelsea, incredible performance. (It’s great) to win back to back in this competition for the first time in history.”

Kepa Arrizabalaga refuses to be substituted. Picture: Getty Images

The match ended in controversy when Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri tried to send on goalkeeper Willy Caballero late in injury time, only for Kepa Arrizabalaga to refuse to leave the field.

Jorginho missed the first penalty for Chelsea but Kepa saved from Leroy Sane to give Chelsea hope, only for David Luiz to miss and Sterling to fire in the deciding penalty off the underside of the bar.

“Chelsea played a really good game but we kept focused and did the business,” City striker Raheem Sterling said.

“It’s a great feeling. It was a tough game but it’s just amazing. The boys were brilliant today.” With City fighting for trophies on four fronts, including the Premier League, Sunday’s win gives City momentum but Sterling said the players would not get ahead of themselves.

“One trophy down, we just need to keep winning games and that’s it,” Sterling said.

Guardiola agreed, saying: “I don’t know how far we’re going to arrive because (Aymeric) Laporte, Fernandinho (are injured). We will be there but we’ll see how far we arrive.” It is the first time that City have successfully retained a major title, while it is the 21st trophy as manager for Guardiola.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, centre, talks to his player before the start of extra time. Picture: AP

City went into the match as favourites but Chelsea made life difficult for Guardiola’s side, with just one shot on target between the two sides in the 90 minutes.

That honour went to Nicolas Otamendi and though City had two more in extra time, neither side did enough to win it, though the actions of Kepa left Sarri livid on the sidelines.

The penalty shootout began with Jorginho, whose tame effort was easily saved by Ederson.

Ilkay Gundogan made it 1-0 for City but Cezar Azpilcueta scored to level at 1-1. Sergio Aguero just about put City in front with a scuffed shot before Emerson scored to make it 2-2.

Sane then saw his shot saved by Kepa, low to his right but David Luiz’s penalty hit the post to put City in charge again.

Bernardo Silva fired down the middle to make it 3-2 and though Eden Hazard levelled with a brilliant chip, Sterling slammed in the winner.

DPA