LONDON: Nico O’Reilly scored twice in five stunning second-half minutes to fire Manchester City to victory in the League Cup final on Sunday and derail Arsenal’s quadruple bid, reported PA Media/dpa.
Stand-in Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga gifted City their first when he fumbled Rayan Cherki’s cross on the hour mark, with O’Reilly on hand to head home from close range.
A rampant City then doubled their advantage just four minutes later after O’Reilly converted Matheus Nunes’ cross to send Pep Guardiola dancing along the touchline.
Riccardo Calafiori hit a post and Gabriel Jesus struck the crossbar as Arsenal went in search of a response, but City saw out the victory as Guardiola landed the 19th trophy of his remarkable 10-season City tenure.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal headed into Sunday’s final hoping to finish the season with an unprecedented four trophies, as well as ending their six-year wait for silverware.
Sunday’s damaging defeat at Wembley will do little to shake Tottenham Hotspur’s reputation as the “nearly men” and raises serious questions about the rest of their campaign. – BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
