London: Manchester City retained the League Cup by edging Chelsea 4-3 on penalties Sunday after an incredible bust-up between Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Italian tried to replace the world’s most expensive goalkeeper towards the end of a cagey 120 minutes that ended 0-0 but the Spaniard refused to get off the field.
Kepa had received treatment for an injury in the final stages, but also has an inferior record of saving spot-kicks than Willy Caballero, who Sarri attempted to introduce.
The ex-Bilbao man did save Leroy Sane’s spot-kick, but should have done better when Aguero’s penalty slipped underneath his body. Ilkay Gundogan also found the net for City before Sterling sealed the start of a potential quadruple of trophies this season by drilling his penalty in off the underside of the bar.
Until that flashpoint, the afternoon had been a success for Sarri just two weeks on from Chelsea’s worst defeat since 1991 in a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of City in the Premier League.
City were dealt an injury blow as Vincent Kompany had to replace Aymeric Laporte at half-time, and Hazard routinely exposed his Belgian international teammate’s lack of pace after the break.
Chelsea had an anxious wait just before the hour mark for VAR to confirm Aguero was offside after he found the net, but most of the second half action came at the other end.
Sarri’s gameplan nearly worked perfectly 24 minutes from time when Hazard let Kompany trailing and crossed for N’Golo Kante, but the French World Cup winner couldn’t keep his shot under the bar.
Only the finest of margins denied Hazard once more in stoppage time as he raced clear on goal only to see the offside flag go up to Sarri’s dismay.
An extra 30 minutes also failed to muster a goal with City regaining a semblance of control. A combination of Cesar Azpilicueta and Kepa prevented Aguero turning home Sterling’s cross from point-blank range.
Aguero had one final chance to win it three minutes from time, but Kepa made his best save of the game low to his left before refusing to make way for Caballero.
PTI
