Manchester City have won a fourth straight Carabao Cup final, beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Wembley.
The Citizens have their first trophy of the season, courtesy of an Aymeric Laporte second-half header in the capital.
In truth, it was a comfortable evening’s work for City, with Spurs offering very little under Ryan Mason, who was taking only his second first-team match as manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Monday.
City created an abundance of chances in the game but just had difficulty making the breakthrough in the final third.
For all the pretty football, ultimately it was centre-half Laporte who broke the deadlock, rising highest from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick to nod home, much to the euphoria of the 2000 Manchester City fans present at Wembley.
There were plenty of fine individual performances in sky blue, with Riyad Mahrez the official man of the match.
But City fans were quick to heap praise on captain Fernandinho, who once again produced a brilliant performance in the middle of the park.
The 35-year-old – who cost the club £30 million back in 2013 (BBC Sport) – was everywhere, and continues to prompt fans to beg that the Brazilian plays another season.
Here’s what some people have said about the South American enforcer:
What a player @fernandinho has been for MCFC. One of the very best midfielders we’ve seen in the prem . Gonna be another sad day when he moves on #Legend #Bluemoon 💙
— ADB (@Addy_Bell17) April 25, 2021
Keep Fernandinho at our club at any cost. Wether it be playing or coaching. What a top guy 💙
— ⚜️Man City Collect⚜️ (@mancitycollect) April 25, 2021
Fernandinho absolutely heroic for this club. Gritty, intelligent, peps succession built around him. Genius of a footballer
— Conor Denning (@conordenning14) April 25, 2021
And Fernandinho, obviously, ridiculous. The performances he puts in, for his age, are insane. Absolutely love him and can’t wait to see him lift the PL trophy – no one will deserve it as much as him.
— Kev (@cmjh__) April 25, 2021
FERNANDINHO.
World class, @fernandinho! 💙 pic.twitter.com/0vHWLUbfc6
— City Chief (@City_Chief) April 25, 2021
@fernandinho is so underrated by everyone but City fans. Absolutely love the man, what a hero he is for this club. Never leave 💙
— Emily (@ErHes1997) April 25, 2021
