Guardiola’s side claim ninth title at Wembley while Marmoush earns first career honour
Manchester City secured the EFL Cup title with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium, with Nico O’Reilly scoring both goals in a decisive second-half display.
The win marks City’s ninth League Cup triumph and their first since 2021, moving them to second place in the competition’s all-time honours list behind Liverpool FC.
Second-Half Surge Decides Final
After a tightly contested first half, City broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when O’Reilly capitalised on a costly mistake by Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The midfielder reacted quickly to convert the opportunity, giving City the lead in a match that had previously been defined by defensive resilience.
Just five minutes later, O’Reilly struck again, heading home from a cross to double City’s advantage and effectively put the final beyond Arsenal’s reach.
Goalkeepers Shine in Opening Half
The first half had seen strong performances from both goalkeepers, particularly James Trafford, who produced a remarkable early save to deny Arsenal.
In the seventh minute, Trafford blocked three consecutive attempts from inside the penalty area, keeping the score level and setting the tone for a disciplined defensive display.
Both sides maintained a high level of organisation, ensuring that the opening 45 minutes ended without a goal despite several promising attacking moments.
Arsenal’s Late Push Falls Short
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded to going behind by introducing attacking reinforcements, including Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke in the 66th minute.
The changes added urgency to Arsenal’s play, and Calafiori came close to reducing the deficit, only to be denied by another fine save from Trafford in the 73rd minute.
Five minutes later, Calafiori struck the post with a volley, missing a clear opportunity to bring his side back into contention.
Further substitutions followed, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli introduced as Arsenal increased pressure in the closing stages.
In the 88th minute, Arsenal appealed for a penalty involving Gyokeres, but the referee waved away the claims. Moments later, Jesus headed over the crossbar, summing up a frustrating evening for the Gunners.
Milestones for City and Guardiola
The victory represents a significant milestone for City manager Pep Guardiola, who has now won the League Cup five times, having previously lifted the trophy in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Overall, it is the 19th title of Guardiola’s tenure at the club, underlining a sustained period of domestic success.
For Arsenal, the defeat marks their seventh loss in a League Cup final, having won the competition only twice.
Marmoush Claims First Trophy
Although he did not feature in the match, Omar Marmoush celebrated his first title with Manchester City and of his professional career, remaining on the bench throughout the final.
City Extend Cup Pedigree
City’s latest triumph reinforces their status as one of the dominant forces in English domestic cup competitions. Their ability to capitalise on key moments, combined with defensive discipline, proved decisive in securing victory.
For Arsenal, the result highlights missed opportunities and leaves them searching for answers after falling short on another major occasion.
