Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City Celebrates with the Carabao Cup Trophy following their side's victory in the Carabao Cup Final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 25, 2021 in London, England.
Manchester City won the League Cup for a record-equalling fourth time in succession with a deserved victory over a disappointing Tottenham Hotspur side at Wembley.
City defender Aymeric Laporte, arguably fortunate to be on the pitch after escaping a yellow card in the first half before being cautioned after the break, rose above Spurs substitute Moussa Sissoko to head home Kevin de Bruyne's free-kick eight minutes from time.
The best of the action from another wonderful day at Wembley! 🏆
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 25, 2021
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/Q2I5vqlRdF
It was appropriate reward for City creating a host of chances and dominating Spurs, who did not enjoy any sort of positive reaction from sacking manager Jose Mourinho on Monday and replacing him with caretaker Ryan Mason.
The final was played in front of 8,000 supporters, including 2,000 from each club - and it was a delight to hear noise inside Wembley's vast arena once more.
City's victory equalled Liverpool's achievement in the early 1980s of winning the competition four years in a row, as well as matching the Reds' overall tally of eight triumphs, and manager Pep Guardiola said his players are motivated by such milestones.
"That is what these players give for the future generations of this club. It is not winning [just] one title," Guardiola told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"This team in the last decade was the team in England - since Roberto Mancini won the Premier League, this team wins a lot of times in England.
"It's nice, four Carabao Cups in a row, it means consistency in the team to be there. We beat Arsenal and Manchester United on the way so we can say we deserved to win this competition.
"The way we played was fantastic and it's nice when you win a title. The most impressive thing is in the last 33 games we won 30."