Manuel Pellegrini: 'Manchester City deserve to be in League Cup final'

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that his side deserve their place in the final of the League Cup, having beaten Everton to a spot at Wembley this evening.

The Citizens fell two goals behind on aggregate courtesy of Ross Barkley's opener at the Etihad Stadium, but goals from Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero saw the hosts complete the turnaround.

There was controversy over City's second goal on the night as the ball appeared to be out of play when Raheem Sterling fed it to De Bruyne, but Pellegrini insists that his side deserved the win anyway, and also pointed at what he claimed was a foul in the build-up to Everton's goal.

"I am very happy, to play a final at Wembley, it is very important. We deserved to be in the final, we had just one defeat - that was against Everton [in the first leg] with a clear penalty," Pellegrini told Sky Sports News.

"They scored at 1-0 and it was a clear foul. If you think because of that ball (Sterling to de Bruyne), that is not why we won. We won because we scored three goals and Everton had just one chance.

"We have one month to think about the final. It will be a tough game and we are optimistic we will win the cup.It is important for the team to win a cup in February, it gives you a lot of trust. Wembley is a special stadium."

City will face Liverpool in the final of the competition on February 28.