Topics: EFL Cup, Carabao Cup, Manchester City, Aston Villa
The Etihad outfit has won the competition thrice in succession.

Pep Guardiola has entered the EFL Cup's history books after his Manchester City side retained the EFL Cup for the third consecutive season. The Spanish manager became the first coach after Liverpool's Bob Paisley to achieve the feat after a remarkable performance by the Citizens resulted in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday.

Needless to say, it was not a walk in the park for the defending champions as Villa turned up to make the final a real contest. Sergio Aguero was the first to get on the score-sheet in the 20th minute by turning home an assist from Phil Foden before Rodri headed in City's second 10 minutes later. The latter's goal in particular sparked controversy at Wembley as it was as a result of his side wrongfully earning a corner-kick instead of a goal-kick in favor of Aston Villa.

Four minutes to the end of the first half, Mbwana Samatta give his side a glimmer of hope for a comeback which never was. In the nervy climax of the affair, Villa almost forced the game in extra-time but ended up hitting the post. The final outcome of the day's encounter meant that Manchester City has now won all the six finals it has featured in under Pep Guardiola.

The Citizens now have three League Cups, two Community Shields and one FA Cup to show for with the reign of Pep Guardiola still yielding dividends. For the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, the latest fate is one to savor as aside Liverpool, who won the EFL Cup four times in a row between 1980 and 1984, no club has ever secured the title thrice in row.

Regarding his status among the greatest managers in the history of the England's oldest cup competition, Guardiola is now one title short of that of Sir Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough and Jose Mourinho.