Manchester City retained the Carabao Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
Raheem Sterling blasted home the winning penalty after Kepa Arrizabalaga deliberately defied Maurizio Sarri at the end of extra time.
After receiving medical attention after making a save, the Italian was ready to bring on Willy Caballero for his record signing.
However, the keeper refused to come off the pitch and sparked furious scenes from Sarri on the bench.
The Blues were fantastic on the day and deserved to get something from the encounter.
But Kepa’s deliberate betrayal of his manager soured the evening somewhat, as Chelsea were forced to watch Pep Guardiola lift yet another trophy as City continue their hunt for the fabled Quadruple.
It was a quiet opening 20 minutes at Wembley as neither side created any chances.
City enjoyed the territorial dominance but lacked their usual zip in the final third.
It was largely an exercise in attack versus defence as City continued to dominate the play but they came up against an organised Chelsea side, far different to the one that was hammered 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium a couple of weeks ago.
Sergio Aguero blazed an effort over from 15 yards but neither side mustered a shot on target in a goalless first half.
Aguero thought he had put City ahead 10 minutes after the restart as he latched onto a loose ball and slotted home but he was flagged offside, with VAR ruling it was marginally the correct decision.
There was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of 90 minutes as it went to extra-time.
Chelsea improved as the second half went on while City lacked the creativity after Aguero’s goal was disallowed.
In the closing moments of extra time, Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga appeared to refuse to be substituted as Maurizio Sarri wanted to bring on Willy Caballero for the Spaniard who was struggling with cramp.
Raheem Sterling slammed in the winning penalty off the underside of the bar as Manchester City retained the Carabao Cup.
City were handed the advantage in the shootout as Jorginho had the first kick saved by Ederson. But they clawed their way back in as Arrizabalaga saved Leroy Sane’s penalty, only for David Luiz to put City on the brink by missing his spot-kick.
Eden Hazard kept his nerve, but Sterling slammed home his spot kick to keep the trophy at the Etihad.
STAR MAN – N’Golo Kante
Bernardo Silva had a terrific game for City, full of enterprise. However, World Cup N’Golo Kante delivered the sort of performance which will remind his doubters why he is one of the best in the world.
Aggressive in the press and showing the sort of drive Sarri has demanded of him all season, Kante was relentless and drove Chelsea forward at every occasion.
It was no surprise to see Manchester City struggle considering Kante had David Silva’s number all afternoon. The France international halted City on numerous occasions.
The 27-year-old did not deserve to be on the losing side and, with Fernandinho reaching the end of his career, Kante would not be human if he did not cast an envious glance over at the Manchester City celebrations.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
It could only be one moment, Kepa’s refusal to leave the pitch before the end of the 120 minutes.
One can only feel for Maurizio Sarri, who prepared Caballero to get on the pitch after seeing Kepa go down with injury.
With uncertainty surrounding his future after a run of poor results, it would be hard to begrudge Sarri if he decided to walk away after such an embarrassing moment was played out in such a high-pressure situation.