Caballero stars as Manchester City lift League Cup

Manchester City have won the English League Cup for the second time in three seasons after Willy Caballero saved a trio of spot kicks in a penalty shoot-out with final rivals Liverpool.

City's stand-in goalkeeper was the hero at Wembley with saves from Lucas, Coutinho and Adam Lallana following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time. Fernandinho was the first player to miss his spot kick, striking the post, but Jesús Navas and Sergio Agüero both converted before Yaya Touré buried the decisive penalty for Manuel Pellegrini's men.

UEFA Champions League hopefuls City had taken the lead earlier in the game as well, Fernandinho firing in from a tight angle from Agüero's pass on 49 minutes. They then went close to increasing their lead on several occasions, but UEFA Europa League contenders Liverpool took the match into extra time when Coutinho hit the target with seven minutes remaining, after substitute Lallana had connected with a post.

Both goalkeepers had saves to make during the additional half an hour, yet it was Caballero who grabbed the headlines with his penalty heroics as City lifted the League Cup for the fourth time in their history.

"For me, it's amazing. It was a hard, hard week for me, but we have the trophy now," explained Caballero. "It's emotional for me and all my family. My intuition helped me."

The 34-year-old also thanked Pellegrini for keeping faith in him over Joe Hart for the Wembley showpiece. "He gave me the opportunity to come here and play in this cup and this final, and I'm happy for him as well."