The First Trophy Is Sky Blue – With A Hero Goalie

Penalty shootouts. Nervous for everyone involved – and usually it’s decided by an off-shot, or the odd save here or there. But Manchester City‘s Willy Caballero – a man who had a disaster against Chelsea in the FA Cup just last week – pulled off a goalkeeping performance that’s going to be talked about for some time.

Not one. Not even two… but THREE consecutive saves from Liverpool shots left the reds with no chance to even get involved in the shootout. Manchester City won the Capital One Cup 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of normal play.

After a goalless first half, City would open up on the 49th minute with Fernandinho finding the net for them. More attempts fell the way of ex-Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling, but try as he might he couldn’t score. It would cost them, as Courtinho would level the game for the reds on the 83rd minute – leaving extra time required. No further goals meant that it would go to a penalty shoot-out.

Initially, things looked positive for Liverpool: it was 1-0 after the first round of penalties when Fernandinho hit the post, but then Caballero came in to his own. His saves against Lucas, Courtinho and Lallana allowed Navas and Aguero to put City ahead, before Yaya Toure would get the third and mean the 5th and final go of penalties wasn’t even required.

Despite the quadruple now being over for Manchester City, the treble is still possible – They hold a crucial 3-1 lead against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League, and are currently 9 points down on Premier League leaders Leicester City – but with a game in hand. Against who? Liverpool on Wednesday, no less…

As for Liverpool, it looks difficult – but not impossible – to get some silverwear this season. They’re out of the FA Cup, they lost yesterday’s Capital One Cup final and they sit 18 points down in the Premiership. They are still in the Europa League, however – but their next tie is against their biggest rivals Manchester United, so that is bound to be a great pair of matches!

Ashley Redman
Sterling Effort