Man City wary of history repeating itself

LONDON - Manchester City will be praying history does not repeat itself but Sunderland will be hoping it does when they meet in the Capital One (League) Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. City start as the strong favourites and Sunderland the rank outsiders and both clubs know the elation and devastation that can follow when those odds are upset. Last May City started as the overwhelming favourites to beat relegation-bound Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final but Wigan pulled off the biggest cup final upset for years and beat City 1-0 to lift the trophy for the first time in their history. The last time Sunderland won a major honour the odds stacked against them were even greater. In 1973 and then in the old Second Division, they stunned Don Revie’s all-star Leeds United team to win one of Wembley’s most famous finals with Ian Porterfield scoring the only goal. Now City turn their attentions away from their Premier League title challenge to face relegation-threatened Sunderland in this season’s first major showcase and will be taking nothing for granted against Gus Poyet’s team. Sunderland are one of only five clubs to have beaten City in the league this season and also ended the prospect of an all-Manchester final when they knocked out Manchester United on penalties in the semifinals a month ago. Although they have been in the relegation zone for most of the season and are currently 18th in the table two points from safety, their form has improved lately, even if their results have remained inconsistent. But another upset cannot be ruled out in the tactical battle between the two sides who are both coached by South Americans. QUADRUPLE TARGET Two days after City’s shock Cup final defeat last season, coach Roberto Mancini was sacked and his replacement, Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, has taken them to within sight of four trophies this season: the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and League Cup. Following their 2-0 home defeat by Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie that trophy is probably beyond them, but victory on Sunday would see them lift the first of what is a possible domestic treble, something no English club has ever achieved. OLD HEADS Sunderland’s Uruguayan coach Poyet, who was in the Chelsea side that won the 2000 FA Cup Final at Wembley, the last played there before the old stadium was demolished, is looking for his wise old heads and experienced campaigners to lead by example. He is expected to rely on the former Manchester United defensive pair of John O’Shea and Wes Brown at the back while former Manchester City player Adam Johnson has been in superb form recently. Manchester City have won the League Cup twice and their triumph in 1976 was their last major honour for 35 years until they won the FA Cup in 2011. Sunderland’s last major honour was the 1973 FA Cup. If they were to end that long drought without a trophy they would guarantee themselves a place in next season’s Europa League, even if, like Wigan last year, they also get relegated.