The two teams set to play in this season’s Capital One Cup final have been confirmed as Manchester City and Sunderland, who both came through their semi-final ties this week; however, their path through the semi-final ties were very different. Now though, the two will meet in a one-off game in March to decide the winner of this year’s competition.
Manchester City have enjoyed an easy route through to the final, with most games being played at The Etihad and all being won easily enough. Firstly, they beat Wigan Athletic 5-0 in Manchester to get the show on the road; Stevan Jovetić scored his first two goals for the club. Next up, they face a trip to Newcastle, where they emerged triumphant after extra-time, thanks to goals from Negredo and Džeko. Next up was a visit to Leicester City, and they wasted no time in coming away with a 3-1 win to seal a semi-final spot.
In the final four, The Blues were drawn to face West Ham United, with the first leg being in Manchester. A hat-trick from Spanish striker Álvaro Negredo as well as a brace from Džeko and another from Yaya Touré set The Citizens on their way with a 6-0 win in the first leg. They went to Upton Park a fortnight later, where Negredo scored another two and Agüero also netted to send the Manchester side through with a record 9-0 aggregate victory.
Sunderland’s route to the final was trickier by comparison. First up was a visit from MK Dons. After going 2-0 down, four goals in the final 12 minutes sealed the comeback and progression to the next round. Peterborough United were then the visitors, however another win for The Black Cats was on the table. A goal each from Roberge and Giaccherini sent Sunderland through to a tie with Southampton. In Saints’ visit to the Stadium of Light, Seb Larsson was on target in the final minutes to get a 2-1 victory for his side, and earn a home tie with Chelsea. After going behind to The Blues, Fabio Borini and then Ki Sung-Yeung were able to turn around the game after extra-time, and set up a semi-final tie with Manchester United.
In the first leg, at home, Sunderland managed to get a dream start by winning 2-1. This was after a Ryan Giggs own goal opened the scoring, prior to Nemanja Vidić’s equaliser. Then, Fabio Borini stepped up to net a penalty to give the hosts a lead to take to Old Trafford. Much of this was repeated in Manchester. Jonny Evans gave United the lead, before Phil Bardsley scored late on in extra-time to seemingly send United out. However, Adnan Januzaj was on hand to set up a goal for Javier Hernández to send the tie to penalties. Vito Mannone was then the hero in a shoot-out in which just 3 of 10 penalties were scored.
These two paths have set up a date at Wembley on March 2nd, when two sets of fans will flood south for the final. Sunderland’s game at home to West Bromwich Albion will be postponed, as will the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. The only time these two sides have met this season, it resulted in a 1-0 win for The Black Cats.
