Man United 2 Sunderland 1: Gus Poyet full of pride after shoot-out win

Gus Poyet was bursting with pride for his Sunderland team after watching them reach the League Cup final thanks to a dramatic penalty shoot-out win at Manchester United.

The Red Devils had made it 2-2 on aggregate thanks to Jonny Evans’s first-half header at Old Trafford.

I know for Man United it’s not that good but I think it’s a great story for football

Gus Poyet

Sunderland looked to have booked their place in the final after David De Gea spilled Phil Bardsley’s shot into his own net in the last minute of extra-time, but Javier Hernandez’s tap-in moments later forced penalties.

An astonishing total of seven spot kicks were then missed in the shoot-out as the Black Cats triumphed 2-1 to set up a Wembley clash against Manchester City on 2 March.

“You know how difficult this season has been for us,” Poyet told Sky Sports. “It’s been really tough, so to have a day of football like today is great for everybody.

“I know for Man United it’s not that good but I think it’s a great story for football, and let’s see if we can go one better.”

Sunderland have lost just once in their last 11 matches under Poyet, and the Black Cats boss praised his players for their response to his appointment as Paolo Di Canio’s successor.

“I’m trying to do my best, trying to convince the players that we are getting better,” he said.

“The players have been outstanding. They’ve been trying hard to learn, to adapt to what I want and the way we need to play, so credit to them.

“It’s going to be an incredible task in the final. We’re going to have to be at our best and hope that Manchester City have a bad day, be very organised and take out chances.

“The idea is to make the fans proud as well and if we compete like today, we’ll have a chance.”