LONDON • It was evident how far Manchester United's stock had fallen at Leicester, where the away Manchester City supporters were in full voice, trolling their cross-town rivals with "bring back (Jose) Mourinho" chants.
They were jubilant after seeing their side beat Leicester 3-1 on penalties on Tuesday night to move into the League Cup semi-finals, with United having exited the tournament in the third round under their sacked manager.
Despite making eight changes from their last game against Everton, the Cup holders remain on course for the third trophy of the Pep Guardiola era, although his players did not entirely have it their own way after the scoreline finished 1-1 in normal time.
The Spaniard was indebted to rookie goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, who showed "veins of ice" to emerge as the hero in the shoot-out, keeping out two of Leicester's attempts from the spot.
The 20-year-old Kosovo international has yet to play in the Premier League, with his three appearances this season all coming in the League Cup. But he was not the only relatively untested player to be given a run-out against the Foxes.
Spanish midfielder Eric Garcia also made his City debut and the 17-year-old's "huge personality" enabled the Premier League champions to gain a footing in the tie, striking first through Kevin de Bruyne.
It was the Belgium midfielder's first goal for City since April and there was unbridled joy on his face, with the club's Player of the Year having endured a stop-start campaign after suffering two separate knee injuries.
Although Marc Albrighton equalised for the Foxes in the second half, Muric repaid Guardiola's faith in him, stopping penalties from Caglar Soyuncu and James Maddison.
Only Raheem Sterling erred for City, blazing his spot-kick over, while Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko made no mistakes.
Guardiola cut a relieved figure afterwards, declaring the tie to be "a tough game" and admitting "it was always difficult at Leicester".
However, he reserved special praise for both Garcia and Muric, insisting their displays vindicated his decision to blood them at the King Power Stadium.
The 47-year-old told reporters: "Aro is so big, his reaction is so quick and he took the right decisions. It's good experience for him. He is a young guy, he is so shy, it's a nice moment. He deserves the big applause.
"He (Garcia) has good vision, a good pass. He's so smart. It's incredible, I'm very pleased. I'm so delighted with his performance."
De Bruyne, who made his first start since Nov 1, also hailed Muric's heroics as a "beautiful moment", adding: "To be out for so long and to play 70 minutes is a good sign for me. We want to win titles so there's two games more and we can battle for another trophy."
In the other last-eight tie, third-tier Burton advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in their history after a shock 1-0 win at Championship side Middlesbrough through Jake Hesketh's winner.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Nov 26, 2018 · By Adam White and Eric Devin for Get French Football a late equaliser after an incisive run from Neymar but, once more, PSG were outsmarted at the top level. was again among the goals for
Di Maria predicts 'big change' at PSG after - goal.com
Football: Pep Guardiola's biggest challenge is to find
Read more about Jesus fires as Man City snatch top spot from Liverpool on Business Standard. Pep Guardiola welcomed Gabriel Jesus's return to form as the Brazilian struck twice in a 3-1 win over Everton as Manchester City leapfrogged Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League.Jesus hadn't scored a Premier League goal for four months
Gabriel Jesus double fires Manchester City back to the top of
Football: Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours
Football: Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid. Neymar will miss Wednesday's Champions League last-16 return leg against Manchester United with the metatarsal problem he suffered six weeks ago.
Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid | Deccan Herald
I think the issue with VAR is simply how we perceive what the rules are. The reason so many of us 'disagree' with many of the calls made is because we just don't know the way the law is worded. The team of refs in the VAR room constantly talk to the referee as he makes calls on the pitch.
442oons - YouTube
Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final getty, Julian Finney Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is fit for Saturday's Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur despite missing the end of the Premier League season, manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday.
Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final
Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge and we are now looking at the highs of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho guided Manchester United to Community Shield success against
Jose Mourinho's record with Manchester United
Feb 11, 2016 · In Italy, a Top Club Stands Alone in Supporting Women's Soccer Image Noemi Fedele is a goalkeeper for Fiorentina, the only club in Italy's Serie A that operates a women's team.
Iran Football Headlines - آخرین اخبار فوتبال ایران
The magic of the FA Cup is alive and well in the spirit of
Arsenal star Olivier Giroud angry with constant criticism from France fans and says it is getting 'tedious' The Gunners forward has come under fire from France fans once again but Giroud is
France's Giroud looking to silence "mudslingers" with goals
Football: Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. "Watching now of course I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But
'I made a mistake': Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy
Juventus Win Eighth Consecutive Serie A Title. celebrates with teammates after Fiorentina scored an own goal following his shot during the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Fiorentina
Juventus crowned Serie A champions as Cristiano Ronaldo makes
Bologna players celebrate after scoring their side's first goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 20, 2019.
Bologna earn 'miracle' Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen