City trump Utd in Manchester derby to enter League Cup final

John Stones and Fernandinho were the unlikely goalscorers for Manchester City, who reached the League Cup final for the fourth consecutive season after they inflicted more semi-final pain on Manchester United with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s team will face Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in the final at Wembley on April 25.

Mourinho was United boss the last time they lifted a trophy in 2017 and the Red Devils wait for silverware under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer goes on as they lost a fourth semi-final in the past two seasons.

City great Colin Bell was remembered before kick-off after he died, aged 74, on Tuesday with his former teammate Mike Summerbee reduced to tears as he watched on from the stands.

Guardiola dedicated the win to Bell’s family, a day after the City great died aged 74.

“That’s for him and his family. This person helps to build something for this club,” said Guardiola.

“It is an incredible victory for us to beat United away and reach another final and, especially today, it is for him.”

‘NOT ENOUGH FROM UNITED’: Mourinho was United boss the last time they lifted a trophy in 2017 and the Red Devils’ wait for silverware under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer goes on as they lost a fourth semi-final in the past two seasons.

“It’s not psychological, sometimes you meet good teams in the semis,” said Solskjaer, whose side also lost to City at this stage of the competition last season.

“We met the best team in England and for me we didn’t have enough today.

“But we’re getting closer. This is a much better Manchester United compared to a year ago in those semis, that’s positive but not enough.”

Both sides have hauled themselves back into contention for the Premier League title in recent weeks, but neither manager took the opportunity to rest key players as both made just two changes from the weekend.

Any fears of a repeat of the goalless draw between the sides last month in the league were quickly dispelled as both had goals ruled out inside the first five minutes.

Stones breathed a sigh of relief when his own goal was chalked off for offside by Marcus Rashford in the build-up before Ilkay Gundogan was also denied by the offside flag.

Zack Steffen was deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, who was one of City’s absentees due to a coronavirus outbreak, and the American produced an incredible save to deny Bruno Fernandes his 16th goal of the season with a curling effort that was destined for the top corner.

City looked more like their old selves in a thrilling first-half performance to blow away Chelsea on Sunday and they were inches away from the opener thanks to a stunning move that started deep inside their own half and ended with Kevin De Bruyne smashing against the post from the edge of the area.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half when Stones cushioned in Foden’s free-kick with his thigh for his first goal in three years.

After Dean Henderson made fine saves to deny Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez. the City goalkeeper could only watch as Fernandinho volleyed into the bottom corner after United failed to clear a corner for his first goal in two years, seven minutes from time.

‘MUST LEARN FROM LOSSES IN SEMIS’: Paul Pogba meanwhile said United are on the right track but they must learn from a series of disappointing semi-final defeats if they are to return to winning trophies.

“Of course (it is disappointing) because it’s not the first one as well against City at home,” Pogba said. “Details make the difference all the time and when it’s big games like this, details, set-piece and we lost on this.

“We have to learn. We have to learn because it’s not the first time.”

“The club is built on winning and on big things, so that’s all we want to get -- the big stuff,” added Pogba.

“We’re improving, we’re improving in the league and, even if we lost in the semi-final, we’re still going far in it and that’s what we want.

“But now it’s, like I said, details. It’s good to improve but you have to go to the next step now. All of us.”