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Manchester City are Carabao Cup champions for the second straight season

Manchester City won the Carabao Cup in a penalty shootout at Wembley after Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga defied manager Maurizio Sarri's attempt to substitute him. City claimed the first major trophy as they chase a historic quadruple but this stale final, which was goalless after extra time, will be remembered for an almost unprecedented challenge to Sarri's authority by Kepa. The £71m Spanish keeper, Chelsea's club record signing, had been struggling with cramp in the closing stages of extra time and Sarri decided to send on substitute Willy Caballero, who saved three penalties in a shootout to help Manchester City win this trophy against Liverpool in 2016. Kepa refused to come off and Sarri backed down in a rage, before City won the shootout, with Raheem Sterling scoring the decisive penalty.

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Courtesy: UPI

Ilkay Gundogan, Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva scored from the spot for City and even though Kepa saved from Leroy Sane it was to no avail. Jorginho's spot-kick was saved by Ederson and David Luiz hit the post as Chelsea were sunk, despite Cesar Azplicueta, Emerson and Eden Hazard converting their penalties. City retained the trophy but Kepa's insubordination is the headline story.

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Courtesy: RFI

It was a tactically sound and spirited Chelsea display, in sharp contrast to the 6-0 mauling at Manchester City on 10 February. Chelsea grew into the game and could consider themselves unfortunate to lose in this manner; but the ramifications of those closing moments will reverberate around Stamford Bridge and could have very serious consequences for both Sarri and his goalkeeper.

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Courtesy: The Indian Express

City claimed the first of the four trophies on their agenda without being at their silky, creative best. Pep Guardiola's side were stifled by Sarri's astute game plan but stuck at it and did the job on penalties, they only way they could break Chelsea's resistance. The win may come at a price, with Fernandinho injured, but the top sides can find a way to prevail when not at their peak and this was City delivering a prime example. Bernardo Silva kept City ticking over throughout and while a City quadruple is still a distant prospect, they have hit their first target.

This was a final that will always be recalled for what happened in the other camp but City were not concerned about that as they celebrated wildly on the Wembley turf.

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Courtesy: BBC

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