Man City Wins Capital One As Willy Caballero Saves Three Penalties

Willy Caballero became the hero for Manchester City as the second choice goalkeeper saved three penalties to help his team claim the Capital One Cup with a 3-1 shoot-out victory over Liverpool following a 1-1 draw at Wembley as he denied Lucas Leiva, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana before Yaya Toure wrap up the win with his spot kick.

Fernandinho gave City the lead in the 49th minute after his shot from an angle inside the area found its way under Simon Mignolet, who will feel he should have done better. Former Liverpool man Raheem Sterling had two clear opportunities to double City's lead, but on both occasions struck just wide in space in the penalty area. Liverpool equalised through Coutinho in the 83rd minute, converting in the penalty area after Lallana had hit the post and forcing the game into extra-time and then penalties.

Jurgen Klopp kept faith with the same XI that beat Augsburg 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, while Pellegrini made just one change, replacing Joe Hart with cup goalkeeper Caballero. After an even opening quarter lacking in clear-cut opportunities, the first big chance fell to 2014 winners City in the 24th minute. City went ahead just four minutes after the restart through Fernandinho, the Brazilian's shot from an acute angle 15 yards out to the right creeping into the bottom left corner under Mignolet. Liverpool were nearly level just moments later after some fine interplay in the final third between Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson, but James Milner could only slice the ball wide from six yards as Caballero came rushing out.

Liverpool equalised with their first shot on target through Coutinho, who guided the ball into the net from 12 yards after substitute Lallana had hit the woodwork at the far post. City nearly regained their lead three minutes later through Fernando, but on this occasion Mignolet was equal to the effort, beating the ball clear after the Brazilian had poked the ball goalwards from six yards.

The game eventually went to penalties, with Can converting Liverpool's first with a deft, Panenka spot-kick. Fernandinho then struck his effort from 12 yards against the left-hand post, before Caballero superbly saved to his left from Lucas. Jesus Navas made it 1-1, Coutinho saw his penalty saved again by Caballero, and Aguero finally squeezed the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-1 to City. Caballero was the hero again, saving superbly to his right from Lallana, and Toure won the shoot-out for City by slotting into the bottom left corner past Mignolet.

The win gives Manuel Pellegrini his third major trophy in as many seasons at City, three months before he is replaced by Pep Guardiola.