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Player Ratings: Manchester City into Carabao Cup Final

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's players react at the final whistle during the English League Cup semi final first leg football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 6, 2021. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's players react at the final whistle during the English League Cup semi final first leg football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 6, 2021. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City beat rivals Man United to book a spot in their fourth straight Carabao Cup final.

For the second straight season, Manchester City defeated Man United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. City have won the trophy three straight times, and will now face Tottenham in the final as the North London club seek their first trophy since 2008. A day after the passing of club legend Colin Bell at the age of 74, City honored his memory with a 2-0 win in arguably the biggest game of the season to this point.

Defense

Zack Steffen (GK): Another good showing from City’s young keeper, showing they have a good option in the cup or when Ederson is unavailable at a minimum. (6.5)

João Cancelo (RB): Not quite up to what we have been seeing recently, but Cancelo still put in a solid performance and a clean sheet. (6.5)

John Stones (CB): Scored a crucial goal on a set piece after having an initial own goal ruled out by the offside flag. A Man of the Match performance from City’s reborn defender. (9)

Rúben Dias (CB): Another chapter in the story of City’s season to this point: the strength of the Dias-Stones partnership. Another clean sheet, another excellent performance. (8)

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB): Has been getting himself back into rotational contention with back-to-back solid performances, and dealt well with the looming threat of Marcus Rashford. (7)

More from Game Review

Midfield

Fernandinho (CDM): What a finish from the Brazilian from outside the area to seal the win. A commanding performance where City held total control of midfield. (8)

İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): Has gotten forward well, scoring one of City’s offside goals today, and continues to impress in an unexpected revitalization. (8)

Kevin De Bruyne (CAM): Rotated in and out of the central role up top with Riyad Mahrez, and saw a brilliant shot clatter off the post early. Overall, an influential game from the Belgian. (7.5)

Attack

Raheem Sterling (RW): His duck against United continues, but he was at least involved regularly. (6)

Riyad Mahrez (CF): Was anonymous for spells of the game as he was asked to play more centrally. (6.5)

Phil Foden (LW): Was definitely the team’s best attacker on the day, scoring a stunning goal between Dean Henderson’s legs that was ruled offside before delivering the crucial free kick that gave City the winner. (8)

Next. Man United 0-2 Manchester City: Honoring Colin Bell. dark

Substitutes 

Rodri (CDM): Helped see out the result before Fernandinho’s strike put it beyond all doubt. (6)