Manchester City EFL Cup history ahead of Wembley showpiece vs Arsenal

Manchester City are chasing a ninth EFL Cup title, which would move them one step closer to catching record winners Liverpool (10) at the top of the all-time winners ranking.

The Cityzens have steamrolled through the tournament, swatting aside opponents without breaking a sweat, including a 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle United in the semi-final.

Despite being the second most successful club in EFL Cup history, City haven’t reached the final since their last triumph in 2021, when they edged Tottenham Hotspur 1-0.

City manager Pep Guardiola is also looking to cement his place as the most successful manager in the competition’s history.

The Spaniard already has four titles to his name (level with Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Jose Mourinho) and securing another will set an English record.

Interestingly, the EFL Cup was the first title Guardiola won as City manager, beating Arsenal 3-0 in 2018.

This will be the first time both sides are facing off in the EFL Cup final since that contest, which also kick-started City’s remarkable run of four consecutive title wins between 2018 and 2021.

Read on as we explore City’s EFL Cup record as they chase another spot in the history books.

Manchester City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion (AET) – 1970

City won their first EFL Cup title during the club’s golden era. They had won the First Division title two years before and the FA Cup 12 months prior.

They claimed victories over Southport, Liverpool, Everton, and Queens Park Rangers before beating arch rivals Manchester United over two legs to book a spot in the final against West Bromwich Albion.

Goals from Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe helped City overturn Jeff Astle’s early strike to secure a 2-1 win after extra time.

Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United – 1976

City celebrated their second EFL Cup win six years on from their first, beating Newcastle United 2-1 in the final to lift the title at Wembley Stadium.

It was a significant milestone for City and for manager Tony Book, who became the first man to win the EFL Cup as both a player and a manager.

Manchester City 3-1 Sunderland – 2014

Since marking a few milestones with their victory in 1976, City had to wait nearly four decades before getting their hands on the EFL Cup title again.

Goals from Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, and Jesus Navas rendered Fabio Borini’s early strike as a mere consolation as City ran out 3-1 winners.

That turned out to be their first title in a double-winning campaign.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (3-1 on penalties) – 2016

City reclaimed the EFL Cup in 2016 after beating Liverpool in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

After playing out a 1-1 draw with Brazilian duo Fernandinho and Philippe Coutinho cancelling each other out, both sides couldn’t be separated in extra time.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero turned out to be City’s hero, saving three spot-kicks to help the Cityzens bag a fourth EFL Cup title.

Manchester City 3-0 Arsenal – 2018

Guardiola announced his arrival in English football as his side put in a vintage performance to swat aside Arsenal en route to a thumping 3-0 victory at Wembley.

Not only did it kickstart a remarkable four-year winning run, but City also hit the 100-point mark in the Premier League in the same campaign.

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City (3-4 on pens) – 2019

After playing out a goalless draw across 120 minutes against Chelsea at Wembley, City ultimately won 4-3 on penalties.

That result marked back-to-back victories in the EFL Cup and a fourth title in six years.

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City – 2020

City made it three in a row the following year after claiming a 2-1 win against Aston Villa.

First-half goals from Aguero and Rodri were enough to seal a narrow victory despite Mbwanna Samatta’s late first-half effort.

Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur – 2021

City sealed a fourth consecutive EFL Cup title with a 1-0 win against Tottenham, with Aymeric Laporte’s header sealing the deal for Guardiola’s side.

It was also a record-equalling title triumph for the Cityzens at the time, but they’ve since lost ground to Liverpool and will hope to close the gap when they take on Arsenal.