Manchester City lifted the Carabao Cup following a dominant 2-0 victory over Arsenal at Wembley, which ended the Gunners’ hopes of a historic quadruple.
Nico O’Reilly scored twice in the second half to secure Pep Guardiola’s side their first trophy of the season and their first Carabao Cup since 2021.
While Arsenal threatened early on, City grew into the game and finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark when O’Reilly capitalised on a mistake from Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, before adding a second four minutes later.
City’s victory ended Arsenal’s 14-game unbeaten run across all competitions, with the Gunners’ previous defeat coming in a 3-2 Premier League loss to Manchester United on January 25.
Marc Guehi Missed Carabao Cup Trophy Lift
marc guehi
Eagle-eyed Man City fans noticed that defender Marc Guehi did not join his teammates in lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
The England centre-back was ineligible to play in the final due to a rule change introduced this season, which allows players to represent two clubs in the same campaign only if the transfer is completed before the first leg of the semi-finals.
Guehi, who joined City from Crystal Palace after their first-leg semi-final against Newcastle United in January, was therefore unable to play or receive a winner’s medal.
While he did not participate in the trophy lift in the stands, Guehi joined his Man City teammates in celebrations on the pitch afterwards.
City paid £20m for Guehi's arrival from Crystal Palace in January, with the defender signing a five-and-a-half-year contract.
Guehi captained Palace to an FA Cup victory last season and to the Community Shield triumph at Wembley last August.
Pep Guardiola Makes League Cup History
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after the match vs Newcastle
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has now won more League Cup titles than any other manager, surpassing Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho with his fifth victory on Sunday.
The Catalan tactician led City to a League Cup win for the first time since 2021, following an unprecedented run of four consecutive victories in the competition.
Sunday’s triumph at Wembley also means Guardiola has now won more League Cups than Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger combined — five compared with four.
Guardiola has now secured at least one trophy in every season as City manager, except his first campaign in 2016-17.
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Manchester City ended Arsenal’s quadruple hopes as they lifted the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory at Wembley.