Manchester City win Carling Cup, Willy Caballero the hero

Agencies
LONDON, FEBRUARY 29

Both goalkeepers proved the difference in different ways as Manchester City triumphed over Liverpool on penalties in the Capital One Cup Final on Sunday being deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time.
Willy Caballero saved three penalties as he vindicated Manager Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to start him over Joe Hart for the Capital One Cup.
Both teams enjoyed almost even possession, but City undoubtedly created more clear cut chances on the night.
Sergio Aguero’s shot was pushed onto the bar by Simon Mignolet expertly as the Manchester side tried to exploit Liverpool’s makeshift defensive pairing of Lucas Leiva and Kolo Toure.
Mamadou Sakho had started the match, but after a clash of heads with teammate Emre Can, was deemed unfit to carry on by the Liverpool medical team.
Kolo replaced him and to his credit, performed admirably against a City attack that threatened to overrun the Merseyside team at times.
Still, despite playing well overall, Mignolet again committed a high profile error, allowing Fernandinho to score past him from an narrow angle.
The Brazilian raced through on the right, collecting a layoff from the dangerous Aguero on the 49th minute. He managed to squeeze a shot past the Liverpool goalkeeper who will surely feel he could have done better.
Playing in his new position on the wing, he was exceptional , combining extremely well with his team-mates throughout the game.
Raheem Sterling disappointed for City, missing two excellent chances which would have put the game beyond any doubt.
City were denied a clear penalty when Ageuro was clearly tripped by Alberto Moreno in the box, but referee Michael Oliver inexplicably waved play on.
City started to tire in the last quarter of the match, and Liverpool started to press for an equaliser.
And City were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Phillipe Coutinho scored from rebound.
Substitute Adam Lallana hit the post, and the little Brazilian Coutinho was quick to place the ball in the net on the 83rd minute.
Extra-time onwards, both goalkeepers acquitted themselves well, making a crucial stop each.
Divock Origi, almost scored with a point-blank header, but Caballero somehow made an impressive reflex save.
Aguero went close again in extra-time, but Mignolet made another superb save to ensure the match went to penalties.
Yaya Toure proably should have been sent off for stamping high on Lalllana, and definitely so for his part in the ensuing melee between both teams. He was seen grabbing the Englishman by the throat which the officials somehow deemed fit for just a yellow card.
Liverpool started well, Emre Can scoring with a cheeky chip down the middle and Fernadinho’s spot-kick hit the post.
City took charge then as Cabellero made his first save from Lucas Leiva after which Jesus Navas scored City’s first.
Coutinho was thwarted by an increasingly impressive Cabellero and Aguero scored his penalty as City took the lead 2-1.
After Caballero saved the next one from Lallana, Yaya Toure scored his deciding penalty to win Manchester City their second eague Cup in three years.