Manchester City’s penalty shoot-out win and Kepa Arrizabalaga’s power-play leaves Maurizio Sarri a step nearer to Chelsea’s trap door

After 120 minutes of stalemate, the Carabao Cup final crammed all of its drama into some engrossing and bizarre closing stages.

Maurizio Sarri’s stifling tactics did exactly that, but the gamble to sit deep, avoid the 6-0 thrashing of two weeks ago, not muster an attempt on target and then triumph on penalties narrowly failed to pay off.

His Chelsea side may have carried out his plan well and threatened through the wonderful Eden Hazard, but, even more so than any other cup final, this one was about the result.

Sarri has been under mounting pressure for some time and the madcap conclusion to an otherwise lacklustre tie did as much damage as the penalty shoot-out defeat.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s refusal to be substituted was a jaw-dropping show of player power and, it seems, confirmation of the problems in the Chelsea dressing room.

In the closing stages of extra-time, penalty specialist Willy Caballero was warmed up, stripped off and on the touchline. The piece of paper had been handed to the fourth official and the substitution board was held aloft. The pitch announcer said Kepa would be coming off for Caballero – and yet, he didn’t.

Kepa, who had previously been seen stretching his hamstring, signalled vigorously to the bench that he was not going anywhere. Team-mate David Luiz came over to consult with him, as did referee Jon Moss.

Sarri and his assistant Gianfranco Zola shouted from the touchline but the world’s most expensive goalkeeper got his wish. It was he, and not the man who had saved three spot-kicks in City’s 2016 win, who would face the penalty-takers from 12 yards. Pressure on.

Although Kepa nearly stopped Sergio Aguero’s shot and dived full length to palm away Leroy Sane’s effort, it wasn’t enough. Jorginho and his stuttering run-up were halted by Ederson and Luiz struck the post as City held their nerve to prevail 4-3, Raheem Sterling emphatically converting the winning kick, and reclaim their trophy.

Had Chelsea won the lottery of penalties the narrative would, of course, be completely different. Instead, inevitably, the talk around Wembley, at least in the royal blue half, was of unprofessionalism, insubordination, even mutiny.

“It was a misunderstanding, I understood the goalkeeper had cramp and would be unable to go to the penalties,” Sarri attempted to explain after the match.

“I asked for a change for this physical problem and he said he hadn’t a physical problem. So he was right, I think. I have to talk with [Kepa] but only to clarify because now I have understood very well the situation.”

It was a convenient explanation, but one some will be cynical of. How can you manage a team who seemingly won’t even obey your orders?

However, who has more influence at a club: a £71m player or a manager who, in the modern age, often comes and goes? Ultimately, in this cut-throat time it is Sarri who may prove to be more expendable.

The former Napoli coach has cut a frustrated figure for the last few months. He has spoken on more than one occasion this season of his struggles to motivate his players. He has been heavily criticised for his tactical inflexibility.

Yet despite it all it was his side who, strangely, were in the ascendency for much of this cup final. Aguero was well-marshalled by Luiz and Antonio Rudiger. Kevin De Bruyne was off colour. Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva were industrious and threatening but lacked bite in the final third.

After a first half in which City had all of the ball, Chelsea began to press as well as taking their time on goal kicks and set pieces. Predictably it all came through Hazard, who was constantly running in behind. The Belgian set up N’Golo Kante to shoot over before feeding Pedro in space down the right. It failed to click, but having seen a coherent performance Sarri was content.

“Today we showed we could become a very solid team,” he said. “We conceded nothing to the opponents and against Man City that is not easy. I am very proud of my players.”

He may be proud, but as City and Pep Guardiola celebrated yet another cup final win – and the first leg of what could yet prove an unprecedented quadruple – Sarri’s smoke and mirrors failed to cloud the pervasive feeling that he is slipping further towards the Chelsea manager trap door.