EFL League Cup Final - Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0 (Manchester City win 4-3 on penalties)
Manchester City retain the EFL Cup following a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Chelsea
Raheem Sterling hit the winning penalty as Manchester City retained their EFL Cup crown with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea following a goalless draw that saw Kepa Arrizabalaga incredibly defy under-pressure Maurizio Sarri.
City hammered Chelsea 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium two weeks ago but Maurizio Sarri's switch of system to use Eden Hazard as a false nine – with Gonzalo Higuain missing out at Wembley on Sunday – boosted his side's defensive solidity.
Pep Guardiola claimed pre-match it was too early to talk about City's chances of winning a historic quadruple despite being in the FA Cup quarter-finals, leading their last-16 Champions League tie with Schalke and sitting neck-and-neck with Liverpool in the Premier League.
Remarkably, an injured Kepa would not make way for Willy Caballero in extra time and, although he saved one spot-kick, Sterling converted the decisive effort for City to deny Sarri, reportedly close to the sack, his first trophy as a manager.
A controversial start saw Jorginho escape punishment after appearing to elbow Sergio Aguero straight from kick-off before referee Jon Moss gave no foul when Oleksandr Zinchenko's challenge halted the progress of N'Golo Kante as the midfielder ran through on the City goal.
City began to find their rhythm and Sergio Aguero rifled a shot over the crossbar before his deflected effort was easily claimed by Kepa.
The holders thought they had opened the scoring in the 56th minute but Aguero was rightly flagged offside and a VAR check upheld the decision.
Kante should have broken the deadlock but, after Hazard's dazzling run deceived City's half-time substitute Vincent Kompany, he blazed the perfect cutback over the crossbar.
Aguero and Sterling could not find a finishing touch in an extra-time goalmouth scramble before City's record goalscorer was denied by Kepa.
The Blues keeper required treatment twice in the added period but refused to be replaced by Caballero, who saved three penalties for City in the 2016 final, leaving Sarri furious.
Jorginho's tame effort was saved by Ederson to hand Chelsea an immediate advantage, but Kepa denied Leroy Sane and David Luiz hit the post.
Hazard's Panenka effort kept Chelsea alive but Sterling crashed his strike in off the crossbar to retain the title for City and keep their quadruple hopes alive.
Goals/ Highlights!
Penalty shoot-out! Jorginho & David Luiz miss for Chelsea, as Manchester City win the penalty shoot-out 4-3!
Extra-time- What a chance! Some heroic defending from Chelsea to deny Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Danilio!
What a chance at the death! Willian's free-kick is just tipped over by Ederson!
Chance! Chelsea springs away on the counter again, Eden Hazard picks out N'Golo Kante! His first time shot blazes just over! That was a huge chance for the Blues!
Second Half! Hazard bursts into the Man City box! The Belgian just can't get his shot away!
Eden Hazard goes on a mazy run! The Belgian is hounded out of the City penalty box!
Another Chance for Sergio Aguero! His time the snapshot is comfortably saved by Kepa!
It's been all City at the moment, Bernardo Silva picks out Aguero! The Argentine striker smashes a shot well over!
Kick-off! Immediate foul! Aguero gets barged to the ground 10 seconds into the game!
Nearly game-time! Plenty of pregame handshakes to enjoy!
Preamble
Sergio Aguero enjoys playing against Chelsea! He scored a hat-trick the last time the teams met a few weeks ago! Will the Argentine striker get on the scoresheet today?
13 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions against @ChelseaFC for @aguerosergiokun... ⚽#CHEMCI 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/sxu93fOOHM — Manchester City (@ManCity) February 24, 2019
Warm up time for Chelsea, can the Blues defy the odds today? If they do win it will be Maurizio Sarri's first trophy as a manger!
We're getting closer to kick-off! 👌#CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/PHXKAiPj0b — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2019
More reaction on the ground with Carrie Brown! Will no Higuain in the side hinder Chelsea today? We are 20 minutes away from Kick-Off!
Maurizio Sarri drops Gonzalo Higuaín! Clive Allen reacts to the team news from Wembley!https://t.co/gv3vYIwPrF#EFLCup 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/562hSs9CBs — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 24, 2019
Now for the defending EFL Cup winners, Man City! Ruthless from Pep! One change from the side that beat Schalke, Oleksandr Zinchenko is in ahead of Ilkay Gundogan. No place in the lineup for cup keeper Arijanet Muric.
Your City starting line-up for #CHEMCI... 🗒
XI | Ederson, Zinchenko, Laporte, Otamendi, Walker, Fernandinho, Silva (C), De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero.
SUBS | Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Gundogan, Sane, Mahrez, Foden.@HaysWorldwide 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/XH6b1krQ0z — Manchester City (@ManCity) February 24, 2019
Team news! First up, Chelsea! Kepa is passed fit, whilst Higuain is on the bench for his first English Cup Final, it looks like Hazard will be leading the line with Pedro & Willian on the wings!
Here's how the Blues line up for #CHEMCI! 💪 pic.twitter.com/5xSI81BCzJ — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2019
Oh here is Joleon Lescott with his prediction for the big game!
Former @ManCity defender @JoleonLescott makes his prediction ahead of the #CarabaoCupFinal#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/6XDLOfM8jf — EFL (@EFL) February 24, 2019
Meanwhile, the Chelsea dressing room is looking very good! Kick off is 19:30 Mecca...
Dressing room at Wembley looking 👌!
The Blues are on their way and will be arriving soon!#CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/B2vcTwxCWj — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2019
Chelsea wandering past the cup... as you do!
Cup final focus. 👊#CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/K0J1mGjGzU — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2019
Manchester City has arrived! They look quite dapper in those blue jumpers...
The boys are back in town 🙌#CHEMCI 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/4899jKM0Ps — Manchester City (@ManCity) February 24, 2019
So here we go! Chelsea and City battle it out for the EFL Cup! This game could throw up some painful memories for Chelsea fans, following the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Man City just over two weeks ago! Carrie Brown is on the scene at Wembley today, and has been chatting with Clive Allan in the glorious sunshine! Which is nice!
The first 🏆 of the season is up for grabs in the #EFLCup final!
Sarri's Chelsea future could be decided by the result while Guardiola looks to keep Manchester City's quadruple dream alive. Clive Allen is with @CarrieBrownTV. pic.twitter.com/hRnao1ZyYt — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 24, 2019
Good evening! Welcome to the Live Updates of Chelsea Vs Man City! Can the Blues stop the rot under Maurizio Sarri, or can Manchester City win the first trophy on what could potentially be a quadruple? As ever, join me for all the latest updates from the big game, including team news, Live match commentary and goals from the contest as they go in!
