‘Ki’ goal leads Sunderland into last-4

Midfielder helps team defeat Chelsea 2-1 in thrilling League Cup clash.

LONDON: South Korea’s Ki Sung-Yueng stunned Chelsea as the Sunderland midfielder’s first goal for the club sealed a shock 2-1 win in the League Cup quarter-finals, while Manchester City swept into the last four with a 3-1 victory at Leicester on Tuesday.

Gus Poyet’s team had been on the verge of defeat at the Stadium of Light after goal-line technology was used for the first time in the League Cup to give Chelsea the lead through Lee Cattermole’s own goal in the opening minute of the second half.



But Fabio Borini equalised for the Premier League’s bottom club in the 88th minute and Ki sent Sunderland into the semi-finals with a cool finish two minutes from the end of extra-time.

It was Ki’s first goal in 13 appearances for the Black Cats since his loan switch from Swansea, with whom he won the League Cup last season, in September.

Ki had never scored in English football since moving to Swansea from Celtic in 2012, and this was his first club goal since he netted for the Scottish giants at Hibernian in February 2012.

“It was just unbelievable, I didn’t expect to score but I am really pleased to help the team go through,” Ki told Sky Sports.

“This was a very hard game for us, but we didn’t give up. The boys played unbelievable.”

It is important to win every game: Pellegrini

At the King Power Stadium, City were effectively through to the semi-finals by half-time as they finally took their free-scoring home form on the road.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men were on top right from the start and took the lead in the ninth minute when defender Aleksandar Kolarov whipped a fine 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.

There was a setback for City moments later as Argentine right-back Pablo Zabaleta was forced to come off with a hamstring injury.

Leicester offered minimal resistance and City increased their lead in the 41st minute. It was a sweeping move as Jesus Navas teed up James Milner and the winger’s cross picked out Dzeko, who headed home emphatically from close-range.

Leicester replied in the 77th minute through Lloyd Dyer’s deflected shot, but City, who haven’t reached the League Cup final since 1976, were never in danger of blowing their lead.

“We had a very good first half, and dominated the game,” said Pellegrini.

“It is an important competition, it is important to win every game you play in and to get to the final at Wembley would be wonderful for the supporters.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2013.

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