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Carabao Cup

Pep dedicates Cup win to Colin Bell

6 January 2021

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola dedicated the Carabao Cup victory over rivals Manchester United to club legend Colin Bell.

Bell, a League Cup winner with the Citizens in both 1970 and 1976, sadly passed away at the age of 74 on Tuesday, with tributes paid by both Clubs ahead of kick-off for the Semi-Final at Old Trafford.

Speaking after his side's 2-0 win, Guardiola paid a personal tribute to the 'King of the Kippax', saying Bell's legacy inspired his players.

"It's for him and his family," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "He helped build something special for this club, a club which has many trophies in the cabinet, but that is not important, because the legacy some players have provided for this club in the past mean this is the club we have now.

"It's an incredible victory for us, to beat United away from home and reach another final. Today is for him, absolutely."

Second-half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho gave City victory on the night, as they set up a fourth consecutive Carabao Cup Final, this time against Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur.

"The team is ready," he added. "That's why we came here and put in an outstanding performance. We were a little bit tired in the second half after the game at Stamford Bridge [against Chelsea], but when you have the right mentality, we achieve something incredible.

"To reach the Final four times in a row is incredible."

Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will meet in the Final at Wembley Stadium on 25 April 2021.


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