Manchester City ride their luck but they march on as Everton crash out

Manchester City controversially came from behind on the night to overturn a first-leg deficit and reach the Capital One Cup final with a 4-3 aggregate win over Everton.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jan 2016, 22:23 BST
Updated 27th Jan 2016, 22:34 BST
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates with his team-mates after the Capital One Cup, semi finalManchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates with his team-mates after the Capital One Cup, semi final
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates with his team-mates after the Capital One Cup, semi final

An early Ross Barkley goal at the Etihad Stadium put Everton in sight of a Wembley date with rivals Liverpool but City replied through Fernandinho.

Controversy then erupted as Raheem Sterling then appeared to take the ball out of play before teeing up substitute Kevin De Bruyne to level the tie, but Sergio Aguero completed City’s fightback.

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The visitors took the lead after 18 minutes. As Aguero appealed for a foul after a tumbling under a Ramiro Funes Mori challenge, Everton quickly surged forward and fed the dangerous Barkley.

City had begun with Yaya Toure playing deep at the base of a midfield diamond, but the Ivorian was caught out of position as Barkley raced into space. Nicolas Otamendi was also outpaced as Barkley reached the edge of the area and fired a low shot past Willy Caballero, the City goalkeeping choice in cup football.

Trailing 3-1 on aggregate, City needed to respond and did so quickly. They looked to supply Aguero at every opportunity and David Silva found him with a clever flick. The Argentinian’s long-range shot was blocked but Fernandinho followed up and fired home via a deflection off Leighton Baines.

Everton began to look like a team clinging on as Aguero almost turned in a cross from Sterling and the latter then had a shot blocked.

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The goal City’s play warranted, and levelled the tie, came after 70 minutes - but with a huge slice of controversy.

Sterling appeared to do well as he reached the byline to cross for substitute De Bruyne to rifle home - but the ball had gone out of play before it was pulled back by the England forward. None of the officials spotted it and Everton were left to rue their luck.

After being controversially denied a penalty in the first leg - while Sterling himself had a strong shout for a spot-kick turned down in the league match between the clubs a fortnight ago - City took full advantage.

Six minutes later Aguero put City ahead on aggregate with a superb glancing header.The tension was evident in the closing minutes as players from both sides flew into tackles but City held on.

Related topics:EvertonManchester CityRaheem Sterling