LONDON (AFP) -Â Manchester City retained the League Cup by edging Chelsea 4-3 on penalties on Sunday (Feb 24) after an incredible bust-up between Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.Â
The Italian tried to replace the world’s most expensive keeper towards the end of a cagey 120 minutes that ended 0-0.Â
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.Â
City goalkeeper Ederson denied Jorginho and David Luiz hit the post in the shootout before Raheem Sterling smashed the winning penalty past Kepa. 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.Â
The chances of Sarri losing his job were only heightened by a FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester United on Monday. With his back to the wall, it was perhaps understandable then that Sarri adopted a far more cautious approach.Â
Gonzalo Higuain was dropped to the bench to leave Eden Hazard to plough a lone furrow up front – as the Belgian did when Chelsea beat City 2-0 in December. Sarri is an open admirer of City boss Pep Guardiola’s work, but accepted his side’s limitations by gifting City possession and being far harder to break down than in recent weeks.Â
Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick in the Etihad mauling a fortnight ago, but the Argentine could only volley over with the best chance of a first half with precious few opportunities.Â
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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.Â
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.Â
Ross Barkley then curled just off target as Chelsea grew in confidence before more Hazard magic opened up City again only for Pedro Rodriguez’s cross to be cut out when the Spaniard should have gone for goal. 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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
A visibly furious Sarri even started making his way towards the tunnel before turning back to take his place on the touchline. Arrizabalaga did save Leroy Sane’s spot-kick, but should have done better when Aguero’s penalty slipped underneath his body.Â
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.
Brendan Rodgers took a step closer to a return to the Premier League on Tuesday when Celtic chiefs said they had allowed him to talk to Leicester City who on Sunday fired manager Claude Puel. He has rebuilt his reputation in Scotland by leading Celtic to a back-to-back sweep of all three domestic
Leicester identify Rodgers as Puel replacement - thesun.co.uk
MADRID • Cristiano Ronaldo's gesticulations were borne out of frustration. Read more at straitstimes.com. Ronaldo frustrated as Atletico grab late 2-0 win, Football News & Top Stories - The
Ronaldo learns fine for mocking Simeone with groin grab
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment Neymar will travel to Qatar to undergo a "complete assessment" six weeks into his recovery from a fractured right foot, Paris Saint-Germain said on
PSG star Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment - Sportstar
Hougang United Football Club, one of nine clubs in the professional football league, has filed a police report against an employee after losing S$278,200 from its coffers. ADVERTISING A female administrative staff member, Tean Tai Tee, allegedly misappropriated the sales revenue from the clubhouse between Nov 29 and Dec 11 last year.
tiagong, this female employee hoot Hong Gan United Football
BRIGHTON, England (REUTERS) - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the goal as Southampton withstood a second-half onslaught from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a vital 1-0 Premier League victory on Saturday (March 30). The win put the relegation-threatened Saints level with Brighton on 33 points, five above the drop zone.
Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
I couldn't stop laughing at their debacle yesterday. I was tired of pundits and so called expert puting all the blame on Emery while praising Tuchel even though his personnal record isn't as good as Unai's. He isn't PSG coach anymore and they couldn't stop criticizing him.
We can only blame Mustafi for Arsenal's defeat to Palace
Oh how much easier, simpler, sleepier, to trust in gods and in strongmen! It's worth noticing that the concept of unity as triumphant while affirming liberty and diversity is the concept under attack today. E pluribus unum means, actually, in ourselves and each other we trust. That, it turns out, may be the greatest challenge of all.
12 Powerful Ways to Trust Yourself — Purpose Fairy
Ramsey moving to Juve on five-year $62m deal, Football News
Injured Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay. Suarez, 32, is expected to miss between 10 and 15 days after limping off late in Sunday's 4-1 win at Real Betis in La Liga.
Luis Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay due to ankle sprain
Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has batted away suggestions the damaging 3-1 defeat to Wolves was another example of failing to perform under pressure. Spurs capitulated in the final 18 minutes
Harry Winks shrugs off 'Spursy' slight following shock defeat
Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead Juventus' old guard as they look to finish the job on Tuesday against Ajax's impressive young guns in a quarter-final clash between two sides desperate to end years of Champions League heartbreak.
Juve's old guard bidding to finish job against Ajax kids
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/15/juves-old-guard-bidding-to-finish-job-against-ajax-kids/
Turin (Italy) (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead Juventus' old guard as they look to finish the job on Tuesday against Ajax's impressive young guns in a quarter-final clash between two sides desperate to end years of Champions League heartbreak.
Kevin de Bruyne is set for another injury lay-off after suffering a suspected hamstring strain against Tottenham. The Manchester City playmaker will be assessed over the weekend, but Pep Guardiola
Manchester City Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne to miss derby with
Jun 05, 2019 · Toronto's 3-point shooting (11 of 25) could well prove to be the difference if the visitors hold on for a win in the first finals road game in Raptors franchise history.
Tony highlights: A historic win and a strong night for women
Liverpool vs. Barcelona score: Reds pull off monumental Champions League comeback, advance to final and both remaining matches can be watched on We've got you covered for the Women's World
News - FC Barcelona Official website
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