Manchester City dominates Arsenal and wins the English League Cup…

The first major national trophy of the season is that of Manchester City. And, after the 2-0 win against Arsenal in the English League Cup final on Sunday, it may not be the last.

Manchester-born Nico O’Reilly sealed the victory with both second-half goals at Wembley Stadium. The victory could also have dealt a psychological blow in the race for the Premier League title, as Pep Guardiola aims to chase Arsenal’s nine-point lead at the top of the table.

“(It’s an) incredible feeling to win a final and beat this team. We know how good they are,” O’Reilly told Sky Sports. “We need to work on this now, it will give us momentum.”

This was serial trophy winner Guardiola flexing his muscles. It was his sixteenth major trophy as City manager and a record fifth League Cup. He won 34 titles in his coaching career, including his time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

And, once again, he was stifling the ambitions of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who had twice beaten his former assistant to the league title in recent years.

“I’m really happy because I know the opponent we faced. Mikel has created a team that is almost unbeatable,” Guardiola said. “Every time you win a title it seems more difficult than in the past. It’s really difficult for so many reasons.”

Arsenal remain favorites to be crowned league champions this season for the first time since 2004, given their big lead. But with second-placed City having a game in hand and teams still to face in Manchester at the Etihad Stadium, the picture could look very different in the coming weeks.

City’s victory also ended Arsenal’s bid to win an unprecedented quadruple trophy by an English team this season, including the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

“I’m very sad. It’s very difficult to accept, especially for our players and our fans because we know how much it means to them and how much we want it,” Arteta said. “We will manage that energy in the right way and we will have to deal with that pain and that disappointment. It’s normal and it’s part of football.”

The 21-year-old O’Reilly, who grew up in City’s youth system, was the unlikely hero with both goals from the left-back.

He took advantage of Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s fumble to head City ahead on the hour mark. And four minutes later he headed in a second to effectively seal the match.

“My whole family came today (to watch)… I know they’re going to be buzzing and I can’t wait to see them,” O’Reilly said.

Arteta said he had no regrets about choosing Kepa – who had played in the previous rounds – rather than first-choice David Raya. [AP]

Related