Man City keeps winning trophies amid bigger off-field fight

Even as investigations continue into how Manchester City’s squad was funded, its ability to collect trophies is undisputed.

Particularly League Cup.

It’s only secondary cup competition but it is first major piece of silverware handed out each season in England. And for third consecutive season, it was Pep Guardiola’s side picking it up at Wembley thanks to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday secured by first-half goals from Sergio Agüero and Rodri.

“Since we won first title against Arsenal,” Guardiola reflected on 2018 League Cup final, “we have played 11 competitions and won eight ... so that’s a lot. It’s t just about one title, it’s to show every game to try to win and that’s best thing we can give for our club.”

t since Liverpool in 1980s has a hat trick of League Cups been achieved. Liverpool will prevent City achieving such a three-peat in Premier League, with top two separated by 22 points.

But City has Liverpool in its sights for a bigger prize — dethroning m as Champions League winners. It could be last opportunity before a two-season ban from European competition that is being challenged in court by City lawyers.

strength’s squad — most expensively assembled in football history — was clear against Villa at Wembley. Eight players could be changed from a lineup that beat Real Madrid 2-1 in Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday and still see off Villa, t with ease but comfortably eugh.

Agüero struck opener after 20 minutes after Rodri’s cross was headed into his path by Phil Foden.

Rodri was on target himself with a header on half-hour after Ilkay Gundogan swung in a corner that should have actually been a Villa goal kick.

A despairing Prince William was soon seen celebrating though in an executive box when a slip by John Stones allowed Anwar El Ghazi to set up Mbwana Samatta to pull one back in 41st.

It ensured City didn’t run away with this game, but struggling Birmingham side could find way of forcing game to extra time.

For fourth time in five seasons, City lifted League Cup.

“At end, we suffered a little bit,” Rodri said. “We knew we could never give up.”

PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION

Before League Cup final, focus was on race for Champions League qualification. City’s European ban adds both intrigue and uncertainty given appeal.

Fifth place will secure a place in elite competition if second-place City can’t overturn punishment for breaching of UEFA financial regulations.

Manchester United will be needing City to fail at Court of Arbitration for Sport as it is in fifth place and was held 1-1 at Everton on Sunday to sit three points behind Chelsea.

United goalkeeper David De Gea’s poor clearance allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to put Everton in front. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was n at fault for equalizer with poor positioning allowing Bru Fernandes to net. Calvert-Lewin was denied a stopp-winner winner when VAR found Gylfi Sigurdsson to be offside.

“Fair eugh, he’s in an offside position but n it takes a deflection, keeper is going or way and he’s got his legs out of way,” Calvert-Lewin said. “ keeper is never going to save ball so I’m t sure what it is.”

Wolverhampton is only behind United on goal difference after moving ahead of Tottenham with a 3-2 victory at rth London club.

Tottenham threw away lead twice. Matt Doherty canceled out Steven Bergwijn’s opener and Diogo Jota restored parity after Serge Aurier restored Tottenham’s lead. Raul Jimenez grabbed winner.

“y had correct mentality,” Tottenham manr Jose Mourinho said, “and I think we were punished.”

Wolves is coping well with demands of a season that started in July with Europa League qualifying rounds.

“I was pleased with way we finished game,” Wolves manr Nu Espirito Santo said. “ levels of energy were re, so good performance of boys.”