FootyChatter.com

Nico O'Reilly has scored eight goals this season for Manchester City Nico O'Reilly has a tattoo of the Manchester area code etched on his arm and the Englishman will be the pride of the city following his man-of-the-match showing in his side's brilliant Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal on Sunday. Academy product O'Reilly won the game for City with a pair of second-half headers into the goal in front of his club's ecstatic supporters. For a boyhood City fan to score twice at Wembley Stadium, this fairytale story has produced an unforgettable moment for the player, manager Pep Guardiola and supporters alike. O'Reilly was drafted into the City team last season to aid the squad's injury crisis in defence and has grabbed his opportunity - he now gets his hands on major silverware after delivering a performance that he will never forget. "Unbelievable feeling, " O'Reilly told Sky Sports. "To win a final, to beat this team . .. we know how good they are. We need to build on it, it will give us good momentum. Buzzing with today. " Guardiola said of O'Reilly's impact: "He has been so surprising so far even for me, the season he has done so far has been extraordinary. " Guardiola's dance of joy as Man City pile pressure on desolate Arsenal EFL Cup final: Reaction as O'Reilly double gives Man City Wembley win over Arsenal Cometh the hour, cometh the man - with the '0161' phone code inked on his body, O'Reilly came calling on the big stage when City needed a hero to step up. His first finish was the easiest goal he is likely to score in his career, stooping close to the goalline to head in after Kepa Arrizabalaga fumbled the ball into his path. The second just four minutes later was a brilliantly-placed header from Matheus Nunes' cross, effectively sealing victory for a jubilant Guardiola who performed a jig of delight on the touchline. O'Reilly took the adulation of the City fans after his goals and it will be a double celebration this weekend after turning 21 on Saturday. The only players younger than O'Reilly to score twice in the final of this competition were 20-year-olds Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in 2006 and Liverpool's Ronnie Whelan back in 1982. The Englishman took his goalscoring tally to eight for the season and said: "Bit of disbelief seeing all the fans cheering like that when I scored those goals. Really a good feeling and a great birthday weekend. "My whole family came down today. They are all in the stand and I know they will be buzzing. I can't wait to celebrate with them. " This was O'Reilly's second match-winning double of the season as well, after scoring twice in the 2-1 Premier League win over Newcastle a month ago. Former England defender Matt Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Nico O'Reilly is fast becoming one of the key members in this Manchester City side. He gets the goals, he gets the headlines. He is a player in top form. "Physically, he is a machine. He's got height, he can run, he has got the strength and physicality. " This video can not be played Trafford 'sets the tone', while Kepa suffers 'a bad moment' O'Reilly's timely goals came two days after being named in the England squad for the forthcoming friendlies and in front of a watching Thomas Tuchel. He has looked equally adept whether Guardiola has picked him at left-back or in midfield but on the evidence of these impressive performance, he his playing himself into contention for this summer's World Cup. O'Reilly has earned two international caps so far and his performances will have put him in serious contention for a start when Three Lions boss Tuchel picks his team for the tournament opener against Croatia on 17 June. Former City defender Micah Richards told Sky Sports: "Absolutely outstanding moment for Nico O'Reilly, coming from the academy. "He was a midfielder, but he adapted and learned how to play left-back. It's so good to see what it means to him. " Guardiola added: "When playing in the pocket, [which is] his natural position, every cross he is there. He is strong in the aerial actions especially offensively, [but] defensively he has to improve. "Maybe he was the signing of the season. When we started the season we had a long conversation with him. He started to play at left-back and impressed a lot. "He can play in many roles, he is a guy in the final third in a position he likes. He made two fantastic goals. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Vinicius scores twice as Real beat Atletico in thriller Guardiola's dance of joy as Man City pile pressure on desolate Arsenal 'Impossible for him to stay' - what next for Tudor and Tottenham? Watch every episode of the award-winning gangster saga The true story of Birmingham's most notorious gang Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan discuss their intense new film Cillian Murphy curates a Peaky Blinders mixtape Three golds in 28 minutes - GB make history at World Indoors Guardiola's dance of joy as Man City pile pressure on desolate Arsenal Six touches in the box, six goals - the epitome of clinical? Hodgkinson wins 800m gold in championship record time. Video Hodgkinson wins 800m gold in championship record time New low for 'pathetic' Newcastle - as Sunderland in dreamland Outrun and in decline - are Rosenior's Chelsea near crisis point? Klopp, small shinpads and whether he really is boring - Milner in his own words The indoor evolution threatening to outstrip outdoor golf 'Wowzer! ' - Shoes fly and athletes collide in mixed relay. Video'Wowzer! ' - Shoes fly and athletes collide in mixed relay The race no-one wants to win - are Everton serious top-five contenders? Privilege, criticism & VAR - life as a boxing referee Playing football and being a mum - Man Utd's Bizet's 'two dreams' Cult or culture? Mc Cullum comes full circle following Ashes review Weekly sports quiz: Who is youngest top-flight scorer? Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory. .. Video Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory. .. Afcon final chaos - key questions answered Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.