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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Man City: Pep Guardiola's men retain Carabao Cup title after beating Blues on penalties

Re-live all the action from Wembley

Jack Watson,Harry Latham-Coyle
Sunday 24 February 2019 13:53 EST
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Man City vs Chelsea: Carabao Cup final preview

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Manchester City retained the English League Cup by beating Chelsea 4-3 on penalties after a bizarre climax to the Wembley showpiece on Sunday which saw Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refuse to be substituted.

Nothing could separate the sides as the match finished 0-0 after extra time but it was City who claimed the season's first major silverware as they won the shootout.

Raheem Sterling fired the decisive spot kick past Spaniard Arrizabalaga to complete the first part of what could be a quadruple for Pep Guardiola's side.

Arrizabalaga minutes earlier been involved in surely one of the strangest incidents in a Wembley final when he defied Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri's orders to come off in the closing minutes of extra time after appearing to be injured.

Sarri, who had told substitute keeper Willy Caballero to take over from Arrizabalaga, was left fuming in the technical area at the open show of mutiny by one of his players.

"It was a big misunderstanding because I understood the keeper had cramp and was unable to go to the penalties. But it was not cramp and he could go to the penalties," Sarri said.

To compound matters Arrizabalaga then dived over Sergio Aguero's weak penalty during the shootout.

He did save from Leroy Sane but when Chelsea's David Luiz struck the post with his spot kick, it was left to Sterling to smash his penalty high into the roof of the net and send the City fans into delirium after a tense afternoon.

Re-live the action below:

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

Pep Guardiola stays on the pitch, elating his players hoist the trophy alone.

Bernardo Silva appears to have picked up man-of-the-match.

Harry Latham-Coyle24 February 2019 19:29

AND THE TROPHY IS HOISTED ALOFT BY DAVID SILVA AND VINCENT KOMPANY!

Manchester City win the first silverware of the season.

Harry Latham-Coyle24 February 2019 19:30

Guardiola watches on proudly from the pitch. 

Revelry in the Manchester City end, the Chelsea end emptying quickly.

Harry Latham-Coyle24 February 2019 19:31

Stay tuned to see what Maurizio Sarri has to say in his press conference.

I don't want to promise too much, but make sure you have some popcorn nearby,

Jack Watson24 February 2019 19:42

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta was feeling diplomatic when asked on Sky Sports what his view of the situation was. "I don't know I was on the other side of the pitch," he said.

"At Chelsea we are used to competing for trophies. Now we have to be focused, we have tough games coming up."

Jack Watson24 February 2019 19:54

Pep Guardiola distances himself from the Kepa situation: "I didn't really realise."

Jack Watson24 February 2019 20:04

Sarri on Kepa

We played a good match and then that situation I understood there was a problem and we needed a change and I realised this situation the doctor arrived at the bench. It was a big misunderstanding I understood Kepa had cramp so could not do penalties. It was not cramp.

I needed to return. The goalkeeper understood that I asked for a change for his physical problem and he said I haven’t.

The doctor arrived at the bench with the goalkeeper I wanted Caballero ready.

On whether he will punish Kepa: I have to talk to him to clarify now I have understood the situation.

They played exactly what I asked them.

Here I am very happy and in the last three matches we are improving a lot. Today we showed to everyone that we can become a very solid team because we conceded nothing to the opponents, against Manchester City not many teams do that.

If you look at the performance, it was really very good.

Jack Watson24 February 2019 20:08

Sarri is facing the press:

"It was a big misunderstanding

"I didn't want the goalkeeper to go into penalties in that physical condition.

"Kepa was right but in the wrong way."

Jack Watson24 February 2019 20:11

Sarri on what comes next:

"I was really angry. I want to talk to him because he needs to understand we can get in trouble especially with you [the media]. I will explain the situation, without any other problem." 

Jack Watson24 February 2019 20:13

Sarri on his future:

"I don’t know. You have to take the phone and ask the club

"I can only answer with my opinion"

Jack Watson24 February 2019 20:24

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