Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola thankful for no injuries during Carabao Cup semi-final despite ‘dangerous’ Burton Albion pitch

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola thankful for no injuries during Carabao Cup semi-final despite ‘dangerous’ Burton Albion pitch
Pep Guardiola was relieved to see his Manchester City side pick up no injuries despite a “dangerous” pitch in their Carabao Cup semi-final tie at the Pirelli Stadium.City completed formalities to reach the final thanks to Sergio Aguero’s goal giving them a 1-0 win on the night to wrap up a 10-0 aggregate success.3

Aguero scored the winning goal on the night

Guardiola felt victory marked another special achievement for City in their continuing development but he was equally pleased to come through unscathed on a freezing night.Burton had kept the pitch covered until around two hours before kick-off to protect from frost with temperatures hovering around zero degrees.City manager Guardiola said: “The game was very dangerous because the pitch was slippery.“But, no injuries – that is so important – and we enjoy the moment because we are in a final.3

Guardiola is gunning for a second straight Carabao Cup title

“We know in Wembley, as we lived last season, it’s quite special. It’s nice to play a final in Wembley.”Aguero was among a handful of senior players to feature along with the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Kevin De Bruyne and Fabian Delph. Some of the clubs most promising youngsters also played, including Phil Foden, Eric Garcia, Philippe Sandler and Ian Carlo Poveda.City will now have the chance to retain the first of the two trophies they won last season when they face Chelsea or Tottenham in next month’s final.Guardiola said: “Protect the habit – the habit of getting into the final. “I know it’s a competition, with all respect, that when you win and you are in the final you are so happy but when you’re out you’re not sad. It’s completely different in other competitions.“But once we are there, we take every game seriously and we are in the final. We won already one title this season, the Community Shield. We are in the final and we are of course going to try to win it.”Burton boss Nigel Clough said he felt “a lot” of pride in his side’s performance.Clough said: “To be out of the tie after the first leg and still make it uncomfortable for them – they didn’t have it all their own way.3

Clough is proud of his side’s cup run

“For a League One team to cause them as many problems as Premier League teams do – I know they had some young players playing but they still had enough big hitters out there.“We got about them a bit and I’m just a bit disappointed we didn’t get the goal we could have had.“It’s been a brilliant experience for our players to be on the same pitch as some of them and for our supporters to see them here.”Clough, who briefly brought his dog into his post-match press conference, felt his side played the conditions well.He said: “We got our foot in and were physical without being reckless and silly and hurting people.”“It did get a bit crispy towards the end. I think the chairman checked it was 65 minutes before refunds!“We kept the covers on as late as possible and that protected the pitch. I think they were wondering when we were going to turn the undersoil heating on!”

---

Alvaro Morata looks set to clinch a move away from Stamford Bridge when he returns to Spain to join Atletico Madrid on an 18-month loan deal from Chelsea. The arrival of Gonzalo Higuain has meant that the Blues are happy to offload their 26-year-old striker despite only signing him a year and a half ago for a huge £60million fee.
Alvaro Morata 'to have Atletico Madrid medical on Sunday

---

Anderlecht reportedly join West Bromwich Albion in the race to try to sign defender Thomas Vermaelen from Barcelona.
Southampton Transfer Talk - Sports Mole

---

It was a "special night" for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice last night (Friday) as he made his England debut at Wembley. The 20-year-old came off the bench to make his bow for the Three Lions in the 5-0 win against Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 qualifier, having recently switched his international allegiance from Republic of Ireland.
England newbie Declan Rice considered West Ham loan exit in

---

The ex-midfielder Steve Sidwell, who started his career at Arsenal, thinks that there are real problems at the club, despite that incredible 22-game unbeaten run at the beginning of the season. "I've watched Arsenal a lot this year and I think that run papered over a lot of cracks in their performances." Sidwell said in Goal. "It hasn

---

Seán Cox surrounded by family and friends at home after Liverpool win the Champions League. club beat Spurs 2-0 in the final. Sean was surrounded by his family and friends, including his wife
Sean Cox congratulates European champions Liverpool after

---

Man Utd news: Kanchelskis delivers title and top four prediction - It's bad for Liverpool MANCHESTER UNITED will finish in the top four this season, former Red Devils ace Andrei Kanchelskis reckons.
Ex-Red Devil Kanchelskis: Ole's taken 4 months 'to sort out

---

According to reports this afternoon, West Ham United have agreed a fee with Chelsea and Inter Milan target Keita Baldé Diao, a fee believed to be in the region of €27.5 million, with a bonus making the deal set to rise to €32 million.
Inter Milan pull plug on permanent deal for West Ham target

---

Liverpool legend John Barnes 'not happy' with 'negative' and 'edgy' fans as pressure ramps up on title-chasing Reds Wednesday, 20 February 2019 Liverpool legend John Barnes has told 'negative' and 'edgy' fans to calm down as the Reds enter a crucial stage of their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
Five things Chelsea must do to turn things around this season

---

Cardiff Met Uni FC hero dreaming of Manchester United tie as student team makes Europa League preliminary round. Cardiff Met Uni FC, which is a team made up of current and former students,
Cardiff Met Uni FC hero dreaming of Manchester United tie as

---

Roy Keane's assessment of Fred's performance against Man City on Wednesday night was as damning as it can get. The Manchester United legend knows everything you'd ever want to about playing in a central midfield role, and his damning indictment will only add to the noise which surrounds the Brazil international.
Man Utd 0-2 Man City: 'That's everything United - goal.com

---

Nabil Fekir transfer latest: Liverpool 'given deadline by Lyon' to sign World Cup winning midfielder. The Anfield club have long had the Frenchman at the top of their summer transfer wish list
Liverpool 'reignite interest in Lyon star Nabil Fekir

---