Manchester City dominated Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup final but just managed to sneak a 1-0 win to secure their fourth consecutive victory in the competition.
With 8,000 fans watching on, Aymeric Laporte squeezed a header past Hugo Lloris on 82 minutes to give City the cup.
City have now tied Liverpool for most men’s League Cup titles, with both sides winning eight each.
In a surprise to many, Harry Kane was named in the starting team despite carrying an injury. However, there was little for him to do in the first half as City dominated with Spurs struggling to get a hold of the ball.
Phil Foden had one of the best opportunities to put Pep Guardiola’s men ahead on the 26th minute when his shot from eight yards off deflected off Toby Alderweireld and onto the post.
Moments later, Raheem Sterling saw his shot fly just wide and the half ended with both sides level.
Spurs started the second half brighter, with Giovani Lo Celso forcing Zack Steffen into a rare but excellent save two minutes in. It was a powerful performance from the United States men’s national team player who started ahead of No. 1 pick Ederson.
At the other end of the pitch, Lloris was forced into a number of good saves as City continued to hammer his goal, including a powerful shot from Riyad Mahrez on 73 minutes.
However, 10 minutes later, Laporte headed past Lloris from Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick.
Pep Guardiola’s face was a picture of joy at the end of a week that saw Manchester City heavily criticised as one of the Premier League clubs involved in the ill-fated and quickly abandoned European Super League.
No one can begrudge City or Guardiola this piece of history, with Laporte’s winner finally making the breakthrough that their performance – top class in so many areas apart from end product – deserved.
Riyad Mahrez was outstanding while Raheem Sterling was tireless – even if his finishing touch still eludes him.
It means City, who lost the chance of a historic quadruple when they were beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley eight days ago, secure their first trophy of the season three days before their Champions League semi-final first leg at Paris St-Germain.
The loss continues Spurs’ longest trophy drought since 1951. Their last title was the League Cup in 2007-08.
