Sunderland triumphed in rather emphatic circumstances to advance to the League Cup Final after a Penalty shootout win away at Manchester United.
Sunderland lead the first leg 2-1, but took Manchester United to spot kicks following Javier Hernandez’ last gasp toepoke for United, to make it 2-1 on the night, 3-3 over the two legs.
Goalkeeper Vito Mannone was the hero for the Weirsiders, and the Italian Stalion kept out Rafael’s tame kick to send Sunderland to a Final, were they will meet Manchester City on the 2nd March in the Wembley showpiece.
Manager Gus Poyet stated after the game…..
“It’s been a difficult season, they deserve that,” said Poyet. “Let’s see if we can go one more and win it.”
“The things that happened today, it’s incredible, but the players have been outstanding. Credit to them,” said the Uruguayan.
Goal scorer Bardsley also stated his delight.
“It’s been a remarkable achievement from the lads,” said Sunderland’s ex-United defender Bardsley. “They’ve dug in the last three months, worked their socks off and we’re getting the rewards.”
The Cup Final brings the focus off their struggling Premier League campaign.
On the other hand, Manchester United boss David Moyes was left shell shocked as Sunderland advanced, before defending his keeper De Gea.
“I am disappointed. We didn’t play well enough over the piece,” said Moyes.
“If we were going to do it we were going to stumble over the line.”
Moyes also defended De Gea, who’s mistake virtually coast United the tie, as he spilled as Bardsley daisy cutter in the bottom corner.
Moyes added: “I didn’t think we played well enough on the night. We had opportunities to score a second goal and put ourselves in a better position but we didn’t do it.
“It is disappointing but it is part of the job. There has always got to be a loser in a semi-final and it happened to be us.
“I think there have been other games where we have played well enough and not won but I didn’t think we played well enough here. The goal was a bit unlucky for David De Gea but, again, we didn’t play well enough.
“I didn’t think we tried to hang on to anything when we were ahead. I don’t think we could have put more attacking players on if we had tried. We had opportunities to finish the game off but we didn’t take them.”
The defeat see’s United best chance of a Trophy ended following the Cup exit.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
