Beating Mourinho in the Final

In the dressing room, Pellegrini emphasized counterattacks through the left wing. The reason was that Ivanovic often overlapped to support the attack, leaving gaps in the defensive line.

Chelsea typically switched to a back-three when Ivanovic pushed forward, with Azpilicueta acting as the additional defender.

However, Manchester City had four attacking players, giving them a numerical advantage. While Chelsea's two defensive midfielders would likely assist defensively, Pellegrini's counterattack strategy aimed to bypass those midfielders entirely.

Along with the tactical adjustments, Pellegrini also substituted David Silva in place of James Milner.

After a tense 15-minute break, the teams returned to the field, greeted by the deafening roar of nearly 60,000 spectators filling Wembley. One half of the stadium glowed with Chelsea's blue flags waving vigorously, while the other pulsed with chants from Manchester City supporters. The battle of the blues resumed, and the tension was palpable.

True to his reputation, Jose Mourinho wasted no time imposing his tactical vision. From the start of the second half, Chelsea dropped deep, their defensive wall resolute and disciplined.

Mourinho's strategy was clear: frustrate City, suffocate their attack, and strike when the opportunity arose.

For City, it felt like running headfirst into a brick wall. Pellegrini's carefully counterattacking plan struggled to find life against Chelsea's defensive blockade.

As minutes ticked by, City found themselves passing the ball sideways, probing but failing to break through. Frustration began to creep into their play, and the crowd's energy mirrored the standoff.

The breakthrough City sought nearly came in the 56th minute. Jesus Navas, cutting inside with his characteristic speed, drew Azpilicueta out of position. With a clever flick, he slipped a through ball to Bacary Sagna, who surged down the right flank. Sagna's cross into the box was measured, finding Edin Dzeko in stride. Rising above Cahill, Dzeko powered a header toward the top-right corner.

The ball seemed destined for the net, but Petr Cech had other ideas. The veteran goalkeeper soared, his fingertips grazing the ball and pushing it wide with an athletic save that drew gasps from the crowd.

As he rose to his feet, Cech cast a lingering glance toward Mourinho, his expression defiant, as if to say: "I'm still here, and I'm not done yet." Mourinho responded with a faint smile, clapping his hands in approval.

City earned a corner, but Chelsea's dominance in aerial duels continued. They cleared the ball with ease, though City managed to retain possession.

Four minutes later, frustration boiled over. In the 60th minute, Yaya Toure, finding no openings, unleashed a speculative long-range effort. The ball sailed harmlessly wide, and Toure threw up his hands, exhaling deeply in frustration.

On the sideline, Mourinho made his first move. He signaled to Fabregas, who trudged off, replaced by Oscar. Mourinho, ever the tactician, sought fresh legs and creativity to maintain control of the midfield.

Pellegrini responded decisively. At the 64th minute, the fourth official raised his board: Kenneth Lee was coming on for Edin Dzeko. The teenager received a warm ovation from the City fans, who had come to admire his fearlessness and flair.

As Kenneth prepared to enter the field, Pellegrini approached him, his voice calm but firm. "Kenneth," he began, placing a reassuring hand on the young midfielder's shoulder. "Tell Aguero to drop slightly deeper. We're shifting to a 4-2-4. Stay level with him, and don't be afraid to take them on. One-on-one, I trust you—you can beat Cahill or Terry. Play smart, but play with courage."

Kenneth nodded, his expression determined. "Got it, boss," he replied.

He turned to Dzeko, sharing a quick handshake and a grin. "Good luck out there," Dzeko said.

Kenneth jogged onto the field, taking his position with purpose. The fans sensed the shift in energy, the introduction of a young talent breathing new life into City's attack.

As Kenneth entered, Clichy threw the ball to Demichelis. The former Bayern Munich player passed it forward.

Fernando took the ball, and when Diego Costa tried to dispossess him, Fernando passed it to his partner. Yaya Toure controlled the ball and sent it out wide to Sagna. The right-back called for Navas and passed the ball to him.

Navas, marked by Hazard, managed to turn his body but saw all his teammates tightly marked. To avoid losing possession, he passed it back to Fernando.

Manchester City continued probing for an opportunity as Chelsea's defense left them increasingly frustrated.

In the 73rd minute, the match intensified. Clichy played a short pass to David Silva, who quickly set up the next attack. Silva, with a single touch, passed the ball to Kenneth, who shielded it from Ramires before returning it to Silva. Silva calmly dribbled past Willian and began to challenge Ivanovic. Using his deft left foot, he delivered a precise pass to Aguero up front.

Aguero controlled the ball and started dribbling toward the penalty box, but Cahill stood firm, blocking his shooting lane. Aguero passed the ball back to Silva, who sent a cross to Navas on the right. Navas controlled it with his chest and struck a powerful shot that forced Petr Cech into a heroic save. The ball hit the post and bounced back into the penalty area.

Kenneth reacted quickly, firing a strong shot on the rebound, but Terry managed to block it, deflecting the ball into the air. Kenneth leapt for a header, but Terry got there first, clearing it out of the penalty box.

As the ball fell, Yaya Toure ran in from deep, bypassing Ramires and Zouma, before unleashing a rocket of a shot toward the top corner. Once again, Cech displayed his class with a fingertip save, deflecting the ball onto the crossbar and out of play.

As the referee signaled for a corner, Kenneth and David Silva exchanged a quick glance, an unspoken plan flickering between them. Kenneth jogged toward the flag with purpose, Silva trailing just behind him. The Chelsea defense was still organizing, their attention momentarily distracted as they marked Aguero and the rest of City's towering players in the box.

Peter Drury's voice rose, sharp with curiosity, "What are Kenneth and Silva planning here? The Chelsea defense isn't fully set—could City be looking to catch them off guard?"

Kenneth positioned himself near the ball, feigning preparation for a typical delivery. Instead, Silva darted forward, and with a subtle nudge, Kenneth rolled the ball softly into his path. The move was so quick and seamless that the Chelsea players barely reacted.

"It's taken quickly—Kenneth to Silva!" Drury exclaimed, his voice laced with excitement. "Chelsea have been caught sleeping!"

Silva, now in stride, surged down the byline with the ball at his feet. Ivanovic, realizing the danger too late, scrambled to intercept, but Silva was already a step ahead. With his magical left foot, he curled a sharp, low cross into the heart of the penalty area.

Aguero, lurking near the six-yard box, reacted instinctively. He slid in, meeting the ball with the inside of his boot and redirecting it past Cech, who could only watch as the ball slammed into the back of the net.

"Aguero! It's in!" Drury roared, the crowd erupting behind him. "Oh, that is sheer brilliance! Kenneth Lee and David Silva conjure a moment of pure ingenuity, and Aguero does what Aguero does best! Manchester City take the lead at Wembley!"

The City fans exploded in celebration, their cheers drowning out the stunned murmurs from the Chelsea supporters. Kenneth turned to Silva, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

Meanwhile, Mourinho on the Chelsea bench was fuming, gesturing wildly at his players. "Wake up! What are you doing?!" he barked, his frustration boiling over.

Pellegrini, ever composed, stood at the edge of his technical area, clapping his hands calmly. His eyes briefly met Kenneth's, and the faintest nod of approval passed between them.

On the sidelines, Mourinho sprinted toward the referee, protesting vehemently against the goal being allowed. The referee, seeing no foul play, issued Mourinho a red card.

As Kenneth jogged back to his position, he exchanged a look with Silva and Aguero, smiling.

Silva smiled and patted Kenneth on the back. "Your quick thinking was brilliant."

Kenneth chuckled. "Just capitalizing on the moment. Mourinho must be furious."

Aguero glanced at Mourinho. "The Portuguese guy got a red card. Let's finish this game."

Chelsea, stung by the equalizer, wasted no time launching a furious assault on Manchester City's defense.

In the 78th minute, Hazard came alive, gliding effortlessly past Fernando, weaving between Kompany and Sagna with dazzling footwork. He slipped a sharp pass toward Diego Costa, but Demichelis, reading the play expertly, stepped in to cut it out and clear the danger.

The interception led to a Chelsea corner. Hazard, taking responsibility, delivered a vicious, pacey cross into the box. The ball swirled menacingly through the air, but Kompany, City's rock at the back, rose highest and powered a header clear.

Chelsea kept probing, and in the 83rd minute, Willian combined brilliantly with Diego Costa in a slick one-two. Bursting into the penalty area, Willian fired a low cross toward the left. Hazard, sensing the chance, sprinted forward, but Joe Hart anticipated the danger. The City keeper rushed out with perfect timing, diving low to smother the ball before Hazard could make contact.

The clock ticked toward full time, and in the 88th minute, Chelsea won a dangerous free kick just outside the penalty area. Hazard, the architect of so many Chelsea chances, stood over the ball, his composure unshaken.

The whistle blew. Hazard took deliberate, measured steps, his body coiled with precision as he curled a wicked shot toward the top-right corner. The ball spun sharply, its trajectory precise, as Wembley collectively held its breath.

The ball arced beautifully toward the top-right corner, spinning with precision and intent. Joe Hart leapt, his outstretched fingertips agonizingly close, but the shot sailed past him. For a split second, it seemed destined to break City hearts—until the post intervened with a resounding thud. The ball ricocheted back into play, chaos erupting in the box.

"Off the post!" Peter Drury's voice crackled with intensity. "Chelsea inches away from glory, but City survive by the narrowest of margins!"

Kenneth Lee reacted in an instant, his instincts as sharp as ever. Sprinting toward the rebound, he outpaced Diego Costa with sheer determination. A subtle body feint left Costa grasping at thin air, and Kenneth smoothly dribbled past him, keeping his momentum alive. As Willian closed in with urgency, Kenneth executed a flawless roulette, spinning away from the challenge as the crowd erupted in awe.

"Look at this from the teenager!" Drury exclaimed. "Kenneth Lee taking Chelsea apart piece by piece!"

Ivanovic was next to step forward, throwing himself into Kenneth's path. Kenneth, calm under pressure, pushed the ball forward with a delicate touch and sped past the defender. The City fans roared louder, sensing that something extraordinary was unfolding before their eyes.

In the stands, Mourinho, watching helplessly after his earlier dismissal, threw his hands up in disbelief. His animated protests to the fourth official were futile now; his influence on the match had been reduced to a distant roar from the Chelsea section of Wembley.

Cahill charged toward Kenneth, timing his tackle to perfection—or so he thought. Kenneth, ever alert, lofted the ball gently over the lunging defender and skipped past him with ease. The gasp from the crowd was electric as Kenneth bore down on the penalty area.

Ahead, Aguero was locked in a physical battle with John Terry. The Argentine, under immense pressure, managed to control Kenneth's quick pass with a brilliant first touch. Aguero swiveled, threading a perfectly weighted ball back to Kenneth, who had surged into the box, the goal beckoning.

"This is his moment!" Drury roared. "Can Kenneth Lee seal it for Manchester City?!"

Kenneth's first touch was impeccable, setting him up beautifully. With a delicate chip, he lifted the ball over the sprawling Cech, the arc perfect and agonizingly slow. Terry, scrambling back, made a desperate lunge to clear it off the line—but only succeeded in deflecting it into his own net.

"GOAL!" Drury's voice echoed through Wembley. "Kenneth Lee! The teenager writes his name into League Cup history! Courage, composure, and brilliance—all in one glorious moment!"

The City section erupted into pandemonium, a sea of sky-blue flags waving furiously as the noise drowned out everything else. Kenneth turned toward his teammates, his arms spread wide in triumph. Silva and Aguero sprinted toward him, engulfing him in a celebratory embrace.

"You're unreal, Kenneth!" Silva laughed, clapping him on the back.

Kenneth grinned, catching his breath. "It's not over yet. Let's make sure we finish this."

From the stands, Mourinho watched with a mixture of fury and disbelief. He shook his head, muttering to himself as he slumped back into his seat, powerless to change the tide of the match.

Chelsea threw everything forward in the final moments, but City's defense stood resolute. Every clearance, every tackle was greeted with cheers from the City faithful. As the referee blew the final whistle, the roar of victory swept through Wembley.

Peter Drury's voice captured the moment with perfection. "Manchester City have done it! A stunning 2-1 victory over Chelsea! And at the heart of it all, Kenneth Lee, the teenager who rose to the occasion and delivered on the grandest stage!"