Tom Heaton says Claudio Bravo save ‘won the Carabao Cup’ for Man City
Tom Heaton has praised his fellow goalkeeper Claudio Bravo for making an excellent save in the dying moments of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Manchester City came out as 2-1 winners over Aston Villa, in part thanks to the 36-year-old’s stunning stop after Bjorn Engels’ close range header, tipping it onto the post and away.
Heaton, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season after he picked up an injury in January, was speaking on Sky Sports after the game, saying Bravo had ‘won the cup’ for City.
Claudio Bravo has been praised for his save which kept Man City’s lead in the league cup final
Bjorn Engels’ close range header looked destined for the net but Bravo tipped it onto the post
‘The second half Villa were going into it 2-1 down,’ said Heaton. ‘You have defended resolutely and played a bit higher and kept a higher line. You are waiting for that moment and we went close [to equalising].
‘It was a good save from Claudio Bravo. I think Gary Neville and co. are usually pretty harsh on goalkeepers but it has come at him quickly there. He has got two hands on it but it is not far out and it is a really good save and won the cup for them in many respects. You are just looking for that moment and it is such fine margins, it is a decent header but he has done well to keep that out.
‘You would say [Bravo] would feel good about that especially after having a relatively quiet afternoon.
‘He has produced that moment, it matters, and it is that sort of fine margins that takes you into extra time or wins it for you and today it has fallen in his favour.’
Aston Villa’s injured goalkeeper Tom Heaton says Bravo’s save won City the Carabao Cup
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after 20 minutes before Rodri followed up 10 minutes later to extend their lead.
However, a slip from City defender John Stones led to an Aston Villa lifeline as Mbwana Samatta headed home just before half time.
Villa came knocking on the door a few times late on as they tried to score an equaliser, but Bravo’s heroic efforts meant City won their third Carabao Cup trophy in a row.