O'Reilly the hero as Manchester City see off Arsenal to lift EFL Cup

Arsenal were making their first appearance in a Carabao Cup final for eight years and they began the game with real intent as Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were both stopped by an outstanding triple save from James Trafford.

City were thankful for that escape and they slowly took control of the game with Antoine Semenyo getting past Piero Hincapie easily yet his promising cross was just a bit too high for Erling Haaland waiting in the area.

Pep Guardiola's team kept possession as the opening half went on but they struggled to create clear opportunities while Arsenal's backline stayed solid as ever.

Just before the interval the Cityzens found a chance when Haaland nodded a header wide from close range following some fine play by the energetic Semenyo.

Momentum built for City at the start of the second half and their attacking play almost brought a goal as Jeremy Doku stole the ball from Kepa Arrizabalaga only for the Arsenal keeper to foul the Belgian and pick up a booking.

The pressure kept coming and City rightly went ahead on the hour when Rayan Cherki's delivery slipped past Kepa leaving O’Reilly free to head into an unguarded goal from close in.

With their superiority now reflected on the scoreline City added a second goal soon after as O’Reilly outjumped Saka to powerfully head in Matheus Nunes' cross at the far post.

Keen to hit back Mikel Arteta brought on Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori and the Italian almost made an instant difference by striking a shot against the outside of the upright.

Arsenal pushed hard for a way back but Gabriel's header clipped the crossbar while City stood strong in the final minutes to secure the win and their ninth Carabao Cup title.

This success marks Pep Guardiola's 19th honour with City while Arsenal's drought for silverware since 2020 continues with dreams of a quadruple now in ruins.