MX23RW : Sunday, December 23 15:36:34

Guardiola heaps praise on keeper Muric as City book Carabao Cup semi final spot

Guardiola heaps praise on keeper Muric as City book Carabao Cup semi final spot
© Reuters
Manchester City reached the last four as they look to defend the Carabao Cup.

Pep Guardiola praised rookie goalkeeper Arijanet Muric after holders Manchester City reached the Carabao Cup semi finals.

They beat Leicester 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.

City remain in the hunt for a quadruple this season as Oleksandr Zinchenko scored the decisive spot kick after Muric saved from James Maddison and Caglar Soyuncu.

Christian Fuchs missed for Leicester and Raheem Sterling was embarrassed after he chipped his spot-kick over, although Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan scored for City.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring in the first half only for Marc Albrighton's 73rd-minute leveller to send it to penalties, for a repeat of last season's quarter final between the sides.

Guardiola said: "We got to the final last season and won so we played to win the game. It was quite similar to last season. The end was the same and last season Claudio (Bravo) was exceptional and this year it was Arijanet.

"I don't know how the legs will be sustained for the rest of the season but it's
better to be in the semi final than to be out.

"Aro is so big, his reaction is so quick and he took the right decisions. It's good experience for him. He is a young guy, he is so shy, it's a nice moment. He deserve the big applause."

Leicester bowed out after Claude Puel's gambled on leaving out Jamie Vardy.

Vardy was rested after returning from a groin injury at the weekend but Puel had no regrets omitting the striker.

"It was important to keep him fresh and be careful about another injury," he said.

"If we look at the starting players it's all experienced players and talented players. I'm happy with their performance, it was a complete game.

"It's important because we have a good squad and it's important when we play games every three games I want my team to play with the right intensity.

"We cannot have a debate about the penalties. My players took the responsibility. Remember the example of last season when we also lost on penalties. Who missed the penalties then? It was (Riyad) Mahrez and Vardy."


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Pep Guardiola gesticulates during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Manchester City on December 8, 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1815303973248
2Manchester CityMan City18142250133744
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs17130431161539
4Chelsea18114335152037
5Arsenal18114340241637
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd188553430429
7Watford188372525027
8Bournemouth188282728-126
9Leicester CityLeicester187472221125
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves187471921-225
11Everton176652422224
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham187382527-224
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186392026-621
14Crystal Palace1853101725-818
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle184591422-817
16Southampton183691933-1415
17Cardiff CityCardiff1842121838-2014
18Burnley1833121636-2012
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1824121131-2010
20Fulham1824121642-2610

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