Arsenal 1-4 Manchester City: Starters clinch victory to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals | Football news

Manchester City kept their Carabao Cup defense firmly on track after beating Arsenal with a 4-1 win at Emirates Stadium to reserve their place in the semi-finals.

Gabriel Jesus led the visitors into an early lead in the third minute, but Arsenal responded against the run through Alexandre Lacazette (31).

However, the Gunners, who lost Gabriel Martinelli to injury just after the break, fell behind again in the 54th minute after goalkeeper Alex Runarsson delivered a Riyad Mahrez free kick through their hands and into the net. .

Phil Foden added City’s third (59) with a skillful shot, despite repetitions suggesting he had strayed offside, before Aymeric Laporte’s (73) header completed the process for Pep Guardiola’s team. , which has now been 18 games without a loss in the League Cup. bid to win the competition for the fourth time in a row.

How Man City advanced to victory in North London …

Arsenal made the worst possible start when Jesus headed home an Oleksandr Zinchenko cross near the post with just over two minutes left.

With the state of form that they have been in recent weeks, the worst was feared for Arteta’s team and City went ahead with Mahrez’s shot destined for a goal blocked by Cedric Soares and Laporte’s header inches from adding a second.

However, despite City’s dominance, it was Arsenal that drew out of nowhere. After an opening ball was cleared in the box, Martinelli took a cross from the baseline and Lacazette was available to emphatically pass Zack Steffen to level the hosts.

Just before the break, City had a great opportunity to restore their lead, but Jesus, who was one on one with the goalkeeper, was turned away by an impressive one-handed save from Runarsson, while Steffen had to be quick on his line. to get to the ball ahead of Martinelli, who ran behind the City defense in an attempt to hold on to Joe Willock’s pass.

Martinelli took a worrying blow in that challenge with the goalkeeper and, despite leaving for the second half, he eventually limped off to be replaced by Nicolás Pepe.

The news would not improve for the hosts as City regained their lead 10 minutes into the second half, Runarsson spilling Mahrez’s free kick, which went straight for him, into the net.

Guardiola’s team then turned to style as Foden pulled Runarsson off his line before producing a good shot to lift the ball over the rushing goalkeeper, although the Englishman was lucky the VAR was not in operation as drifted offside when the ball was played.

Laporte ended the tie with City’s third goal in 18 minutes, heading a Foden cross from a short corner to continue City’s brilliant streak in the League Cup.

What the managers said …

Arsenal Chief Mikel Arteta: “Against this level of rival they penalize you and make it very difficult for you. We have a great moment of counterattack but then they score in an offside position and you end up losing the game again.

“It’s hard to accept, considering how the game was. This level of opponent, when you give away the goals, it makes the game impossible. A lot of strange things are happening in every game and that makes things really difficult.

“We have to turn it around, there is no doubt that the games we have are going to decide our season. Based on what we have shown tonight against tough opponents, I have fighters on my team. Yes, I have fighters.”

Man City Chief Pep Guardiola: “Both teams need to score goals, we make four. We changed the set-up, they scored a good goal, after the second half we had more fluidity. The second goal helped, the third maybe offside, so that makes the difference. After 3-1, it’s a completely different game.

“We put another player in the position, we can make him dangerous. We scored a goal, we had a good moment, we didn’t suffer and they couldn’t make back-to-back passes, but they changed, they pushed better. The second half we adjusted and we felt a little more comfortable .

“The last two or three years we have scored a lot of goals and this year we fight, but of course the goals are important. It is good for the rhythm of the players who have not played. For four years in a row, we are in the semifinals, which is a good achievement in this competition. “

Man of the match – Riyad Mahrez

Sky Sports’ Alan smith: “Mahrez was a threat all night. He won a few free kicks with those quick feet on the edge of the penalty area. He also scored a goal courtesy of the Runarsson spill. He’s such an uncomfortable customer to face. He’s so elusive.”

Mahrez: It was a solid performance

Mahrez to Sky Sports:

“It was a solid performance. We started well and then they tied. We got lucky with the free kick and then we got the third and then it was easier for us. We can’t always dominate every game. They can score at any time, but the second. part, we marked the second and third and we made it easier.

“I was surprised by the position of [Alex Runarsson]. He was so close to the post and luckily he didn’t catch it well and that was good for us. We have been fighting but it is football. It is not always easy to score four or five goals. Today we scored four goals and it was a solid performance. “

Opta stats: Manchester City’s love affair with the Carabao Cup continues

• Since losing to Manchester United in October 2016, Manchester City have made progress in each of their last 18 League Cup qualifiers, winning the competition in each of the last three seasons.
• Manchester City are the first team to win four consecutive away games against Arsenal in all competitions since Chelsea between 1960 and 1965 (six in a row).
• Arsenal (14) have been eliminated from the quarter-finals of the League Cup more times than any other team in the history of the competition.
• The Gunners conceded at least four goals at home in a League Cup encounter for the first time since November 1998 with Arsene Wenger (0-5 against Chelsea).

Whats Next?

Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Boxing Day when they face London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, live on Sky sports; start 17.30 h.

Manchester City also plays on Boxing Day. They face Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium; start 8pm.