LONDON -- Manchester City won the Carabao Cup with a nerve-wracking penalty shootout victory over Chelsea at Wembley. After a game of few chances ended 0-0, Ederson saved from Jorginho, David Luiz hit the post and Raheem Sterling smacked in the winning penalty off the crossbar.
Positives
Pep Guardiola warned it would be a different Chelsea to the one they thrashed two weeks ago, and he was proved right. That said, his side dug in when they needed to, particularly when Maurizio Sarri's side were on top at times in the second half. They kept their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to secure their first silverware of the season and keep the "quadruple" dream alive.
Negatives
Extra time and a couple of injuries were the last things that City needed -- particularly with a tough game against West Ham in just three days' time. Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte are key to City defensively, and Pep Guardiola will be hoping they are not missing for any significant amount of time as the fixture schedule begins to pile up.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Pep Guardiola showed his ruthless side by leaving out young goalkeeper Aro Muric, who had played in every round of the Carabao Cup on the way to Wembley. It proved to be the right decision when Ederson saved the first penalty of the shootout. It was difficult for him to influence the game with his substitutions with Laporte and Fernandinho forced replacements due to injuries and he looked increasingly frustrated with his players as Chelsea grew into the game.
Player ratings: (1-10; 10 = best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ederson, 8 -- Had very little to do for 120 minutes but pulled off a great penalty save from Jorginho in the shootout.
DF Kyle Walker, 7 -- Came up against Willian, who was one of Chelsea's rare threats on the counter-attack but generally kept the Brazilian quiet.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 7 -- Had a relatively comfortable afternoon. Misjudged one cross and was relieved to see his header drift just wide of his own goal and made a great tackle on Eden Hazard when isolated.
DF Aymeric Laporte, 6 -- Hazard was Chelsea's biggest threat on the break and the French defender had a couple of uncomfortable moments when isolated against him before going off at half-time.
DF Oleksandr Zinchenko, 7 -- Chelsea seemed happy to force the ball out to the left-back, who was more likely to take a safe option. Coped well with the threat of Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi when he came on.
MF Fernandinho, 7 -- Typically tigerish in midfield, winning the ball back and trying to set up City attacks.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 6 -- Found it far harder to influence the game with Chelsea getting players around him after his performance in the 6-0 win a fortnight ago and too often tried to force the play.
MF David Silva, 6 -- So often the man to unlock defences in tight matches, but found it difficult against a well-organised Chelsea side.
FW Bernardo Silva, 7 -- Emerson was much quicker to close the winger down and give him less space but he still produced some moments of quality. Never stopped running.
FW Sergio Aguero, 6 -- Worked hard and was waiting for a chance to fall his way. Had the ball in the back of the net but was millimetres offside according to the VAR. Fortunate to see his penalty squirm in under Kepa Arrizabalaga.
FW Raheem Sterling, 7 -- Cesar Azpilicueta looked worried by the winger after he was torn apart two weeks ago but the England international didn't make the most of it. Kept his nerve to hit the winning penalty.
Substitutes
DF Vincent Kompany, 5 -- Got caught out by Hazard on a couple of occasions.
MF Ilkay Gundogan, 6 -- Found it difficult as Chelsea grew into the game.
FW Leroy Sane, 4 -- Couldn't make the same impact as in midweek and missed in the shootout.
MF Danilo, 6 -- Moved into an unfamiliar defensive role and looked solid.