Man City beat Spurs to lift Carabao Cup
Manchester City won the League Cup for a record-equalling fourth amount of time in succession with a deserved victory over a disappointing Tottenham Hotspur side at Wembley.
City defender Aymeric Laporte, arguably fortunate to be on the pitch after escaping a yellow card in the first half before being cautioned after the break, rose above Spurs substitute Moussa Sissoko to head home Kevin de Bruyne's free-kick eight minutes from time.
It was appropriate reward for City creating a bunch of chances and dominating Spurs, who didn't enjoy any kind of positive reaction from sacking manager Jose Mourinho on Monday and replacing him with caretaker Ryan Mason.
The ultimate was played in front of 8,000 supporters, including 2,000 from each club - and it was a delight to listen to noise inside Wembley's vast arena once more.
City's victory equalled Liverpool's achievement in the first 1980s of winning your competition four years in a row, and also matching the Reds' overall tally of eight triumphs, and manager Pep Guardiola said his players are motivated by such milestones.
"That's what these players give for future years generations of the club. It is not winning [just] one title," Guardiola told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"This team within the last decade was the team in England - since Roberto Mancini won the Premier League, this team wins frequently in England.
"It's nice, four Carabao Cups in a row, this means consistency in the team to be there. We beat Arsenal and Manchester United along the way so we can say we deserved to win this competition.
"Just how we played was fantastic and it's nice when you win a title. The most impressive thing is within the last 33 games we won 30."
City start their silverware collection
Guardiola's face was an image of happiness by the end of weekly that saw Manchester City heavily criticised as one of the Premier League clubs mixed up in ill-fated and quickly abandoned European Super League.
No-one can begrudge City or Guardiola this moment of joy and little bit of history, with Laporte's winner finally making the breakthrough that their performance - top quality in so many areas aside from end product - merited.
Riyad Mahrez was outstanding while Raheem Sterling was tireless - whether or not his finishing touch still eludes him.
It means City, who lost the opportunity of a historic quadruple when they were beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley eight days ago, secure their first trophy of the growing season three days before their Champions League semi-final first leg at Paris St-Germain.
"We went to play at an incredible level, with incredible quality," added Guardiola.
"We can not deny one eye is always on the Champions League but we take every game seriously, otherwise it really is impossible to win four Carabao Cups in a row."
City are within touching distance of regaining the Premier League title which means this cup success, the 30th major trophy of Guardiola's glittering managerial career, sets an ideal platform for further glory ahead.
The Spaniard's players may have feared they would purchase their missed chances but anything apart from a City win is a real injustice, regardless if France defender Laporte was slightly lucky to have obtained only 1 yellow card before his match-winning intervention.
Spurs' big gambles neglect to pay off
It has been an eventual couple of days for Spurs, with Mourinho surprisingly dismissed at the start of a week where they were wanting to win their first major trophy since 2008.
Chairman Daniel Levy and the club's hierarchy simultaneously became a target for criticism over Tottenham's involvement in the European Super League.
Indeed, one of the first chants from the two 2,000 Spurs fans who were reunited inside Wembley was 'We want Levy out'.
In the context of the cup final, it had been a gamble to dispense with Mourinho - who boasts a track record of success on these sort of occasions - and replace him with 29-year-old rookie coach Mason.
If it was made to lift clouds for this Spurs squad and spark a reaction that may overcome City, it failed miserably. Mason's side - and it must be stressed he has barely had any moment to exert serious influence - were insipid, lacklustre and may haven't any complaints about the result.
Harry Kane, a personal injury doubt until late in the build-up after sustaining an ankle injury in the draw at Everton, declared himself fit but looked well off the pace and stayed down on a few occasions after challenges.
The England captain made minimal impact on the overall game but he had not been alone in that respect for Spurs, whose await a trophy goes on after a poor display.
Son Heung-min was in tears on the pitch following the final whistle and caretaker boss Mason said: "It hurts. I am sitting there as a player, I've played because of this soccer team and lost a final, I really know what it's like.
"I understand that feeling. It's normal that they are hurting. It's normal, because it shows that they care. I believe we saw that today, they gave absolutely everything, 100% commitment.
"City certainly are a great side, an unbelievable team, but I believe our band of players gave everything using what they experienced to deal with in seven days. That is something to be pleased with."
