2018 EFL Cup final

{{Infobox football match

| title = 2018 EFL Cup Final

| image = 2018 Carabao Final programme.jpg

| caption = Match programme cover

| event = 2017–18 EFL Cup

| team1 = Arsenal

| team1score = 0

| team2 = Manchester City

| team2score = 3

| details =

| date = {{Start date|2018|2|25|df=yes}}

| stadium = Wembley Stadium

| city = London

| man_of_the_match1a = Vincent Kompany {{nowrap|(Manchester City)}}{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/february/review-manchester-city-crowned-2018-champions/|title=Review: Manchester City crowned 2018 Carabao Cup Champions|publisher=English Football League|website=efl.com|date=25 February 2018|access-date=26 February 2018}}

| referee = Craig Pawson {{nowrap|(South Yorkshire)}}

| attendance = 85,671

| weather =

| previous = 2017

| next = 2019

}}

The 2018 EFL Cup Final (also known as the 2018 Carabao Cup Final for sponsorship reasons) was the final association football match of the 2017–18 EFL Cup that took place on 25 February 2018 at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web |title=Key Dates |url=https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/key-dates/ |publisher=English Football League |access-date=22 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002184017/https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/key-dates/ |archive-date=2 October 2017 }} It was the first League Cup final contested under the "Carabao Cup" name following the sponsorship of Carabao Energy Drink. It was contested between Manchester City and Arsenal, and won 3–0 by Manchester City. They would have entered the second qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, but instead qualified directly for the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League by finishing first in the 2017–18 Premier League.{{cite web |url=https://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/AccessList2018.html |title=Preliminary Access List 2018/19 |publisher=UEFA |via=Kassiesa |date=26 August 2016 |access-date=23 January 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222120724/https://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/AccessList2018.html |archive-date=22 December 2017 }}

The match was Manchester City's sixth League Cup Final, and their third in five seasons{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/bristol-c-vs-man-city/report/386991 |title=Bristol City 2–3 Manchester City (Agg 3–5): Pep Guardiola's side reach Carabao Cup final |publisher=Sky Sports |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124014758/http://www.skysports.com/football/bristol-c-vs-man-city/report/386991 |archive-date=24 January 2018 }} – qualification for the final also marked the first time Pep Guardiola reached a final with Manchester City.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4349/main/2018/01/23/41981682/bristol-city-2-manchester-city-3-3-5-agg-guardiola-through |title=Bristol City 2 Manchester City 3 (3–5 agg): Guardiola through to first English final |work=goal.com |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126070626/http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4349/main/2018/01/23/41981682/bristol-city-2-manchester-city-3-3-5-agg-guardiola-through |archive-date=26 January 2018 }} For Arsenal, the final was their eighth total in the competition,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42713408 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2018 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124233821/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42713408 |archive-date=24 January 2018 }} and their third of Arsène Wenger's managerial reign.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/fa-cup/2016-2017/arsene-wengers-record-in-finals-with-arsenal-ahead-of-fa-cup-showdown-with-chelsea_sto6179356/story.shtml |title=FA Cup: Arsene Wenger’s record in finals at Arsenal ahead of Wembley showdown with Chelsea |publisher=Eurosport |date=25 May 2017 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701112357/http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/fa-cup/2016-2017/arsene-wengers-record-in-finals-with-arsenal-ahead-of-fa-cup-showdown-with-chelsea_sto6179356/story.shtml |archive-date=1 July 2017 }}

Route to the final

The EFL Cup is a cup competition open to clubs in the Premier League and English Football League. It is played on a knockout basis, with the exception of the semi-finals, which are contested over a two-legged tie.

=Manchester City=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0" ! scope="col" style="width:25px;"\| Round ! scope="col" style="width:120px;"\| Opposition ! scope="col" style="width:90px;"\| Score
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|3rd \| West Bromwich Albion (A) \| 2–1
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|4th \| Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) \| 0–0 (4–1 p.)
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|5th \| Leicester City F.C. (A) \| 1–1 (4–3 p.)
scope=row style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" \|Semi-final \| Bristol City (H) \| 2–1
Bristol City (A) \| 3–2
colspan="3" style="background:white;"\| Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0"

! scope="col" style="width:25px;"| Round

! scope="col" style="width:120px;"| Opposition

! scope="col" style="width:90px;"| Score

scope=row style="text-align:center"|3rd

| West Bromwich Albion (A)

| 2–1

scope=row style="text-align:center"|4th

| Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

| 0–0 (4–1 p.)

scope=row style="text-align:center"|5th

| Leicester City F.C. (A)

| 1–1 (4–3 p.)

scope=row style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" |Semi-final

| Bristol City (H)

| 2–1

Bristol City (A)

| 3–2

colspan="3" style="background:white;"| Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Manchester City, a Premier League club involved in the UEFA Champions League, started their League Cup campaign in the third round, where they had been drawn away to fellow divisional opponents West Bromwich Albion. At The Hawthorns, winger Leroy Sané scored twice to give City a 2–1 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41249726|title=West Bromwich Albion 1–2 Manchester City|date=20 September 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926081420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41249726|archive-date=26 September 2017}} In the fourth round they faced Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers at home. The visitors defended well and became the first team to keep a clean sheet against the Premier League leaders.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41647096|title=Man City 0–0 Wolves (aet, 4–1 on pens)|date=24 October 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217014839/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41647096|archive-date=17 February 2018}} Neither side scored after normal and extra time meaning the tie was decided by a penalty shoot-out. City progressed as 4–1 winners.

For the quarter-finals, Manchester City were drawn away to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Midfielder Bernardo Silva scored for the visitors, but deep into added time, striker Jamie Vardy equalised for Leicester from the penalty spot. The game finished 1–1 and much like the previous round City needed penalties to progress, winning the shoot-out 4–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42318865|title=Leicester City 1–1 Manchester City (3–4 pens)|date=19 December 2017|access-date=25 January 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222180418/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42318865|archive-date=22 December 2017}} The semi-final pitted Manchester City against Championship side Bristol City. The first leg played at the Etihad Stadium saw the visitors take the lead towards the end of the first half, having been awarded a penalty that Bobby Reid converted. Kevin De Bruyne equalised for Manchester City and in injury time his teammate Sergio Agüero scored the winner to put the team firmly in control of the tie.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42537815|title=Manchester City 2–1 Bristol City|date=25 January 2018|access-date=25 January 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112205142/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42537815|archive-date=12 January 2018}} Bristol City scored twice at Ashton Gate in the return leg, but Manchester City progressed to the final having won by three goals and recording a 5–3 aggregate score.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/42709985|title=FT: Bristol City 2–3 Man City — Guardiola reaches first final in England|date=25 January 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125020206/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/42709985|archive-date=25 January 2018}}

=Arsenal=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0" ! scope="col" style="width:25px;"\| Round ! scope="col" style="width:140px;"\| Opposition ! scope="col" style="width:70px;"\| Score
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|3rd \| Doncaster Rovers (H) \| 1–0
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|4th \| Norwich City (H) \| 2–1 (a.e.t.)
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|5th \| West Ham United (H) \| 1–0
scope=row style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" \|Semi-final \| Chelsea (A) \| 0–0
Chelsea (H) \| 2–1
colspan="3" style="background:white;"\| Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0"

! scope="col" style="width:25px;"| Round

! scope="col" style="width:140px;"| Opposition

! scope="col" style="width:70px;"| Score

scope=row style="text-align:center"|3rd

| Doncaster Rovers (H)

| 1–0

scope=row style="text-align:center"|4th

| Norwich City (H)

| 2–1 (a.e.t.)

scope=row style="text-align:center"|5th

| West Ham United (H)

| 1–0

scope=row style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" |Semi-final

| Chelsea (A)

| 0–0

Chelsea (H)

| 2–1

colspan="3" style="background:white;"| Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Arsenal, like Manchester City were involved in Europe (UEFA Europa League) and entered the League Cup in the third round. They were drawn at home against Football League One side Doncaster Rovers. At the Emirates Stadium, Theo Walcott's goal in the 25th minute was enough to settle the outcome in favour of Arsenal.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41249728 |title=Arsenal 1–0 Doncaster Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2017 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921161905/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41249728 |archive-date=21 September 2017 }} In the next round they faced Championship club Norwich City at home. Arsenal progressed with a 2–1 win after extra time after Eddie Nketiah was brought on as a substitute and scored his first two goals for the club.{{cite web |author=Gerry Cox, The Emirates |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/24/arsenal-2-norwich-1-eddie-nketiah-becomes-instant-hit-brace/ |title=Arsenal 2 Norwich 1 (AET): Eddie Nketiah becomes instant hit with brace to spare blushes in cup comeback |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 October 2017 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012903/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/24/arsenal-2-norwich-1-eddie-nketiah-becomes-instant-hit-brace/ |archive-date=26 January 2018 }}

Arsenal played against West Ham United in the quarter-finals, where at home they won 1–0 thanks to a goal from Danny Welbeck.{{cite web |last=O'Keeffe |first=Greg |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42318861 |title=Arsenal 1–0 West Ham United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2017 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207110540/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42318861 |archive-date=7 February 2018 }} The semi-finals pitted Arsenal against London rivals Chelsea. After a goalless first leg at Stamford Bridge,{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2018/01/10/41648562/chelsea-0-arsenal-0-stamford-bridge-stalemate-leaves-efl-cup |title=Chelsea 0–0 Arsenal |work=goal.com |access-date=26 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083815/http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2018/01/10/41648562/chelsea-0-arsenal-0-stamford-bridge-stalemate-leaves-efl-cup |archive-date=27 January 2018 }} Arsenal progressed to the final after a 2–1 win at the Emirates Stadium due to an own goal from Chelsea's Antonio Rüdiger and a goal from Granit Xhaka.{{cite web |last=Emons |first=Michael |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42713408 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea (2–1 agg) |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124233821/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42713408 |archive-date=24 January 2018 }} As a result, Arsenal reached the final without leaving London as four of their five games were at home, with the away leg of the semi-final being played in London.{{cite web |author=Ryan Kelly |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/when-is-the-carabao-cup-final-date-venue-and-everything-you-need-/7b1we1sbinfb1aojbscfn9dze |title=When is the Carabao Cup final? Date, venue and everything you need to know |work=goal.com |access-date=4 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205000739/http://www.goal.com/en/news/when-is-the-carabao-cup-final-date-venue-and-everything-you-need-/7b1we1sbinfb1aojbscfn9dze |archive-date=5 February 2018 }} Their tally of six goals on their way to the final represented the lowest goal-tally of any side to reach a League Cup final.{{cite web |author=Peter Smith |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/11221547/arsenal-2-1-chelsea-talking-points-as-gunners-reach-carabao-cup-final |title=Talking points as Gunners reach Carabao Cup final |publisher=Sky Sports |date=24 January 2018 |access-date=19 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220033433/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/11221547/arsenal-2-1-chelsea-talking-points-as-gunners-reach-carabao-cup-final |archive-date=20 February 2018 }}

Match

=Summary=

In the 18th minute of the match Sergio Agüero opened the scoring when he ran in on goal and lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper David Ospina with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area after an initial clash with Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi who appealed for a foul.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/02/25/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-carabao-cup-final-live-score-updates/|title=Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3: Pep Guardiola lifts League Cup as Arsene Wenger's side are swatted aside|date=25 February 2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=26 February 2018}}

Vincent Kompany got the second in the 58th minute. A corner from the right by Kevin De Bruyne found İlkay Gündoğan on the edge of the penalty area, and his low shot was diverted into the net by Kompany with his left leg from seven yards out. David Silva got the third in the 65th minute when he shot low across and past the goalkeeper with his left foot from inside the left of the penalty area from seven yards out.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/feb/25/arsenal-v-manchester-city-carabao-cup-final-live|title=Arsenal 0 Man City 3: as it happened|date=25 February 2018|work=Guardian|access-date=26 February 2018}}

=Details=

{{Football box

|date = {{Start date|2018|2|25|df=y}}

|time = 16:30 GMT

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 0–3

|report = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43101681

|team2 = Manchester City

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

Agüero {{goal|18}}
Kompany {{goal|58}}
D. Silva {{goal|65}}

|stadium = Wembley Stadium, London

|attendance = 85,671

|referee = Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

}}

width=92%

{{Football kit

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|leftarm = c70514

|body = c70514

|rightarm = c70514

|shorts = FFFFFF

|socks = FF0000

|title = Arsenal

}}

|{{Football kit

|pattern_la = _mancity1718h

|pattern_b = _mancity1718h

|pattern_ra = _mancity1718h

|pattern_sh = _mancity1718h

|pattern_so = _mancity1718h

|leftarm = 71AFFA

|body = 71AFFA

|rightarm = 71AFFA

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|socks = 71AFFA

|title = {{nowrap|Manchester City}}

}}

width=25\|	width=25\|
width="100%" \|valign="top" width="40%"\| {\| style="font-size:90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
GK	13	{{flagicon\|COL}} David Ospina
CB	21	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Calum Chambers	{{yel\|47}}	{{suboff\|65}}
CB	20	{{flagicon\|GER}} Shkodran Mustafi
CB	6	{{flagicon\|FRA}} Laurent Koscielny (c)
RM	24	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Héctor Bellerín	{{yel\|24}}
CM	10	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Jack Wilshere	{{yel\|88}}
CM	29	{{flagicon\|SUI}} Granit Xhaka
LM	18	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Nacho Monreal		{{suboff\|26}}
RW	11	{{flagicon\|GER}} Mesut Özil
LW	8	{{flagicon\|WAL}} Aaron Ramsey	{{yel\|32}}	{{suboff\|73}}
CF	14	{{flagicon\|GAB}} Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
colspan=3\|Substitutes:
GK	33	{{flagicon\|CZE}} Petr Čech
DF	4	{{flagicon\|GER}} Per Mertesacker
DF	31	{{flagicon\|BIH}} Sead Kolašinac		{{subon\|26}}
MF	30	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Ainsley Maitland-Niles
MF	35	{{flagicon\|EGY}} Mohamed Elneny
FW	17	{{flagicon\|NGA}} Alex Iwobi		{{subon\|73}}
FW	23	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Danny Welbeck		{{subon\|65}}
colspan=3\|Manager:
colspan=3\|{{flagicon\|FRA}} Arsène Wenger

|valign="top"|300px

|valign="top" width="50%"|

width=25\|	width=25\|
style="font-size:90%; margin:auto" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
GK	1	{{flagicon\|CHI}} Claudio Bravo
RB	2	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Kyle Walker
CB	4	{{flagicon\|BEL}} Vincent Kompany (c)	{{yel\|80}}
CB	30	{{flagicon\|ARG}} Nicolás Otamendi
LB	3	{{flagicon\|BRA}} Danilo
CM	8	{{flagicon\|GER}} İlkay Gündoğan
CM	25	{{flagicon\|BRA}} Fernandinho	{{yel\|36}}	{{suboff\|52}}
CM	21	{{flagicon\|ESP}} David Silva
RW	17	{{flagicon\|BEL}} Kevin De Bruyne
LW	19	{{flagicon\|GER}} Leroy Sané		{{suboff\|77}}
CF	10	{{flagicon\|ARG}} Sergio Agüero		{{suboff\|89}}
colspan=3\|Substitutes:
GK	31	{{flagicon\|BRA}} Ederson
DF	5	{{flagicon\|ENG}} John Stones
DF	14	{{flagicon\|FRA}} Aymeric Laporte
MF	20	{{flagicon\|POR}} Bernardo Silva		{{subon\|52}}
MF	35	{{flagicon\|UKR}} Oleksandr Zinchenko
MF	47	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Phil Foden		{{subon\|89}}
FW	33	{{flagicon\|BRA}} Gabriel Jesus		{{subon\|77}}
colspan=3\|Manager:
colspan=3\|{{flagicon\|ESP}} Pep Guardiola

style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"

|style="width:40%; vertical-align:top;"|

Man of the Match:

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)

Assistant referees:{{cite news |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/february/match-officials-confirmed-for-carabao-cup-final/ |title=Match Officials confirmed for Carabao Cup Final |website=EFL.com |publisher=English Football League |date=13 February 2018 |access-date=24 February 2018}}

Gary Beswick (Durham)

Adam Nunn (Wiltshire)

Fourth official:

Graham Scott (Berks & Bucks)

Reserve assistant referee:

Ian Hussin (Liverpool)

Video assistant referee:

Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Assistant video assistant referee:

Peter Kirkup (Northamptonshire)

|style="width:60%; vertical-align:top;"|

Match rules{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/carabao-cup/about-the-carabao-cup/carabao-cup-rules--regulations/ |title=Regulations |website=EFL.com |publisher=English Football League |access-date=24 February 2018}}

90 minutes
30 minutes of extra time if necessary
Penalty shoot-out (ABBA) if scores still level
Seven named substitutes, of which up to three may be used; a fourth substituted is allowed in extra time

References

2018

Final

Category:2018 in sport in London

Category:Sports events at Wembley Stadium

EFL Cup

League Cup Final 2018

width=25\|	width=25\|
width="100%" \|valign="top" width="40%"\| {\| style="font-size:90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
GK	13	{{flagicon\|COL}} David Ospina
CB	21	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Calum Chambers	{{yel\|47}}	{{suboff\|65}}
CB	20	{{flagicon\|GER}} Shkodran Mustafi
CB	6	{{flagicon\|FRA}} Laurent Koscielny (c)
RM	24	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Héctor Bellerín	{{yel\|24}}
CM	10	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Jack Wilshere	{{yel\|88}}
CM	29	{{flagicon\|SUI}} Granit Xhaka
LM	18	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Nacho Monreal		{{suboff\|26}}
RW	11	{{flagicon\|GER}} Mesut Özil
LW	8	{{flagicon\|WAL}} Aaron Ramsey	{{yel\|32}}	{{suboff\|73}}
CF	14	{{flagicon\|GAB}} Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
colspan=3\|Substitutes:
GK	33	{{flagicon\|CZE}} Petr Čech
DF	4	{{flagicon\|GER}} Per Mertesacker
DF	31	{{flagicon\|BIH}} Sead Kolašinac		{{subon\|26}}
MF	30	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Ainsley Maitland-Niles
MF	35	{{flagicon\|EGY}} Mohamed Elneny
FW	17	{{flagicon\|NGA}} Alex Iwobi		{{subon\|73}}
FW	23	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Danny Welbeck		{{subon\|65}}
colspan=3\|Manager:
colspan=3\|{{flagicon\|FRA}} Arsène Wenger

2018 EFL Cup final

Route to the final

=Manchester City=

=Arsenal=

Match

=Summary=

=Details=

See also

References