Despite going down 1-0 at home to Manchester United, Manchester City are through to the EFL Cup final to face Aston Villa.
Match Report
Manchester City will get the chance to defend their EFL Cup title in the final against Aston Villa after beating Manchester United 3-2 on aggregate, despite Nemanja Matic – who was also sent off – inflicting a 1-0 defeat in Wednesday's second leg.
City produced a wonderful display in the first meeting at Old Trafford and were arguably unlucky to only win 3-1, though it proved to be enough to send Pep Guardiola's men to Wembley even though they failed to meet expectations at home.
Despite finding themselves under extreme pressure at times in the first half, United managed to go into the break ahead thanks to Matic's satisfying strike in the 35th minute, casting some uncertainty over City's command of the tie.
Match Events
8' CHANCE! Mahrez's shot saved
9' NO PENALTY! Sterling tackled down in penalty area
16' De Gea makes another great stop from Aguero!
35' GOAL! Man City 0-1 Man Utd (Matic)
GOAL! MAN CITY 0-1 MAN UTD! (3-2 AGG) Fred curls the free-kick in and Man City can't clear with the initial header. The rebound lands to Matic who rifles home on the half-volley from the right of the box. That's a great finish.
42' OFFSIDE! Sterling scores but goal is disallowed
Man City have the ball in the net but the flag's up. It comes from a flowing move that Sterling finishes at the far post, but he's yards offside. No VAR needed for that decision.
58' WHAT A CHANCE missed by Sterling!
76' Second Yellow Card! Matic sent off
RED CARD FOR MATIC! United tap the ball around on the edge of City's box to whistles from the home fans. De Bruyne intercepts and Matic unceremoniously barges Gundogan over as the German tries to break. That's Matic's second yellow card and he'll have to go! United will have to play at least the next 15 minutes with 10 men.