Manchester City reached the League Cup final for fourth consecutive season as they inflicted more semi-final pain on Manchester United with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
John Stones and Fernandinho were the unlikely goalscorers for Pep Guardiola’s men, who 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 Solskjaer goes on as they lost a fourth semis in the past two seasons.
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 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 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 and were inches away from the opener thanks to a stunning move that started deep inside their own half and ended with 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.
Stone’s poor form has seen him fall down the pecking order in recent seasons, but City have now kept nine clean sheets in the 11 games Stones has started this season as he has formed a formidable partnership with Ruben Dias.
City’s issues this season have been at the other end and they again failed to make the most of their chances in the second half.
Cancelo’s piledriver flew just over before Dean Henderson made fine saves to deny Sterling and Riyad Mahrez.
However, Henderson 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.