Aymeric Laporte scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to lift the Carabao Cup for a fourth consecutive season.
It was a momentous occasion for both teams at Wembley as Manchester City sought to retain the Carabao Cup for a fourth season in a row while Tottenham Hotspur were on the hunt to end their 13-year-long trophy drought. However, Spurs never really looked like they would do be able to cross the hurdle, despite Harry Kane returning from injury to start.
Indeed, it was pretty much Manchester City for the majority of the first half as Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden had goal-bound efforts blocked after both had missed the target early in the game. Hugo Lloris would thenJoao Cancelo while Riyad Mahrez missed narrowly twice as the scoreline stayed intact heading into half-time.
Tottenham showed a bit more initiative after the break as Giovani Lo Celso forced Zack Steffen into a save early on but the Cityzens wrested back the control and continued to pile on the pressure as Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan missed good chances while Mahrez was denied by Lloris. And the goal finally came in the 82nd minute when Aymeric Laporte rose the highest to nod home Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick.
Mahrez had the ball in the back of the net again in stoppage time but the offside flag went up. But there was no harm done as Pep Guardiola’s side held on for another deserved victory to lift the Carabao Cup for the fourth time in a row. Tottenham, meanwhile, were thoroughly outplayed and will now have only the top-four place in the Premier League to play for.
Here are our player ratings for both Manchester City and Tottenham stars on a special night at Wembley.
Manchester City
Zack Steffen: 6/10
A comfortable outing for the USMNT international as his team dominated from start to finish. Had just the one save to make all game, which he did to deny Lo Celso in the second half. Repaid the faith shown by Guardiola who started him over first-choice goalkeeper Ederson Moraes for the finals.
Kyle Walker: 7/10
Coming up against his former club on the big stage, the England international was solid all night as he made sure Son Heung-min did not get into the game all that much. Was largely reserved in his attacking movements but still managed a key pass.
Ruben Dias: 7/10
Rock solid at the back, the Portuguese anticipated threat well and nipped it in the bud before it could develop. Made four clearances while also winning four aerial duels and was reliable as ever on the ball.
Aymeric Laporte: 7/10
No Man City player has scored more goals in the League Cup this season than Aymeric Laporte (2).
That might be the winner at Wembley. ? pic.twitter.com/1SKow117GL
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 25, 2021
Stepping into the side after John Stones’ red card in midweek, the Frenchman did not start all too well and gave away a few needless fouls. Booked on the cusp of half-time when he fouled Lucas Moura to stop a counter. Held his discipline though, before going on to score the winning goal with a flicked header.
Joao Cancelo: 8/10
Having been out of form of late, the Portuguese couldn’t have picked a better occasion to turn things around. Was a constant attacking outlet as he made four dribbles (game-high) while also created two key chances and had a shot saved by Lloris. Defended well, especially after the break, finishing with two tackles, a clearance and five aerials won (also a game-high).
Fernandinho: 7/10
Got the nod over Rodri in the middle of the park and the Manchester City captain was solid as ever in his defensive work letting little past him, which in turn helped Manchester City assert their dominance. Kept his team ticking along nicely, as he completed 95% of his passes, including two key passes. Booked for a tactical foul in trademark fashion.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7/10
Oozed calm and composure when on the ball and ran things for Manchester City from the centre, playing as many as four key passes – the most by any player on the night. Should have done better with his chance in the second half when he fired wide.
Riyad Mahrez: 8/10
?? Riyad Mahrez v Spurs (Cup Final)
Best African in the world… MOTM pic.twitter.com/PLcNvhCZC7
— . (@Mx7rez) April 25, 2021
May not have been involved in a goal but the Algerian was one of Tottenham’s chief tormentors on the night. Constantly caused Sergio Reguilon and the Tottenham backline problems cutting in from the right. Had a couple of efforts miss narrowly in the first half while another was saved in the second. In between that, he also managed to create three chances for his teammates.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8/10
Recovered from his injury just in time to start the Carabao Cup final and De Bruyne was one of the best players on display on the night. Slotted in as the No.10, but had the licence to roam around which he constantly did, making it difficult for Spurs to pick him up. When given the time on the ball and space to work with, his quality needs no introduction. And time and again he played some delectable passes for his teammates, eventually getting the assist for the match-winning goal.
Man City’s opener came via Kevin De Bruyne’s 20th assist for club and country this season.
The man for the big occasion. ?? pic.twitter.com/opvsyTAanc
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 25, 2021
Raheem Sterling: 6.5/10
Did everything but score on the night and thankfully, that did not come back to haunt Manchester City. Lively in the final third, sharp movement throughout but the finishing let him down on a number of occasions, as three of his five shots were off target and the other two were blocked. Did win the free-kick that led to the winning goal, though.
Phil Foden: 7/10
The Player to Watch in our match preview, Foden was bright from the get-go, having a shot deflected onto the woodwork while some of his skills and footwork were just sublime. That being said there were times when he flitted in and out, playing through the middle. Finished with two key passes.
SUBSTITUTES
Rodri: N/A
Replaced Fernandinho soon after the goal.
Bernardo Silva: N/A
Came on for De Bruyne in the 87th minute.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
What a brilliant first half from Hugo Lloris ??? pic.twitter.com/BJcOFXttyu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 25, 2021
The scoreline could have been so much worse for Tottenham if not for their captain. Made a fine save to keep Cancelo out in the first half while denying Fernandinho and Mahrez after the break. Left with no chance for Laporte’s goal.
Serge Aurier: 5/10
Good recovery tackle early in the game with Sterling bearing down on goal after his teammate had given the ball away. Defended resolutely for large parts and also played in a good cross to create a half-chance. Then, gave away the free-kick leading to the winning goal undoing all the good work.
Toby Alderweireld: 7/10
Solid at the back, the Belgian was the one who pulled off a fine block to divert Foden’s first-half chance onto the post and produced another such block in the second half. Strong in the air, he also swept up most of what came his way, making a match-high eight clearances. Not at fault for the goal.
Eric Dier: 7/10
Much like his defensive partner, Dier too had a largely solid game at the heart of the Tottenham defence even as Manchester City poured forward in numbers. Like Alderweireld, he too produced a couple of body blocks to stop Sterling and Mahrez from scoring. There were some sloppy moments when he tried to play out from the back, however.
Sergio Reguilon: 4/10
Sergio Reguilón vs. Man City:
75% pass accuracy
50% tackles won
14% total duels won
9 x possession lost
2 fouls committed
0 accurate crosses
0 chances created
0 take-ons
0 shotsOne to forget for the Spurs LB. ? pic.twitter.com/Xo1gq8sWuT
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 25, 2021
After an impressive game in midweek against Southampton this was a step back for Reguilon. Never really looked like he could stand up to the challenge of City’s dynamic attack and got done in on more than one occasion by Mahrez and Sterling. Booked for a lunge on De Bruyne.
Harry Winks: 5.5/10
Back in the starting lineup after having not featured that much under former manager Jose Mourinho in recent weeks, the England international saw the game bypass him in the first half. Showed improvements after the break and worked hard off the ball.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 6/10
Made a number of clearances and interceptions as Tottenham tried to keep Manchester City at bay. However, wasn’t always able to get tight enough to De Bruyne while he also lacked the quality on the ball to make things happen when Spurs were in possession.
Giovani Lo Celso: 5/10
Much like Winks, the Argentine too was bypassed for large parts and struggled to get a foothold into the game. Did force Steffen into a save early in the second half which was as good as it got for Lo Celso.
Lucas Moura: 6/10
One of the few Tottenham players that looked up for it and tried to take the game to Manchester City, Lucas was twice brought down while breaking forward in the first half. Continued to show positive intent, so it was a bit surprising that he was taken off for Gareth Bale.
Son Heung-min: 5/10
These pictures of Son Heung-min are heartbreaking ? pic.twitter.com/FtjCXSYlhC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 25, 2021
A poor outing for the 28-year-old who was constantly let down by his touch. Lost the ball early on, leading to a chance for Sterling and had to be saved by Aurier. Worked hard off the ball but never offered any sort of threat at the top and was lucky to have stayed on ahead of Lucas. No shot attempted but did play one key pass.
Harry Kane: 5/10
Made himself available for selection after having missed the last game due to injury. However, it was not to be Kane’s night of glory as he was deprived of any kind of service. Had to drop deep time and again to get on the ball which limited his effectiveness in attack. It’s telling that he did not have a single shot throughout the game. Time to move on?
Harry Kane's game by numbers vs. Man City:
33 touches
20 passes
2 clearances
1 tackle made
1 take-on completed
0 chances created
0 shotsBarely a kick. ? https://t.co/YD0i4vDJfT
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 25, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Gareth Bale: 5/10
Sent on in place of Lucas in the 67th minute. Couldn’t do much of note as City controlled proceedings.
Moussa Sissoko: 4/10
Replaced Winks in the 67th minute. Offered next to nothing on the ball and was beaten easily for the goal.
Dele Alli: N/A
Replaced Hojbjerg in the 84th minute. No time to turn things around.
Steven Bergwijn: N/A
On for Aurier in the dying stages as Spurs pushed for an equaliser.
