City outclass United to reach fourth straight League Cup final
SHOWS:
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (JANUARY 6, 2021) (POOL VIA REUTERS - EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (MUTE)
1. STILL PHOTO SHOWING JOHN STONES PUTTING MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 UP AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED IN THEIR LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL
2. STILL PHOTO SHOWING STONES CELEBRATING
3. STILL PHOTO SHOWING UNITED CAPTAIN HARRY MAGUIRE WITH HANDS ON HEAD
4. STILL PHOTO SHOWING UNITED MANAGER OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER AFTER THE MATCH
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (JANUARY 6, 2021) (MUTV - MUST COURTESY "MUTV". NO RESALE.)
5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, ON IF LOSING IN SEMI-FINALS IS A MENTAL ISSUE WITHIN THE TEAM, SAYING:
"I don't think it's a mental issue. It's, today, tonight it was about just that lack of quality compared to them. I thought we played against a good Man City team and they deserved to win. But, I felt, or I feel, you know, you're disappointed when you concede two set plays. You know, we defended well and they kept the ball really well at spells, especially first half and if they carve you open that's one way of losing. But, to concede two set plays, that's disappointing."
6. WHITE FLASH
7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE, SAYING:
"So, it's not a mental thing, but we need to be better. That's it. We need to be better. That's the answer. It's not, I'm not sure if that is a mental bit, I think it's some practice, some habits and some desire at times. Yeah, of course."
8. WHITE FLASH
9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, SAYING:
"Well, of course, it's not just about Bruno (Fernandes) not finding inspiration. It's the whole team that should create chances and when you play against good teams, I thought Man City played well tonight, you have to be spot on and you need to earn the right to create chances. We had some moments first half on the break. Second half it was more that we built pressure, but we didn't create big chances. Anthony (Martial) had a couple of half-decent ones, but we just didn't have enough in the, either the last pass or the last finish."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (JANUARY 6, 2021) (POOL VIA REUTERS - EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (MUTE)
10. STILL PHOTO SHOWING FERNANDINHO PUTTING CITY 2-0 UP
11. STILL PHOTO SHOWING CITY PLAYERS CELEBRATING
12. STILL PHOTO SHOWING CITY MANAGER PEP GUARDIOLA CELEBRATING
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (JANUARY 6, 2021) (MUTV - MUST COURTESY "MUTV". NO RESALE.)
13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER, PEP GUARDIOLA, ON DEDICATING THE VICTORY TO THE LATE CITY LEGEND COLIN BELL, SAYING:
"Today is quite remarkable what we achieve, but today is an honour for us to dedicate this victory for all our group, the people, the players, the backroom staff to Colin Bell and his family, for our Manchester City fans. That we miss him a lot and it's a great, great night for us and especially for Colin and his family."
14. WHITE FLASH
15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER, PEP GUARDIOLA, SAYING:
"So, we have to play and defend legacies like Colin Bell help us to create in this club, this incredible club. So, like Mike Summerbee, and it was an honour to see him today after the game and it's a big loss, of course, it's sad news. But we can continue, we're incredibly proud what this type of guys years ago create this club and do it. Of course, we don't have many trophies in the cabinet comparing other clubs in England, in Europe, but it doesn't matter when you love one club and Colin Bell creates this feeling. So, it's a fantastic day today, in our rivals in United, away in Old Trafford, playing, make an incredible display again and play an incredible football and win and go to Wembley again."
STORY: Manchester City reached their fourth straight League Cup final as second-half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho gave Pep Guardiola's side a 2-0 win over Manchester United in Wednesday's (January 6) semi-final at Old Trafford.
City will meet Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in the April 25 final as they seek their fourth League Cup trophy in as many years.
In a frantic opening to the game, both teams had efforts ruled out for offside with Stones turning the ball into his own net but being saved by the flag and Ilkay Gundogan converting a low ball in from Phil Foden but, again, the attempt was rightly ruled out.
Kevin De Bruyne struck the post with a thundering drive from outside the box before Foden also put the ball in the net for City but the visitors were foiled by offside once again.
It was an open and entertaining game with City looking sharper but United competitive as they sought revenge for last year's defeat by their neighbours at the same stage of the competition.
City went ahead five minutes after the break when Foden whipped in a free kick from the left through a crowded box and defender Stones bundled a cross home at the back post, the ball going in off his thigh.
United keeper Dean Henderson produced a brilliant save to tip over a strike from Riyad Mahrez, after the Algerian had burst forward from the halfway line.
Fernandinho made sure of the win seven minutes from time with a stunning volley as he pounced on a headed clearance from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
United have now lost at the semi-final stage in their last four Cup campaigns, leaving manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still searching for his first final since taking over at the club.
(Production: Stefan Haskins)
