Burton vs Manchester City: Pep Guardiola challenges players to pick up 'habit' of reaching finals

City have reached back-to-back EFL Cup finals and four in the last six seasons

Pep Guardiola told his Manchester City players to develop a “habit” for reaching finals after overcoming Burton Albion in their EFL Cup semi-final by a 10-0 aggregate scoreline.

The holders will now play either Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea in the Wembley showpiece next month, which will be their fourth EFL Cup final in the last six seasons.

City’s past is not quite as trophy-laden as those of their rivals at the summit of English football, however, with only 16 major honours to their name in their 139-year history.

Guardiola has often cited the importance of building a successful history at City in order for the club to compete long-term with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool and he reiterated those calls on Wednesday night after the final whistle at the Pirelli Stadium.

“Protect the habit. The habit of getting into the final,” he said, after City’s place at Wembley next month was confirmed.

“I know it's a competition, with all respect, that when you win and you are in the final you are so happy but when you're out you're not sad. It's completely different in other competitions.

“But once we are there, we take every game seriously and we are in the final. We won already one title this season, Community Shield. We are in the final and we are of course going to try to win it.

“It will not be easy because Tottenham and Chelsea are incredible teams like [City’s 2018 EFL Cup final opponents] Arsenal was last season but we are going to try.

“Everybody wants to play, that is a good signal. Why should we not try to do it well and arrive at the final? We've made back-to-back in this competition.

“People say: 'No the club, this team, they lack consistency'. That's completely the opposite.

“I think we showed that when we arrive in the final, and in this competition next season if we are in final again it’s because every game is important.”