'Sloppy' Manchester City must learn despite reaching League Cup final

Pep Guardiola called on Manchester City to learn lessons of a 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United despite progressing to a third successive League Cup final 3-2 on aggregate. holders enjoyed vast majority of chances but could t find a way past inspired David de Gea and went behind to United's first attempt on goal 10 minutes before half-time when Nemanja Matic fired home. United's hopes of completing a miraculous comeback were extinguished when Matic was n sent-off 15 minutes from time and City held on to face Aston Villa at Wembley on March 1.

"In 180 minutes we were better than United," said Guardiola. 

"We created chances to score a lot of goals and didn't convert. We need to learn to be more clinical." 

City started like y did in racing into a 3-0 le within 38 minutes of first leg at Old Trafford as y swarmed all over visitors, who h De Gea to thank for keeping m in tie.

"I can't really comprehend how we lost this game," said City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. "I think we got sloppy.

"For me Manchester United didn't have one chance today." 

Sergio Aguero was first to threaten with a diving heer that Spaniard parried to safety before using his legs to repel Riy Mahrez's effort. Bernardo Silva flashed a shot across goal before more De Gea acrobatics denied Aguero again at his near post. United h t even mustered a shot in anger for first 35 minutes, but suddenly tie was back in balance when Matic connected sweetly from edge of box after City failed to clear a free-kick into box.

hosts did have ball in net before half-time when Raheem Sterling finished off a flowing team move, but England international was denied his first ever goal against United by an offside flag. Sterling contrived to miss ar glorious chance to kill tie off just before hour mark as he rounded De Gea but blasted over with just defenders on line to beat. Guardiola n could t believe his eyes when David Silva tried to tee up Ilkay Gundogan rar than shoot with just De Gea to beat after Harry Maguire was caught in possession.

tension among home support was eased when Matic finally paid for persistent fouling when he chopped down Ilkay Gundogan to cut short a City counter-attack. "It's hard to go here and score a goal with 11, nevermind 10," said United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "It's never a sending off for me - it's a joke."  Aguero finally beat De Gea with a deft finish only to also be flagged offside in closing sts as United salvd some pride, if t ir chances of a first trophy since 2017.

"I'm so proud of se players," ded Solskjaer. 

"y've beaten City w twice at ir place. y've given us everything."

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has t been present at recent games as animosity towards his part in club's declining fortunes on field has grown. However, Woodward was in attendance at Etih just a day after a hooded mob attacked his home with flares and graffiti.