Marc Guehi's reaction to being denied Man City Carabao Cup final medal says it all

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Marc Guehi was full of pride for his Manchester City colleagues while watching them receive their Carabao Cup winners' medals. This was despite not being able to get one himself.

Guehi, 25, was prevented from featuring at Wembley Stadium in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal. The January transfer arrival wasn't barred due to being cup-tied , despite having already appeared in the competition this season prior to his move from Crystal Palace shortly after Christmas .

Had this been the reason, fellow January acquisition Antoine Semenyo would have likewise been prohibited from competing beneath the Wembley arch. Rather, the England international was ruled out of the final because he wasn't registered at the club ahead of the first leg of City's semi-final showdown with Newcastle United.

Semenyo was eligible to participate because he was signed and registered prior to the encounter against the Magpies.

Consequently, Guehi was unable to take part in the final against Mikel Arteta's outfit. Based on his latest social media activity, the centre-back was gutted he couldn't contribute to City's ninth League Cup success.

He shared a slow-motion clip of City players lifting the League Cup trophy aloft during their celebrations in the Wembley stands. Guehi also added the caption: "What a team and performance. So proud of the boys."

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Prior to the final, Guardiola made his frustration regarding Guehi's exclusion from the semi-final and final matches in the competition abundantly clear. In his press conference, the Catalan said: "Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup (EFL) that Marc can play the final.

"I don't understand why he cannot play the final. Hopefully we make a letter. You buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play for a rule I don't understand. Hopefully they can change it. It is difficult to understand."

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Instead, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake were entrusted to anchor City's defence. The Uzbekistani and Dutchman delivered a flawless performance against the Premier League leaders.

City triumphed thanks to a spectacular brace from Nico O'Reilly, who stole the spotlight with his surging runs into the box from left-back. Following the match, a delighted Guardiola said: "For James [Trafford] it was the first final he played.

"[Abdukodir] Khusanov just a year here, Nico O'Reilly has impressed me in his first full season and Antoine [Semenyo] played his first final. There are many players who have had a first experience but that is good, that's what we need. That tells us okay we can do it.

"Still we are much better than last season but not the team we should be. That requires time. Hopefully next season and the end of this season we can do it."

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