Nico O’Reilly brace helps Manchester City beat Arsenal as Pep Guardiola sets Carabao Cup record | OneFootball

Manchester City claimed a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal threatened first in the seventh minute when Kai Havertz was slipped in behind, but James Trafford smothered the chance.

The ball fell nicely to Bukayo Saka, whose effort was kept out twice by Trafford.

Viktor Gyokeres thought he had been put through on goal from a header just after the half-hour mark, only for Nathan Ake to make a last-ditch tackle to clear the danger.

Arsenal fashioned another opportunity from a corner in the 38th minute. Bukayo Saka swung it across to Piero Hincapie, who headed over.

City’s first real opening came in the 44th minute when Antoine Semenyo drove to the byline. He delivered a cross for the towering Erling Braut Haaland, who could not keep his header down.

Semenyo created another good opening in the 58th minute after cutting inside, but curled his effort wide.

City’s early wave of pressure in the second half finally paid off as they broke the deadlock on the hour mark.

Rayan Cherki delivered a cross into the area, which was spilt by Kepa Arrizabalaga. The ball fell kindly to Nico O’Reilly, who headed it into the net.

O’Reilly doubled City’s lead with a brilliant header to the far corner from Matheus Nunes’ cross, prompting wild celebrations from Pep Guardiola on the touchline.

The England international is now the third youngest player to score twice in a League Cup final, after Wayne Rooney and Ronnie Whelan.

Riccardo Calafiori came close to pulling one back for Arsenal in the 78th minute, but his effort flicked off the post.

City saw out the game comfortably to secure the first major silverware of the season.

Pep Guardiola has now won the Carabao Cup five times, the most by any manager in the competition’s history.