Everton Win Can Be a Springboard to Glory for Manchester City

There have been some great nights at the Etihad Stadium since Sheikh Mansour assumed control of the club back in 2008. Now, after a glorious 90 minutes that saw the atmosphere in the stands cranked higher than its usual level, Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Everton in the Capital One Cup semi-final, which sealed a 4-3 aggregate victory, can be filed up there alongside them.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side will meet Liverpool in the final at Wembley at the end of February, thanks to a wonderful comeback from a difficult position. City, already 2-1 down from the first leg, went behind early on to Ross Barkley’s superb strike, and it looked as though this was set to be a disappointing evening. But, as they have done so often before, they managed to find an unlikely win.

Pelligrini's bold substitutions saw City turn things around, with goals from the irrepressible Fernandinho, substitute Kevin De Bruyne and star striker Sergio Aguero. It was a wonderful second-half display that deserved to see City progress to another showpiece final.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Pellegrini introduced Jesus Nava and De Bruyne in the second half, and both brought a new dimension to City’s attacking play. De Bruyne, in particular, played his part, scoring one and assisting Aguero’s header, which proved to be the decisive moment.

In a season defined by their inconsistency, City now need to use this as a platform for a sustained run of positive results. Without back-to-back league victories in over three months and with a side that, at times, looks somewhat short of steeliness, they have underwhelmed and lacked momentum.

This result could be just what they need. Capital One Cup provided detailed information regarding ticket prices and locations:

"

.@MCFC will be at the East End of Wembley with allocation of approx 31,500 tickets >> https://t.co/8VRqjU4zkF. pic.twitter.com/rSF8LZt0b1

— Capital One Cup (@CapitalOne_Cup) January 27, 2016"

There was, however, much disappointment that tempered some of the optimism in the stands. An injury to De Bruyne saw him leave the field on a stretcher, with knee ligament damage the early prognosis. He looked in severe pain having gone down under a challenge from Ramiro Funes Mori.

The Belgian wasn't helped by Joel Robles picking him up in an attempt to get him to continue with the game. The Everton ‘keeper has since tweeted his apologies:

"

I would like to apologise to Kevin De Bruyne for my reaction to his injury. In the heat of the moment I didn't realise he was badly hurt. ..

— Joel Robles (@joelroblesb) January 27, 2016"

"

I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery

— Joel Robles (@joelroblesb) January 27, 2016"

There was a degree of controversy about the result, as Raheem Sterling ran the ball out of play before crossing for De Bruyne’s goal that levelled the tie.

Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, was furious afterwards, despite the fact City had been denied a clear penalty in the first leg when Jesus Navas was taken out inside the area and Aguero was fouled in the build-up to Ross Barkley’s opener in this match.

“I don’t agree it was a clear penalty, [on Navas at Goodison]” he said.

“There are many decisions you can argue. What you are talking about is a clear-cut decision. I think it is very, very different when there is a clear call of the ball being over the line or not."

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Pellegrini, though, felt it was City who had cause for complaint.

“Maybe it was a mistake of the referee, but I think Everton cannot complain about the referee,” he said.

“We lost at Goodison with a clear offside for the first goal—a clear penalty for Jesus Navas. We drew here with a clear penalty on Aguero [in the Premier League].

“One mistake against four or five mistakes. I think we had two shots on the post and were the better team.”

Aguero noted it took an all-around effort to reach the final:

"

We played like we had to play to reach a final and with the support of everyone at Etihad we did it. Off to Wembley it is! C'mon, City!

— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) January 27, 2016"

City deserve their place in the final, and Pellegrini will be hoping for a repeat of 2014 when his side won the League Cup before going on to secure a Premier League title a few months later.

Winning this competition can breed confidence. It lays down a platform for success.

This win, although not perfect, demonstrated City's character and desire for success. The atmosphere inside the stadium was wonderful. 

If they can win the competition for the second time in three seasons, it could be just the fillip they need to finally see them take control of the title race. 

The Premier League is there for the taking. If City get their act together, it's theirs. 

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.