The stage was set for a fascinating contest between two of the best sides over the whole tournament. Chelsea and Manchester City went head to head for the second in just under two weeks. Chelsea fans still have fond memories of that visit where they were thrashed 6-0 by the blues. And it turned out that Sarri has done their homework coming into this match. He did pick a slightly different eleven from that game. He went with a defensive lineup and the move almost paid off superbly.
The game wasn't a classic by any means but was rather pleasing for a Chelsea fan. They showed what they are made up of. They had answers to each and every attack from City. They were brilliant on counters. Quickly releasing Hazard every now and then. Both the sides had one key moment in the game which they failed to take. Kante missed out on an opportunity created through a cutback by Hazard. While City had one in the back of the net before the goal was not allowed for offside. And highlights prove that Kun Aguero moved way too early. With neither of the sides being able to break the deadlock in 90 minutes plus added time, the game went into penalties. Jorginho and David Luiz failed to convert the spot-kicks before Sterling put the ball in the back of the net to win it for them.
With City claiming the first piece of silverware of the season, here are four talking points from the game:
Kepa defies Sarri: The final will also be long remembered because of one particular incident when a player defied a decision made by his coach to substitute him. Kepa Arrizabalaga was signed from Spain to fill in the boots of the departing Thibaut Courtois in the summer itself. He came in for a hefty sum of £71.3 million. In the injury time when the player was receiving treatment, Maurizio Sarri decided to replace Kepa with Willy Caballero. His name was announced and his number was displayed on the screen. But Sarri was left livid to see his player refusing to get off the pitch. In the end, Chelsea lost the final and this became a big talking point after the game. Has Sarri lost the dressing room is the big question which stands?
The quadruple dream is still on: Although the game didn't go as Pep may have imagined. But a win is a win no matter how it comes. And the Citizens have claimed the first piece of silverware this season. They are marching towards the final line in the other three tournaments as well. It will not come easy though. They are just one point behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League. The blues have also entered the last eight of the FA Cup. And only Manchester United is the other top team remaining in the draw. But the Champions League will be the most difficult hurdle to cross for City.
The change in system almost paid off for Chelsea: Maurizio Sarri isn't as stubborn as you must have thought. There was no Kovacic-Barkley swap. In fact, Sarri put forward a defensive lineup for this game. Emerson was a surprise addition to the team. Whereas the team didn’t have any out-and-out striker. Ross Barkley played in the midfield with Jorginho and Kante. The players looked a different skin from their recent encounter at the Etihad Stadium. Everyone was giving their 100% on the pitch and they took the game back to Manchester City with high pressing. And they were looking to quickly release Hazard on the break. This system almost worked on one or two situations.
Late injury scare for Manchester City: Although we are accustomed to seeing Manchester City dominating the proceedings for the majority of their matches, they suffer without their talismanic midfielder Fernandinho. And the game oversaw injuries to both Fernandinho and Laporte. They had a muscle problem. With John Stones already being injured before this game, the backline can also be a problem for City. The depth in their squad will again be tested in the coming weeks. Can they replace Fernandinho this time around?
Although the game ended in a defeat for Chelsea, there were plenty of positives for the blues!
