Laporte the hero as Man City sink Tottenham to cap special Carabao Cup quartet

Aymeric Laporte Man City v Tottenham April 2021

Manchester City won the Carabao Cup for a fourth season in a row after Aymeric Laporte’s powerful header sunk Tottenham late on in a 1-0 triumph.

City, who were appearing in their sixth final in eight years, dominated proceedings at Wembley in front of 8,000 returning fans.

They dominated proceedings, making 17 goal attempts to Spurs’ two. However, their finishing lacked throughout as Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris also played well.

But despite Spurs getting hope of snatching a triumph late on, there was nothing Lloris could do to stop Laporte’s powering header.

As such, City’s illustrious history in the League Cup continued, while Spurs trophy drought since 2008 goes on.

The fans – as expected – made an immediate difference as they took part in a UK-government led pilot test for mass gatherings after the coronavirus lockdown.

Indeed, the roar after the ball went out for a Tottenham corner is one of several moments which have been sorely missed without the supporters.

Down below, City enjoyed the stronger second half, with Spurs left-back Sergio Reguilon struggling against the fit-to-start Kevin de Bruyne.

Harry Kane also passed a late fitness test, but he and Ryan Mason’s team struggled to match City‘s intensity in the first half.

Phil Foden had the best chance of the first period, when he hit the post after some last-ditch defending from Spurs.

Sergio Reguilon, Phil Foden Man City v Tottenham April 2021

Riyad Mahrez then came alive with his left foot. He cut inside Reguilon and flashed a shot wide from a tight angle, before going close with a longer-range effort.

City continued their dominance into the final stages of the first half, with Joao Cancelo curling a shot wide.

However, Tottenham were fast out of the blocks in the second half. Giovani Lo Celso’s curling shot was goal-bound and the bounce just before Zack Steffen’s save made it better.

Mason’s side enjoyed more good moments early in the second half; Kane broke forward with a trademark counter-attack, but the final ball from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Reguilon failed.

City hit back with winner

Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte, Ferran Torres Man City v Tottenham April 2021

But City hit back with De Bruyne at the heart of everything for Pep Guardiola‘s side. His teasing cross forced Lloris to save Fernandinho’s header.

The Spurs stopper was in action again to deny Mahrez, who had cut inside again.

However, Lloris could do nothing to stop Aymeric Laporte’s winner. The French centre-back had a free run at De Bruyne’s free-kick, rising highest to head the ball powerfully into the right-hand corner.

City’s record in cup finals is imperious and they held on for another trophy win in Guardiola’s trophy-laden reign.

Indeed, they could have made it 2-0, but Mahrez’s effort was ruled out for offside.