Bernardo Silva inspired Manchester City to an emphatic win over Manchester United, putting them on course for another EFL Cup final.
Match Report
Manchester City have one foot in a third consecutive EFL Cup final after dispatching Manchester United 3-1 in the first leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford.
Beaten 2-1 by their local rivals in the Premier League a month ago, Pep Guardiola sprung a tactical surprise by starting with no recognised striker in a strong-looking line-up.
The move proved inspired as City tore through a United defence that was missing the injured Harry Maguire, with Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and an Andreas Pereira own goal putting them 3-0 up at the break.
Marcus Rashford got a goal back to give United a glimpse of hope ahead of the second leg in three weeks, but a first final since they won the competition in 2017 already looks beyond them.
Match Events
8' CHANCE! Rashford's first attempt blocked by Fernandinho
United counter and his first touch burns past Otamendi, allowing the forward to cross low beyond Bravo.
Fernandinho is on hand to clear. United stay on the front foot, but a poor Fred shot is miscued to the offside Rashford.
17' GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 Man City (Bernardo Silva)
It's a stunner from Bernardo Silva! City have dominated possession and, after some plodding passing, Walker accelerates the move and squares to the midfielder.
Still 25 yards from goal, he thunders a left-footed drive across De Gea into the top-left corner.
25' CHANCE! Sterling’s shot blocked
Two last-ditch blocks deny Sterling! Walker is causing all sorts of problems and a lovely one-two with De Bruyne sees him in behind Williams.
An accurate low cross finds Sterling, who shoots first against Lindelof and then against Jones. United survive, but back come City.
33' GOAL! Man Utd 0-2 Man City (Mahrez)
A stunning counter-attack and Mahrez makes it two! Glorious play from Bernardo Silva, who drives his team forward this time, the scorer turning provider with a stunning pass in behind Lindelof.
35' Yellow Card! Lingard booked
United are getting a little frustrated, unable to gain any measure of control over this game. Lingard's challenge on Fernandinho certainly lacked control, a lunge into the City captain punished with a card.
39' OWN GOAL! Man Utd 0-3 Man City (Andreas Pereira)
Ruthless! James' poor touch on the edge of the area allows City to break. Bernardo Silva again frees Mahrez, who this time is brilliantly tracked by Williams.
A desperate tackle merely plays in De Bruyne, though, the midfielder chopping into space with a stunning touch.
De Gea blocks the shot but the rebound strikes Pereira. The ball is in the net once again.
52' Yellow Card! Fred booked
Some noise at last from the home faithful. Fred trips Mahrez and goes into the book, prompting whistles.
54' POST! Mahrez almost score a second goal
Lovely pass from Mendy from right to left gets Mahrez back on the ball after his initial corner is cleared.
The winger is in behind Williams and, from a tight angle, thunders a right-footed drive against the base of the post.
De Gea may have had it covered, but Mahrez is enjoying himself up against Williams.
63' Yellow Card! Rodri booked
Rodri is getting the hang of these tactical City fouls there is so much discussion about. He chops down Pereira as the United man runs at the away defence.
70' GOAL! Man Utd 1-3 Man City (Rashford)
It's 3-1! Seconds after City fans were cheering each pass, United break - as they did in the league last month - and Rashford finishes clinically into the bottom-left corner.
73' Yellow Card! Brandon Williams booked
Williams was lucky to avoid a card earlier for a wild swipe at Mahrez.
He is shown yellow this time, though, shoving the same player to the ground as he goes up for a header.
82' Yellow Card! Walker booked
Walker goes into the book for time-wasting with a throw-in, City again choosing to slow the game.
88' SAVE! Bravo parries Rashford long shot
Rashford, under no pressure, lines up a shot from 20 yards.
It fizzes straight at Bravo, whose handling is questionable, the goalkeeper dropping the shot just wide of his left-hand post.