Manchester City won the Carabao Cup as Nico O’Reilly’s double clinched a 2-0 win over Arsenal to end their hopes of a quadruple.
The full-back’s goals, both headers, came in the space of four second-half minutes to leave Arsenal stunned and clinch a record fifth League Cup success for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, selected ahead of Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, was at fault for the opener as he allowed Rayan Cherki’s right-wing cross to squirm through his hands, leaving O’Reilly with an open goal at the far post.
Arsenal’s first cup final appearance since their 2020 FA Cup triumph went from bad to worse when O’Reilly headed home another cross, this time from Matheus Nunes, to spark more City celebrations.
Arsenal hit the woodwork twice, through substitutes Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus, as they tried to rally, but Manchester City showed their greater experience as they saw out the closing stages to leave their opponents’ quadruple hopes in tatters.
The afternoon had started positively for Arsenal as they forced James Trafford, who enjoyed a contrasting afternoon to his opposite number in goal, into an early triple save as he denied Kai Havertz before blocking two Bukayo Saka follow-up efforts.
But after an even first half, Guardiola’s side seized control of the game in the second period, pinning Arsenal in their own half before the pressure told in a dizzying four-minute spell which may have repercussions in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners are nine points clear of their rivals at the top of the table, but Manchester City have a game in hand.
O’Reilly: Unbelievable feeling to win final
Man City defender Nico O’Reilly speaking to Sky Sports: “Unbelievable feeling to win a final and beat this team. We know how good they are.
“Now we need to build on it. It will give us good momentum. I’m buzzing with today.
“A bit of disbelief seeing all the fans cheering like that when I scored those goals. A really good feeling, a great birthday weekend.
“Since I was a kid, I was playing in midfield and arriving in the box, scoring goals. To bring it to the highest level, it’s good for me, adds to my game and it’s a great feeling.”
Redknapp: Kepa decision backfired big time
Jamie Redknapp speaking on Sky Sports: “I know people will say it’s sentiment and he played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya. That’s why he is the number two.
“So why, in a major cup final when you’re trying to get across the line and you’ve not won a trophy in so long, do you decide to play him? You have to take responsibility for that. That is a monumental error.
“He’s not a bad goalkeeper but he’s not as good as Raya. It has backfired big time.
“You could say Trafford isn’t the number one either but he made three really good saves and after that, hardly had to touch the ball. It was easy for him.
“It’s not me being wise after the event, I said it before the game.”
Pep makes League Cup history
- Manchester City have won the League Cup for the fifth time under Pep Guardiola, the most of any manager in the competition’s history, overtaking Brian Clough, Alex Ferguson, and Jose Mourinho all on four.
- Arsenal have lost each of their last four League Cup finals. They are now on the outright longest run of finals without taking home the trophy by any side in the competition’s history.
- Manchester City have won the League Cup for the ninth time. They are now just one behind the all-time competition leaders Liverpool (10). The Citizens have won the tournament in seven of the last 13 seasons.
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