Manchester City and Sunderland met at Wembley this afternoon to contest the final of this season's League Cup.
Underdogs Sunderland took a lead into the break courtesy of a strike from Fabio Borini, but quickfire goals soon after the restart from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri put City in the ascendancy.
Then, in the closing stages, as Sunderland pushed for an equaliser, they were caught on the break when Jesus Navas added a third for the Citizens to secure the trophy.
You can find out how the match unfolded with our minute-by-minute updates below.
1.02pmAfternoon all. So, after a few weeks of waiting since the semi-finals, the day has arrived for the players and supporters of Manchester City and Sunderland - the League Cup final at Wembley. It's the first major trophy up for grabs this season!
1.05pmThe waiting is also over for the players, who have just been told whether or not they will be starting. Let's take a look at the Sunderland team first...
1.06pmSUNDERLAND XI: Mannone; Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Alonso; Cattermole, Colback, Ki, Larsson, Johnson; Borini
1.07pmSUNDERLAND SUBS: Ustari, Gardner, Fletcher, Celustka, Giaccherini, Vergini, Scocco
1.10pmWell, as expected, Gus Poyet has gone for a 4-5-1 formation, but his choice of lone striker is perhaps a surprise. He's gone for Fabio Borini instead of Steven Fletcher, while there is no place for Jozy Altidore in the squad. The American may be injured, but there is no confirmation of that. Elsewhere, Lee Cattermole comes into the midfield in place of cup-tied Liam Bridcutt, while Wes Brown returns from suspension to partner John O'Shea at the back.
1.11pmAnd now for City, who have a big name back in their ranks...
1.12pmMAN CITY XI: Pantilimon; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko
1.13pmMAN CITY SUBS: Hart, Clichy, Lescott, Milner, Garcia, Navas, Negredo
1.16pmThe big news for City is that leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero is back following a hamstring complaint. He will partner Edin Dzeko up front, which means that Alvaro Negredo will have to settle for a place among the substitutes. Elsewhere, Martin Demichelis has kept his place at centre-back alongside Vincent Kompany, while Joe Hart has dropped down to the bench as Costel Pantilimon continues to deputise in goal in the League Cup.
1.20pmAs you would expect, City are huge favourties to win this final. However, they couldn't cope with the pressure against Wigan Athletic in last season's FA Cup. That day, as extra-time loomed, Ben Watson headed in a corner to hand Wigan their first major trophy. It was a result that ultimately cost Roberto Mancini his manager's job at the Etihad Stadium.
1.22pmOf course, this is a different City team now. They are under the stewardship of Manuel Pellegrini. Here is what the Chilean has had to say about that defeat last year and this match: "I don't like to talk with them about last year but I'm sure for every player it is a lesson.
"It's beautiful to play for a title at Wembley and very awful to lose it. For all of them it is not revenge - it is another team, another year, another situation - but I am absolutely sure all will be 100% motivated to win."
1.25pmPellegrini has also made a big call in selecting Aguero, particularly because he has just recovered from a hamstring injury. Has he rushed him back for this clash? Here's what he just told Sky Sports News about the Argentine's return to the team:
"Sergio worked the whole week with the squad. He's fit, maybe not for the whole match. We will see how we feel with him."
1.27pmSo, what of Sunderland? Do they have a realistic chance of winning today? Obviously they can win and should be confident having knocked Chelsea and Manchester United out in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively. They can also take plenty of heart from the 1-0 victory that they recorded over City at the Stadium of Light earlier this season.
1.30pmHere is how former Leicester City midfielder and now BBC Sport pundit Robbie Savage believes Sunderland can win this game: "Sunderland did not keep a clean sheet in that game in November because of luck, great saves from Vito Mannone or poor finishing from City. They won because they were well organised and Gus Poyet's gameplan worked.
"Poyet accepted City would have more of the ball but told his players to retreat to the halfway line when City had possession and to be compact in their own half, which is where most of the game was played. He packed his midfield, protected his defence and denied City space when they came forward. There was no room for them to play through the Black Cats."
1.34pmAnd what about Poyet? He wants to win this game for Sunderland owner Ellis Short, saying: "I want to be respectful and not talk too much about him, just give him the credit he deserves. It would be nice to do it for him. He will be allowed in the changing room at Wembley if we win. To be honest, I'm not going to tell the chairman he's not allowed in!
"I'd like to say a few things about him. I think it was very brave of him to give me the job. I imagine, at the time, most people were thinking of an experienced, older manager. But he took a risk in certain ways.
"I'm not going to go against myself, but he took a risk in terms of the type of person needed and the character to do certain things because of the players here and because of what had been happening. I have to thank him for that. I'd love to be the first Sunderland manager to win the League Cup. That would be special."
1.37pmAs for his tactics, the Uruguayan has just told Sky Sports News: "We should take the opportunity to press when we can - we can't just defend. I hope we can make [Aguero] run without the ball. We need to be good today. It's a great opportunity and the fans are loving it. We are going to give our best."
1.40pmPoyet also revealed that Fletcher is on the bench because he's only trained for the last five days and is lacking match fitness. Instead, Borini will lead the Sunderland attack and his parent club Liverpool have wished him well:
Best of luck to @borinifabio29, who starts for Sunderland in the League Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley today.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 2, 20141.43pmIn terms of League Cup history, City have won the competition twice (the last of which was in 1976), while Sunderland have never tasted success. The closest that they got was back in 1985 when they were defeated by Norwich City. You can relieve both team's final appearances with our article here.
1.48pmIt's without doubt a big day for all the players involved, but there is perhaps a bigger incentive for Sunderland winger Adam Johnson. He was deemed surplus to requirements by City in the summer of 2012 and was sold to Sunderland for a reported £10m. Today he has the chance to prove to City that they were wrong to let him go. He may also be determined to show Roy Hodgson why he should have been included in the England squad for the upcoming friendly with Denmark.
1.52pmPREDICTION: Not long now until we get started at Wembley - how are the nerves City and Sunderland fans? So, who is going to win? Logic points to City and if they play to their maximum, they will have too much for the Black Cats. As mentioned earlier, they didn't produce the goods last season, but that should focus their minds even more. Sunderland will put up a good fight, but let's say 2-0 to City with a goal apiece for Aguero and Dzeko.
1.54pmAnd here come the players to big a roar from the capacity crowd. To their credit, the players look composed, although most of them must be nervous.
1.57pmNational anthem done, handshakes almost done - three minutes now until we are underway. There is a great atmosphere inside Wembley at the moment.
1 minKICKOFF! City, attacking from left to right during the first half, get this season's League Cup final started. Who will be celebrating come the final whistle? We shall find out.
4 minIt's been a ferocious start to the match by Sunderland as both Sebastian Larsson and Phil Bardsley fly into challenges with Yaya Toure and David Silva respectively. Some referees would have blown for fouls, but referee Martin Atkinson waved play on.
9 minA couple of corners from Silva cause panic inside the Sunderland area, but they eventually clear the danger. It's vitally important that they do not concede an early goal here.
10 minSunderland have the ball in the net, but it doesn't count. It's Ki that turns in Borini's low cross at the back post, but the Italian was clearly offside before he drilled the ball into the area. It's obvious that Sunderland have identified Demichelis as City's major weakness because Borini is playing on him right now.
10 minGOAL! MAN CITY 0-1 SUNDERLAND (BORINI)
10 minWhat a start from Sunderland - they are in dreamland. Larsson lofts the ball over Demichelis and into the path of Borini, who then shows great pace and strength to get away from Kompany. The angle is against him inside the area, but he still goes for goal and produces a finish of real quality to beat Pantilimon. Sunderland have something to defend now - can City break them down?
15 minCHANCE! Another opening for Borini and Sunderland as Fernandinho fails to get any real distance on his headed clearance. The ball drops to the Italian striker on the edge of the area, but his half-volley is deflected over the top by Dzeko. Then, from the resultant corner, Brown rises highest, but he can't keep his header down. Sunderland want a second goal, that's for sure!
19 minSome Sunderland fans are mocking their City counterparts by doing 'The Poznan' in the stands. It's a bit early for that, but you can understand their excitement. It sounds obvious, but while their side is on top, they could do with scoring again.
24 minThe City players are certainly rattled. Toure has just aimed a barrage of verbals at referee Atkinson because he believes that he was fouled by Johnson, but the official didn't agree. There is still plenty of time for them to respond, but City do need to regain their composure.
28 minSAVE! Much better from City as they get Aguero into the game for the first time. He speeds away from Alonso down the right flank, before lifting a cross towards the edge of the area. Nasri meets the ball on the run, but his touch is a little heavy and although he gets a shot in, the Frenchman is always stretching and Vito Mannone is able to gather with ease.
32 minNasri and Silva are starting to pull the strings in the middle for City and it's the former of those two that attempts a volleyed cross. Aguero is waiting to tap in from close range, but Brown reacts quickest to hack clear the danger. Nevertheless, there have been signs in recent minutes that City have settled.
35 minBorini was the hero at one end and he's just saved his side up the other end. Silva's corner flashes across the face of the Sunderland goal, but with City players waiting, Borini manages to head the ball over his own bar from six yards out. He could easily have got that wrong!
39 minCHANCE! Huge opportunity for Borini to double his and Sunderland's tally. He is an offside position, but there is no flag and as a result is through on goal. He hesitates over his shot, though, which gives Kompany enough time to get back and slide in with a smart tackle. Great play from the City captain.
43 minKolarov is starting to get a lot of space down the City left and his teammates are looking for him frequently. That's where Johnson has got to make sure that he does his work defensively because if he doesn't, Bardsley is going to be left isolated.
45 minThere will be a minimum of one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
45+1 minHALF TIME: MAN CITY 0-1 SUNDERLAND
2.47pmSo, 45 minutes have been completed and it's fair to say that they have not gone with the script. Sunderland lead 1-0 at Wembley and are closing in on an upset.
2.50pmOne would imagine that Pellegrini is going to read the riot act during the next 10 minutes or so. His side have been poor in possession and every time Sunderland attack, the City defence look shaky. He may even consider making changes, with Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo likely to be in his thoughts. So much for learning the lessons of last year.
2.53pmSunderland deserve a lot of credit for City's performance, though. They've refused to let the opposition have any time in possession, particularly in key areas of the pitch. What's more, Poyet's men have been positive when they have the ball, with Borini proving to be a major outlet up front.
2.56pmThere will, of course, come a point during the second half where City have a sustained period of pressure - or at least you would expect them to have that. This will be key for Sunderland. They may have to ride their luck and rely on Mannone, but they've shown that they can be dangerous on the break. It's important that they continue to be positive and not settle for what they have.
2.59pmBefore the action restarts, here are the thoughts of former City midfield Dietmar Hamann:
I like Pellegrini but what he sees in Demichelis I do not know.If Negredo comes on I still fancy them to win.
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) March 2, 201446 minRESTART! Neither side has made a change as Sunderland get the second half underway. They are 45 minutes away from winning the League Cup for the first time.
49 minIt's been a positive start by City, as you'd expect. They are yet to test Mannone, but Pablo Zabaleta has just seen his cross from the right flash across the face of the Sunderland goal.
51 minSAVES! Smart stop from Mannone, who can't have seen Silva's low shot from the edge of the area until late. The ball passed through a number of bodies, but the Sunderland keeper got down in plenty of time to hold the ball. Then, up the other end, Ki stings Pantilimon's palms from distance.
55 minGOAL! MAN CITY 1-1 SUNDERLAND (TOURE)
55 minToure has probably put in his poorest performance of the season so far, but he's just scored one of his best goals in a City shirt! Zabaleta rolls the ball into his path 25 yards from goal and having weighed up his options, the Ivorian goes for goal. It seems as though his shot if flying over, but at the final moment it dips beyond a helpless Mannone. City are back in it.
57 minGOAL! MAN CITY 2-1 SUNDERLAND (NASRI)
57 minWow, just wow! In the blink of an eye, City's key players have come good. This time it's Nasri who strikes with devastating effect. He meets a cross from the left swung in by Kolarov and proceeds to power a half-volley in off the post. That's unstoppable by the French international. There's been no tactical ploy to this from Pellegrini, just two fantastic goals.
60 minSUBSTITUTIONS: In the wake of those two goals, both teams have made changes. It's the end of Aguero's afternoon - the Argentine has been replaced by Navas. Meanwhile, Sunderland have made two changes as Johnson and Larsson exit the action, with Fletcher and Gardner promoted from the bench.
62 minIt seems that Paddy Power do not hold out much hope for a Sunderland recovery:
Is it a case of how many City will get now? Sunderland out to 7/1... http://t.co/CS0z3lylK3
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 2, 201464 minHow can they get back into this? Firstly, they need to kill the tempo. City are full of confidence and are threatening to score a third goal. Sunderland need to revert back to what they were doing in the first half - playing on Demichelis because the veteran Argentine defender has a mistake in him.
68 minTo be fair to Sunderland, they have forced a number of free kicks and corners in the last few minutes. With Fletcher now on the pitch, that seems to be the way that they are going now. If so, the deliveries from the likes of Ki and Gardner must be good.
72 minHere are the previous few moments summed up nicely by former England international Gary Lineker:
Sunderland have responded really well to that double kick in the teeth. Counter attack could kill them, but they're having a right good go!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 2, 201473 minSAVE! If Sunderland are going to lose here, they are going to do so fighting. Colback does ever so well to knock the ball down into the path of Fletcher, but he volleys his effort straight into the ground from the edge of the area. That takes a lot of the pace out of the shot and Pantilimon is able to grab with relative ease.
77 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Final roll of the dice from Poyet, as he takes off Cattermole and throws on the the attack-minded Emanuele Giaccherini. City have also made a change and it's a defensive one, with Silva coming off and being replaced by Javi Garcia. It's likely to see Toure push further up the pitch.
82 minCHANCE! Kompany almost seals the win for City as he wrestles himself free at the near post to meet Nasri's corner. The centre-back goes for an acrobatic volley, but sends the ball into the side netting. A few moments later, Sunderland defender Alonso receives a yellow card for pulling back Navas.
86 minTime is quickly running out for Sunderland. They've used all three of their substitutes, so it's down to the players that are on the pitch to drag the team level. Right now, it's City that look the more likely to score, but you never know - this is cup football after all!
88 minSUBSTITUTION: A straight swap for City as Dzeko trudges off to be replaced by Negredo. The Spaniard will provide some fresh legs as the Citizens look to see out this game.
90 minGOAL! MAN CITY 3-1 SUNDERLAND (NAVAS)
90 minMoments after Fletcher spurns a chance to draw Sunderland level, Navas secures the trophy for City. It's a quick counter-attack which sees five City players come up against two Sunderland defenders. The move ends with Toure playing in Navas and he slots the ball underneath Mannone, who will feel he should have saved that. There will be four minutes of stoppage time, but that won't be enough for Sunderland now.
90+4 minFULL TIME: MAN CITY WIN THE LEAGUE CUP!
3.54pmThere goes the final whistle and the City players and management are elated out there. You've got to feel sorry for Sunderland because they were more than a match for their opposition and were only outdone by two goals of real quality.
3.56pmSpeaking to Sky Sports News, Toure just said: "We needed to win today, it was very important. Sunderland made it difficult for us, but we deserve it. Today we showed we are a great team. Sunderland showed great spirit."
3.57pmAs for Nasri, he said: "There is so much pride. The first half was some memories of Wigan. I'm really happy and hope we will be celebrating some others. We needed to stay calm and play our football, with our tempo. We want to win everything."
3.59pmSunderland captain John O'Shea: "We are terribly disappointed. We started exactly how we wanted to. They scored a great goal to get back into it. City finished the game very strong. The only way you can enjoy a cup final is by winning it - it's not a nice place now."
4.01pmO'Shea is now leading his players up the steps to collect their runners-up medals. The Sunderland fans have stayed behind to applaud their team and so they should - they gave everything today. Now Kompany and City are heading up to lift the trophy...
4.03pmAnd Kompany lifts the trophy aloft. Will it be the last time that he does that this season?
4.07pmThat is all we have time for from Wembley. Thanks for joining us for what turned out to be an entertaining League Cup final. Until next time, goodbye.
