Granit Xhaka scored the vital goal as Arsenal came from behind to book a Wembley showdown with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
And City, the betting websites’ favourites to lift the first trophy of the season overcame a spirited fight from Bristol City at Ashton Gate, to set up that mouth-watering final. Very few, if any, betting tips suggested the Sky Blues would falter, but the London derby was much harder to call.
Arsenal 2-1 (2-1 on agg) Chelsea
The pre-match betting odds had Chelsea as slight favourites and they came out firing on all cylinders, so it was no surprise when they went ahead after only seven minutes. Eden Hazard collected a through ball from Pedro and clinically slotted the ball home to put the Blues one-nil up. But the lead lasted just five minutes before Arsenal got back into the game thanks to a huge slice of luck. Nacho Monreal’s header had plenty of power but ricocheted off Marcos Alonso and Antonio Rudiger before flying into the net.
The Gunners were lucky to go into half time level, and Chelsea unlucky to lose Willian through injury. But Arsenal came out in the second half with more purpose, Alexandre Lacazette working hard to stretch the Chelsea defence and his toils were rewarded when Granit Xhaka poked home his cross.
And that seemed to give Arsenal more impetus as they continued to press, Alex Iwobi coming close in a one on one with Willy Caballero, the big keeper just getting his foot to the ball. But two was enough for Arsenal and another final for Arsene.
Bristol City 2-3 (3-5 on agg) Manchester City
The one-goal margin in the other match suggests a tighter contest than it was in reality as Manchester City built on their first leg advantage with a deflected goal from Leroy Sane and a second from Sergio Aguero shortly after half time.
But the Championship outfit didn’t give up and, in front of a passionate West Country crowd, hit the favourites twice on the break, through Marlon Pack and Aden Flint, before Kevin de Bruyne restored daylight with the last clinical kick of the game.
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