Manchester City have won the 2014 League Cup after goals from Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas helped City on their way in a 3-1 triumph at Wembley.
It is Pellegrini’s first domestic trophy in charge at City, after a superb display against a resilient Sunderland side.
Sunderland themselves started the game superbly, after taking the game to City in the opening exchanges, with Jack Colback and Adam Johnson causing the Manchester City back four problems, on an overcast afternoon at a jam-packed Wembley.
Perhaps many suggested that the game would be a walkover for the glittering squad of City talent, however, they were being made to work hard for their efforts, against a resolute Sunderland back four in the opening ten minutes.
City were made to pay after 10 minutes, as Sunderland took a deserved lead, to send their allocated half of Wembley into delirium.
Adam Johnson collected a ball from fullback Phil Bardsley, before smashing the ball up-field, more in hope than expectation, the ball dropped to Borini, with the Italian controlling the ball superbly, before getting the better of last man Kompany, the maverick Italian international then found space on the edge of the area, before beautifully stabbing a shot with the outside of his foot past Costal Pantilimon into the far corner of the net, a shock appeared to be on in the Wembley showpiece.
Fullback Marcos Alonso sprinted down the wing in a superb manner, skipping a challenge on the way, before whipping a teasing ball into the box, with Kompany just about cleared from the advancing Borini, as Sunderland looked for a second after 15 minutes of the game.
City looked rather lacklustre beyond belief, however, Vito Mannone had to keep out Sergio Aguero’s long range pile driver after 17 minutes, as Pellegrini’s men looked to hit Sunderland on the break.
Sunderland were defending deep in their own half, inviting City forward on a regular basis, versatile midfielder Yaya Toure saw his effort go just over Mannone’s bar.
Poyet’s team showed real togetherness in the fight to keep City at bay, and Aguero was denied by a superb last ditch tackle on the half hour mark.
Up the other end, Jack Colback was coping well in his midfield battle, playing Borini through, however, Pablo Zabaleta tracked back well to tackle Borini who was all but ready to pull the trigger.
Seb Larsson, who also had a superb game alongside his midfield counterpart, picked out Adam Johnson, who dashed round his man, but failed to pick out Borini.
City huffed and puffed towards half time, and Mannone had to be at his best to keep out the returning Aguero, smothering the ball well.
Borini then had another chance, but then missed a vital chance before half time, whilst, Yaya Toure skimmed an effort just over the bar on keeper Vito Mannone’s Birthday.
Sunderland came out for the second half and could have had a second in the 50th minute, as Ki collected a pin-point pass, and lashed a shot from around 30 yards out towards goal, however, Costal Pantilimon did enough to tip the fizzing effort over the bar.
Five minutes after the Ki miss, City were back on level terms after a superb goal from Yaya Toure.
Toure collected the ball after good build up play, before curling a superb effort into the top corner from 30 yards out past the dive of Mannone.
The goal was a real turning point, as one minute later, the Citizens had a second goal to their name.
Sunderland were punished on the counter attack, and Samir Nasri met a sublime cross into the area, with the French international smashing in a superb effort from the edge of the box, past a static Mannone.
Poyet’s side continued to press in a tight game, and can go away from Wembley with a sense of pride, despite the defeat.
As Sunderland threw men forward in a last gasp attempt to take the game to extra time, they conceded a third through Jesus Navas on the counter attack.
Alonso was caught in possession by midfielder Fernandinho who produced a lung busting run before playing a pass to the superb Toure, who in-turn picked out Navas, the Spanish winger did the rest, and curled in at Mannone’s near post in stoppage time at the end of the second half.
Kompany almost made it four, however he diverted his shot just wide from a corner.
Not a vintage performance, however a Cup win for City, who may be returning to Wembley for an FA Cup tie very soon.
Manchester City’s Samir Nasri: “So much joy, so much pride as well. I lost the two finals that I played here before. Today it was really important to win.
“In the second half, we came with intention and scored three goals. I hope this cup is going to bring some others. We were still confident [at half-time]. We said we needed to stay calm and remain focused, play higher up and play with more tempo and that’s what we did.
“We want to win everything. We’re going to compete for the league, the FA Cup and we’re going to try to make something in the Champions League. I hope this is going to bring confidence and we’ll fight until the end.”
Sunderland captain John O’Shea: “We’re terribly disappointed. We started the game exactly how we wanted to. We counter-attacked great, scored a fantastic goal.
“They’ve scored a great goal to get back into it. He stuck it in the top corner from 30 yards out and we lost a bit of organisation for a few minutes and it cost us the second goal. City finished very strong. We have a huge test for the rest of the season and we have to pick ourselves up quickly and I’m sure we will.”
Manchester City goalscorer Yaya Toure on Sky Sports:
“It was unbelievable. We needed to win today, it was very important. Sunderland made it difficult for us in the first half. It’s unbelievable and we deserve it. The final is only one game, you need to enjoy it, and today we showed we have a great team. I think it was [my best goal].”
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet also praised his side’s stature.
“We gave it a go, but the chance to score a second goal, maybe that was the difference. We knew everything had to go for us, we knew it. Yaya Toure scored a wonder goal, Samir Nasri scored an incredible goal too. We did everything we could.
“That’s the best part of what we are all about. To beat us they had to score two wonder goals. I hate losing but I’m proud of the players.
“If we do this every week I’m sure we will stay in the Premier League and will come back to Wembley [in the FA Cup].”
He went onto say…..
“The Sunderland fans made me feel better because of the way they talked to us on the walk up at the end. It’s a horrible walk to get the losers medal, it’s difficult to take. I’m sorry I wasn’t the happiest when I was going up there.
“We need them now. I’ve said from day one, it was nearly an impossible job to stay in the Premier League. We were at the bottom, too far from the rest but we have done some special things and I hope this gives us the experience to stay in the Premier League.”
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini stated…
“I’m very happy. The team deserve this cup because we played well during the whole cup and scored a lot of goals. It’s important for all of us – for the players, the club, for me, for the staff – all of us.
“Sunderland play a good match also and we didn’t move the ball as fast as we needed [in the first half] but in the second half we scored two beautiful goals and had the patience to wait for the moment.”
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
