Man City Square
Fansided

My Life in League Cup Finals #5 2019

By David Crook

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City and César Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City and César Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

On 24 February 2019 Manchester City beat Chelsea in the League Cup Final to retain the trophy.

Manchester City accomplished something for the very first time in their history back in February 2019. City actually retained a trophy for the first time in all their 125 years.

Unlike the bitter cold of the previous year, this was a warmer day and we spent a long time in the run up to the kick off just enjoying the fan zone. We sampled the beers in the outdoor areas and there was much singing, accompanied for some time by a brass band for a reason which was not altogether clear.

Our moved into the stadium and this time our seats were up in the gods and we had to contend with vertigo. At least City had provided flags to keep the fans happy!

More from Man City Square

This game itself was a close affair, with cagey passing and few real chances throughout the play. As the match went on the prospect of a winning goal became ever more remote.

The major talking point involved the Chelsea keeper Kepa. Their manager sensed that penalties were coming and attempted to replace Kepa with ex City penalty hero – Willy Caballero. However, in a show of defiance which undermined the Chelsea Manager, Kepa refused to leave the field of play, meaning Caballero was left standing like a numpty.

There followed the worst penalty shoot out I have ever seen. Usually, these shoot outs are won by stunning penalties but most of these were actually dreadful.

City took the lead in the shoot out thanks to Ilkay Gundogan but Chelsea equalised. Aguero stepped up for the second and hit a weak shot that somehow crept under Kepa. Chelsea equalised and then Leroy Sane missed.

David Luiz missed the goal with his chance and Bernardo hit a weak effort which went straight down the middle and in. Hazard scored a panenka penalty but it was left to Sterling to strike a rising shot high into the net, leading to scenes of mass celebration.

As fans we all knew just how lucky that victory had been but nevertheless it was as sweet as any before. Again we were left to celebrate in the Stadium on our own, as the Chelsea fans streamed out.

Little did I know that City would be there again in just 12 months for the third year on the bounce!

Home/Man City News