Does the League Cup Final Win Vindicate Raheem Sterling?

All the talk surrounding the Capital One Cup, and the fact that Manchester City have won another trophy, hopefully not the last, of Manuel Pellegrini's reign, was of his goalkeeping choice. Before the game concern was raised of the Chileans choice to stick with second choice goalkeeper, Willy Caballero. That decision has since been vindicated after the penalty save heroics from the Argentine shot stopper. The decision Pellegrini made, and was criticized, just like his FA Cup selection last weekend and, like last weekend, proved to be correct.

Another sub plot going into the game was the fact that Raheem Sterling would be facing the side he left, in rather hostile circumstances, in the summer. At the time, not helped by a BBC interview, accusations were that the former Liverpool twice Young Player of the Year recipient, was motivated by money. A strange accusation considering Liverpool had their offer declined by Sterling, reported to triple his wage at the club.

Later, and after initial bids being rejected, Manchester City got their man and Raheem got his chance to play for a side who, in his words, he would win things with. The British press were very creative with their headlines and pounced on the fact that the British currency and Raheems last name were the same.

When Manchester City and Raheem Sterling would face each other at Wembley in the Capital One Cup of course the interest as to whether his new club or his old one would lift the trophy. For Raheem the game itself was disappointing and frustrating with boo's ringing out every time he touched the ball and, of course, those two missed opportunities.

When City's lead was cancelled out and the game went to extra time the momentum was clearly with his old side and I am sure the Liverpool fans were certainly chomping at the bit to post to social media the fact he left a club which won a trophy for one that lost.

That was not to be the case though as City converted all but one of four penalties, the fifth not needed (I hope Sterling had penciled himself in as the fifth penalty taker) to lift the trophy. In his 95 games for Liverpool in a senior career which started in 2011 he had won nothing, although had come close to the title at one point, not sure who actually ended up winning that. So far, for City, he has only played 33 times in all competitions and already has a winners medal to show for it. While Willy will grab the headlines, I am sure deep down a certain Raheem Sterling now has a lot of vindication for his decision to swap Merseyside red for the blue of Manchester.