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TUESDAY | MAR 24, 2026

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Unexpected glory Guardiola didn’t believe City could beat ‘best team in Europe’ Arsenal

Man City’s Nico O’Reilly poses with the trophy as City players celebrate after the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium yesterday. O’Reilly scored both goals as City won 2-0. – AFPPIC

P EP GUARDIOLA said even he would not have put a pound on Manchester City to beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final as he savoured an unexpected win over what he called one of the best teams in Europe. Nico O’Reilly’s second half brace earned Guardiola a record fifth League Cup and he said his side were “unbelievably good” after the break at Wembley. Guardiola claimed his team had surprised him – and that the display of O’Reilly, in particu lar, was a pleasant shock after the leftback turned match-winner. “Always winning a title is difficult so it’s a joy and the satisfaction as well (beating) the best team in Europe, alongside Bayern Munich and maybe Barcelona,” he said. “Not even me gave one pound to the victory today. We could not win against Nottingham Forest home or West Ham away, (lost) 5-1 aggre gate against (Real) Madrid, for the fact we had 10 against 11 for 75 minutes (in the second leg against Real), but the players prove themselves again. “Today we achieved it, especially without the ball and with the ball in the second half was unbelievably good. I could not believe how unbelievably good we had done in the second half.” Guardiola does not believe City’s win will have any effect on the title race, even though Arsenal have to visit the Etihad Stadium on 19 April. He added: “I would like to be nine points in

burns as fiercely as ever. The Spaniard was lost in the moment as he pumped his fists in delight towards City’s jubi lant supporters, the significance of the victory underlined by the crushing bearhugs he gave his players and backroom staff after the final whis tle. “I wanted another yellow card and that is why I did it,” joked Guardiola when quizzed about his celebration. “If I can’t celebrate in the moment against a team like Arsenal, and the way we were playing… my emotions are related to the way we are play ing. “I am not artificially intelligent, I am a human being, and I want to celebrate. It was not showing disrespect to Arsenal or for the other fans, I just celebrated with my people. And when I feel it, I express it.” Whether this result has wider ramifications remains to be seen. Will it fuel City for a late rally in the League? Will the disappointment of this defeat derail Arsenal? City must hope it has inflicted psychological damage on Arsenal. The Gunners must regroup and show the reserves of strength that have sus tained their season. What is beyond doubt is the better – much better – team prevailed on this day. City may not have the relentless consistency of the Guardiola team that won four successive Premier Leagues, but this latter-day rebuilt ver sion still looks the best football team in the coun try when they get it right. – The Independent/ Agencies

front to fight for the Premier League. I don’t think it will have an impact. It is a different competition and they will be more concerned when they come to the Etihad.” But Phil Foden believes City’s win yesterday could give them a platform to catch Arteta’s team and win the League. “It’s still possible to do, we still believe in it,” he said. “It’s just small steps in the right direc tion. Everyone’s buzzing. “Obviously it could be a big turning point in the season. It’s definitely a big confidence boost as well coming into the rest of the season.” Foden was a late substitute as his goal drought extended to a 20th game. However, he has lost his place in the side and has not started any of City’s last five matches. He has nevertheless kept his spot in the England squad and will link up with Thomas Tuchel’s team as he tries to earn a place in the World Cup. And he said: “Football sometimes is not straightforward. There are ups and downs and sometimes you can’t be the best version of your self and that’s the way it is. “It’s just about how you pick yourself back up. I’m still keeping my head down, trying to train as well as I can every day and hopefully I come back after the internationals a lot sharper and hopefully I can get more minutes and be back to where I was at the start of the season.” Guardiola’s wild run and dance down Wembley’s touchline demonstrated the hunger for success remains and his competitive fire still

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