- Manchester defeated Leicester city to progress to the semi final of the Carabao cup
- City got the better of a resilient Leicester side after penalty shootout
- Pep Guardiola ordered his boys to celebrate despite recent warning by Mourinho on their mode of early celebrations
Pep Guardiola savoured one of Manchester City's most satisfying wins of the season as he pnce again ordered his players to celebrate again ignoring the advice of Jose Mourinho.
The unbeaten Premier League leaders have been steamrolling opponents this season that currently see them go eleven points clear on the top of the league.
City players celebrate after shotout victory
However, in the Carabao cup quater final clash against Leicester, Guardiola's side with nine changes, needed a tense penalty-shootout to progress to the last four of the competition.
It was definitely not as impressive as their recent derby win at Manchester United which sparked complaints from Jose Mourinho about the visitors' celebrations.
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They were made to sweat after Jamie Vardy's injury-time penalty from a disputed spot-kick took the tie to extra-time by cancelling out Berhando Silva's opener.
City share their joy with fans after the dramatic win (Image: Leicester City FC)
But City still ended up progressing as Vardy hit the post with a spot-kick in the shoot-out and Riyad Mahrez was denied by keeper Claudio Bravo.
Guardiola while reaction to the outcome of the match said: “I think it is a good sign for the club and that is why I am so happy.
“What is important is how we react, so what if it is a penalty or not a penalty?
“It was the last minute so it was tough, especially with a lot of young players.
“Big teams you have to handle the bad moments and have to find situations.
“I said in the locker room to celebrate again.
Leroy Sane, who did not even play, leads the celebrations (Image: Getty Images Europe)
“You have to wait to win the title and even in the position we are in you don't know if we are able to win the Premier League.
“But in the process in the moment you have to celebrate always. We will enjoy it.”
Leicester boss Claude Puel surprisingly left his key men on the bench too with seven changes of his own.
The introduction of both Vardy and Mahrez off the bench in the 56th minute changed the contest and sparked the hosts into life.
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Leicester, buoyed by fans' positive reaction, went more direct with Demarai Gray a big threat too once he came on.
Gray even beat City sub Kyle Walker in a race into the box in stoppage time.
He then went sprawling under a disputed challenge from Walker and referee Bobby Madley infuriated the visitors by pointing to the spot.
Vardy stepped up to keep his nerve to thump in his eighth of the season low into the bottom corner with his right-foot.
It left unhappy Guardiola mocking Gray for diving as he mimicked a tumble at the end of 90 minutes.
But the Spaniard was smiling by the end as Gundogan, Yaya Toure, Lukas Nmecha, Gabriel Jesus, all scored from the spot.
Guardiola even laughed off a pitch invader slipping over trying to get close to him to hurl abuse before being escorted off 10 minutes from the end of normal time.
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The Spaniard added: “He wanted my shirt. Next time he has to change his shoes. I felt safe.”
Foxes boss Puel, whose side lost 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace previously, insisted: “I don't regret the changes.
“We were unlucky. We have had most chances. It was important to give a good response after the last league game. I like our positive outlook."
NAIJ.com previously reported that Premier League leaders Manchester City have qualified for the semi final of the 2017/18 EFL Cup after beating former Premier League champions Leicester City 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday night.
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Source: Sports.naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Wednesday, 20 December 2017