Second half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho inflicted yet another semi-finals heartbreak for Manchester United, as Manchester City qualified for the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.
It is now a fourth consecutive semi-final defeat for Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s side while Carabao Cup holders City are into a fourth consecutive final where they will face Tottenham Hotspur in April.
The game started in lively fashion as both sides had goals ruled out in the opening five minutes.
First, City goalkeeper Zack Steffen parried the ball away, but it deflected onto defender John Stones, who could not do anything but divert it into his own net.
There was a sigh of relief for City though, as the flag went up for an offside in the buildup.
Next, it was City’s turn to be denied by the other assistant referee. Phil Foden played the ball across to Ilkay Gundogan, who supplied the finishing touch, only to discover he too was offside.
There was a third disallowed goal for offside when Foden was played through before providing a composed finish through the legs of Dean Henderson. However, he had set off on his run too early.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 50 minutes as City went 1-0 up thanks to Stones who bundled home Foden’s outswinging cross.
The game quickly opening up, and City had another chance after a counter-attack. Foden picked out Raheem Sterling, whose header was clawed away by Henderson.
The England keeper was called into action again when he tipped over an effort from Riyad Mahrez that looked to be heading into the top corner before his intervention.
In the final 10 minutes City doubled their lead through Fernandinho who volleyed in from the edge after a clearance from a corner by Aaron Wan-Bissaka fell to him.
