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Missed penalties from Leicester City substitutes Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez sent a scratch Manchester City side through to the Carabao Cup semifinals after a shootout at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.
Pep Guardiola rang the changes for the record-breaking Premier League leaders, bringing in a number of teenagers. Everything seemed to be going well with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Bernardo Silva’s first-half goal, but a stoppage-time penalty from Vardy pegged them back. The Citizens eventually made it through in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Here are 5 talking points from a topsy-turvy night:
#5 The referee had a poor game
It was not the first time Bobby Madley has been shrouded in controversy, but he cost Manchester City a win in normal time by awarding Leicester an extremely soft penalty. Kyle Walker, who came on for the visitors, was adjudged to have fouled Damarai Gray, another substitute, in the 97th of eight second-half stoppage time minutes.
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There was very little in it, if anything, and it almost undid a night’s work for City.
But Madley had got a number of other decisions wrong, big and small. Leicester could have had a penalty in extra time, with more of a reason to give it than the one they got on first viewing, but he waved it away.
Walker was later booked for diving, a good move by Madley. Booking Kelechi Iheanacho for a first-half foul on Claudio Bravo when he barely caught the goalkeeper when chasing Danilo’s short backpass showed he wasn’t always on his mark.
#4 Different names, same Manchester City
Upon his arrival in the Premier League last season, Pep Guardiola couldn’t fathom why there were two active cup competitions in English football. Obviously, well aware of the FA Cup’s history and pedigree, it soon became apparent that the former Barcelona boss would use the Carabao Cup as an opportunity to give some youngsters a chance to sink or swim.
The fact that his Barça side had an identity running through it was what made it so special. Of course, the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi were key in the big games, but everyone in the entire squad knew their role when called upon.
Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz, Oluwatosin Adarabioyo and Alexander Zinchenko rarely come close to donning the sky blue shirt in the Premier League, but judging by their respective performances on Tuesday night, it won’t be long until they do.
Leicester utilised their physicality to gain a foothold in the game early on, but they were no match for the blend of power and technique when the likes of Yaya Toure, Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz and Ilkay Gundogan got on the ball.
City were as quick, incisive and connected as ever, winning the ball from pressing high with and counter-attacking in devastating fashion. Much of that was thanks to Zinchenko pushing into midfield from fullback, and Foden drifting across the pitch with such grace for a 17-year-old. Bernardo Silva stepped up, too, and was rightly named the man of the match.
#3 Leicester should have started Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy
If anyone is in the perfect position to take the Carabao Cup seriously, it is Leicester. The Foxes’ great form in the Premier League since Claude Puel’s arrival has eased any fears of a relegation battle and they are now secure in mid-table; even the defeat to Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium couldn’t move them from the eighth position.
But Puel’s team selection puzzled, particularly in attack. Giving Iheanacho a start against his former club was understandable, and the Nigeria international didn’t do too badly. Without Vardy, though, there wasn’t enough penetration of City’s high defensive line, giving centre backs Adarabioyo and Eliaquim Mangala an easier ride than they needed.
Ben Chilwell and Marc Albrighton were able to get crosses in, but the second half introductions of Vardy and Mahrez, along with Damarai Gray, the three chief creators under Puel, woke the home side up.
Suddenly, Zinchenko wasn’t able to get into midfield to outnumber Leicester and the fact that he was playing out of position showed against Mahrez. Vardy broke through the defence and linked up with his partner in crime and created panic for the visitors at the back.
The penalty may have been harsh, but Vardy, Mahrez, and the man fouled, Gray, had taken Leicester to the next level as they have done for weeks.
#2 Claudio Bravo outshone the Leicester stars
In the end, at least. So much was made of Bravo’s poor performances last season, and it says a lot that Ederson has come in and adjusted to English football with ease. The Chilean, who has stepped in during this competition, was solid all night without having too much do until Vardy and Mahrez came on.
He had saved two penalties against Wolves in the previous round, and he did so again. Very few people expected the Foxes’ main men to fail, though.
Having already scored from the spot, Vardy had a dilemma. Should he change his tactic? Would Bravo read him? The trademark power just wasn’t there in the shootout, making it easy for Bravo to divert the strike onto the outside of the post.
Mahrez lacked conviction with his, and the pressure told. The irony was cruel, given how it was they who swung the momentum their way, but Bravo deserved credit.
#1 Gabriel Jesus is intelligent beyond his age
On the face of it, Gabriel Jesus may have appeared quiet. In fact, the 20-year-old Brazilian, one of the more experienced players on the park for the visitors, was one of the best on the pitch.
It was his cleverness in the build-up that led to Bernardo Silva’s first-half goal; while Gündogan shuffled forward having robbed Iheanacho, Jesus cleared his path by running across the Leicester back line, allowing him to slot the ball through to Silva.
He chased everything, doing exactly what Vardy does for Leicester. High pressure is the most basic element of Guardiola’s philosophy, and it is made much easier by a player who works as hard as Jesus.
Although he didn’t showcase his sublime finishing ability, the smartest element of his game, it was very much an all-round showcase of his talents under the radar before he dispatched his penalty in the shootout with confidence.
