Manchester City 3-1 Everton (4-3 agg): Aguero sets up Wembley return

Posted Thursday, January 28, 2016 by Goal.com

The Argentine netted a late third for Manuel Pellegrini's team to secure their progression to the final, where they will face Liverpool, despite Ross Barkley's early opening goal

Sergio Aguero booked Manchester City's place in the League Cup final with a decisive late goal in their 3-1 victory over Everton.

Ross Barkley gave the Toffees a 3-1 aggregate lead after 18 minutes at the Etihad Stadium but Fernandinho's deflected effort put City back on track.

Kevin De Bruyne netted a second - though the ball appeared to have gone out for a goal kick in the build-up - before Aguero headed home the Belgian's cross to make it 4-3 on aggregate and set up a clash at Wembley against Liverpool on February 28.

The evening ended on a sour note for Manuel Pellegrini, however, when De Bruyne was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

City began on the front foot as they looked for an early leveller in the tie, though one surging run by Deulofeu gave the hosts a warning of Everton's counter-attacking threat.

Roberto Martinez's side netted the opening goal through a similar break when Barkley turned away from Nicolas Otamendi's challenge, drove towards the edge of the box and rifled a low shot into Willy Caballero's bottom-right corner.

City did not have long to wait before finding an equaliser, however. Fernandinho struck a blocked shot that took a big deflection off Leighton Baines and beat Joel Robles, with the visitors were aggrieved that Raheem Sterling was not flagged for offside as he dodged the strike.

Aguero came within inches of grabbing a second when he rattled the far post with a fierce effort from the edge of the area, and Robles reacted well to keep out Silva's rebound after Gareth Barry had failed to clear.

Deulofeu then spurned a glorious chance to restore Everton's two-goal cushion just after the break by shooting tamely at Caballero from inside the area.

Aguero sliced a Jesus Navas cross wide before City hit the woodwork again - this time, Silva's header across goal came back off the inside of the post and Yaya Toure somehow failed to connect with the rebound inside the six-yard box.

Pellegrini brought on De Bruyne for Toure in a bid to liven up City's attack and the Belgium international drew his side level on aggregate within four minutes of his introduction, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Sterling raced past John Stones and, though the ball had clearly crossed the goal line before he cut back for De Bruyne to slot home, referee Martin Atkinson allowed the goal to stand.

The Etihad Stadium was buoyant and the home fans were given further cause to celebrate on 76 minutes when De Bruyne's cross from the right was glanced home superbly by Aguero.

Aguero then sent another header just wide of the far post but City kept a spirited Everton at arm's length in the closing moments before De Bruyne was forced off in considerable discomfort.