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
Qatar can win the Asian Cup for the first time, according to coach Felix Sanchez. The 2022 World Cup hosts booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat of Iraq on Tuesday.
Who is Qatar's national football team coach Felix Sanchez?
Ramsey moving to Juve on five-year $62m deal, Football News
Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute. The first overseas Manchester derby was cancelled just hours before kick-off because of an unplayable surface at Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium following heavy rain.
A solid win for the Blues. Emerson - 6.5: Decent game, but had a hard time against Ryan Sessegnon. Ranieri's exit was the last nail in the coffin for Fulham.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. "There's no doubt that Colombia
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/01/18/iran-coach-queiroz-set-for-colombia-switch-after-asian-cup/
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup AFP January 18, 2019 AFP No Comments Abu Dhabi (AFP) - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup.
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
Fandi rues missed chances in 1-1 draw It was encouraging that his team struck back immediately after falling behind, but Singapore's 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in the Asian Football Confederation Under-23 Championship qualifier yesterday still left a sour taste in coach Fandi Ahmad's mouth.
Safuwan scores to salvage Singapore draw in Hong Kong
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'faces' the facts after being used in Man United's new ad campaign . United caretaker Solskjaer said: "He was through the middle. no club has suffered at the hands
Ed Woodward's verdict on Solskjaer after Spurs win is huge
Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals. Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Newport County AFC v Manchester City - Rodney Parade, Newport, Britain - February 16, 2019
Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals
Qatari Goal Machine Ali Targets Europe Move Before 2022 World Cup Almoez Ali brushed off a row about his eligibility to scoop an Asian Cup winner's medal and smash a 23-year-old scoring record on Friday, confirming that Qatar have a potential star in the making for when they host the 2022 World Cup.
Qatari goal machine Ali targets Europe move before 2022 World
NEW YORK • Organisers of the Worldwide Champions Cup (ICC) - a high-profile summer time match for the world's largest soccer golf equipment - have determined to maintain Juventus and their star Cristiano Ronaldo away from the US this 12 months, eliminating the danger of the Portuguese being detained by authorities as a part of …
Ronaldo and Juventus Will Avoid U.S. Amid Rape Investigation
Barcelona and Liverpool face off in the semi-finals of the Champions League this week in what would be an exciting match. Both sides boast of some of the best attackers in the world in Lionel
Champions League Player Ratings: Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool
Pele to have urinary tract surgery in Brazil: hospital | The
AFC Wimbledon delivered an FA Cup fourth-round shock as the League One strugglers humbled Premier League West Ham United 4-2 in a gripping tie in south-west London on Saturday. Wimbledon, bottom
AFC Wimbledon Humble West Ham United in FA Cup Shock
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen