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London Pulse coach Sam Bird says her side’s ability to keep their cool in tight games will serve them well for the rest of the Netball Super League season after a thrilling 73-63 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Pulse ended Forest’s 100% start to the season with a gritty performance as they won the match in extra time after the scores were level at 53 all at the end of regulation time.

Olivia Tchine, who notched 46 goals, and Sophie Kelly were clinical for Pulse in the additional 10 minutes to give the defending champions their third win of the season.

“We’ve been in tight finals, we’ve been in tight semi-finals, and I just think they’ve learned to stand up in these critical moments,” Bird told BBC Sport.

“Who knows? This could be happening further down the line later in the league.”

Player of the match Kelly was pleased with how Pulse managed to overcome a sluggish start to the contest to emerge victorious.

“We didn’t start good enough. I think we were just lacking a little bit,” she said.

“But I think we can be really proud of ourselves for being able to push on and push over and get that win at the end, especially coming up against Forest who are unbeaten this season.”

Forest coach Chelsea Pitman said the defeat in extra time will be a valuable learning curve for her side.

“I’m obviously disappointed to not come away with the win because I thought we were in control for 58 minutes of that game,” she explained.

“I think you always hear the cliche ‘you learn more from a loss’, but you also learn more about the grit of your team and also you get to see what other teams pull out when it comes to extra time.

Elsewhere in Sunday’s matches Loughborough Lightning beat London Mavericks 66-58 to maintain their 100% start.

Trinidad and Tobago star Samantha Wallace-Joseph led the way for the Lightning with 30 goals while Ella Clark chipped in with nine.

George Inger top scored for the Mavericks with 26 goals but despite only being two points behind Lightning at half-time the London side were unable to overhaul them.

Lightning’s victory gave them a two-point lead over Manchester Thunder at the top of the NSL standings.

Thunder claimed a 58-48 victory over winless Birmingham Panthers, who sit bottom of the table after four matches.

Eleanor Cardwell starred with 31 goals for Thunder while Sophie Fawns played her part with 11.

BBC Sport will show one game per week during the regular season.

These are the games you can watch live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer:

4 April: London Pulse v Birmingham Panthers (17:00 BST)

11 April: Dragons v Birmingham Panthers (16:00)

18 April: Loughborough Lightning v London Mavericks (18:00)

After an injury-blighted first season as Olympic champion, 2026 is about one thing for Keely Hodgkinson: “domination”.

The 24-year-old captured her first world indoor title in commanding fashion as she claimed 800m gold in a championship record time on a historic night for Great Britain in Poland on Sunday.

That success came one month after she smashed the long-standing women’s indoor 800m world record, set by Slovenia’s Jolanda Ceplak on the day the Briton was born in 2002.

The first of two serious hamstring injuries prevented her from attacking that mark 12 months ago, and she was forced to wait 376 days to race again following her crowning moment at Paris 2024.

But Hodgkinson – branded ‘Keely 2.0’ within her training group following her impressive rebuild in the gym – is already making up for lost time.

“My word this year has been domination,” Hodgkinson told BBC Sport.

“When I’m in the shape of my life, why leave it to chance?

“If you want to beat me, I’ll make you work hard for it.”

Hodgkinson made further history by becoming Britain’s first women’s 800m world champion – indoors or outdoors – crossing the line more than a second clear of her rivals in one minute 55.30 seconds.

That triumph wrapped up 28 minutes of success after golds for her training partner Georgia Hunter Bell and pole vaulter Molly Caudery on a sensational Sunday for the British team.

Following Josh Kerr’s 3,000m triumph on Saturday, it guaranteed the British team’s most successful World Indoor Championships of all time, surpassing the three gold medals achieved in 1999.

Hodgkinson reappeared on the track less than an hour after her gold to join the bid for a women’s 4x400m relay medal at the end of the final day of action in Torun.

After executing her seismic, record-breaking run last month, Hodgkinson’s attention was fixed firmly on gold in Torun.

This was the final international podium missing from Hodgkinson’s extensive list of honours, after various injuries prevented her from competing at each of the past three world indoors.

The 24-year-old, who has 11 international medals, has also been denied in her three attempts to win world gold outdoors, achieving two silvers and one bronze.

Hodgkinson said she hoped it would be “fourth time lucky” indoors in 2026 – but she had to overcome misfortune even before beginning her gold medal bid, after the airline she had travelled with lost her kit.

With her belongings delayed, Hodgkinson was forced to complete her preparations in somebody else’s spikes, which ended up giving her a blister.

But that did not affect Hodgkinson as she dominated Friday’s heat, before cruising to victory in Saturday’s semi-final in a time faster than all but one of her fellow finalist’s personal bests.

Five whirlwind years have passed since Hodgkinson announced herself on the international stage by winning a first major title at the European indoors in Torun, going on to claim silver on her Olympic debut later that summer.

Hodgkinson still managed to salvage silverware from her challenging 2025 by making the world podium in Tokyo six months ago and is ultimately appreciative of the perspective that setback has given her.

She says she now feels reconnected to her “fearless” 19-year-old self – and she is already making up for missed opportunities.

Off the back of the “healthiest” winter training she has had for several years, Hodgkinson is in seemingly unstoppable form, with European and Commonwealth titles available on home soil this summer.

Hodgkinson’s latest triumph leaves upgrading from silver to gold at the world outdoors and Commonwealths as the final frontiers as far as her international medal collection is concerned.

But her historic start to the season has also only increased anticipation surrounding a tilt at athletics’ longest-standing world record – the 43-year outright 800m world record of 1:53.28, set by Jarmila Kratochvilova.

“It has been such a fun few days. I’m really grateful to be here and to be healthy. I’m glad I could show what I know I can do,” said Hodgkinson.

There’s no hiding place for a manager when decisions go against them and for Mikel Arteta, his choice to stick by cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will be one that haunts him.

Arteta is known for his ruthlessness but, by opting to stick with cup goalkeeper Kepa for the Carabao Cup final, he showed a rare glimpse of his sentimental side – especially with Arsenal having not won a major trophy since 2020.

Kepa’s error – when he let Rayan Cherki’s cross slip through his fingers – allowed Nico O’Reilly to head Manchester City into the lead. And Pep Guardiola’s side never looked back as O’Reilly headed in again just four minutes later to seal the win.

Arteta’s decision to play Kepa over first choice David Raya was highlighted further because of the performance of City’s own cup goalkeeper, James Trafford.

Trafford was re-signed during the summer to be City’s number one before Gianluigi Donnarumma became available and the club moved to sign him from Paris St-Germain, which meant Trafford became second choice.

Trafford made an excellent triple save early in the game, when he denied Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka twice, to keep the scores level.

He went on to keep a clean sheet, while the questions about Kepa’s selection will dominate the headlines.

Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I never understand why managers play their second-choice goalkeepers in cup finals.

For Arteta, it did not enter his mind to not play Kepa in the final.

The Arsenal manager said it would have been “very unfair” if he had not stuck with the Spain international, who had played every round of the cup competition before the final, and said he accepts the scrutiny coming his way.

“I understand that, but I have to do what I feel is right, which is honest and which is fair,” Arteta said.

“And I think we have an understanding keeper in Kepa – he’s played all the competition and I think it would have been very, very unfair for him and for the team to do something different.”

The former Chelsea goalkeeper signed for the Gunners in the summer to compete with first choice David Raya.

Raya has 15 clean sheets in the Premier League, the most in the division, and has produced some standout saves during this campaign as Arsenal look to end their wait for a trophy.

And Arteta says that despite Kepa’s limited game time this season he did not guarantee that the goalkeeper would play in Arsenal’s cup fixtures.

“I can never promise a player to play certain competitions, because at the end they have to earn it and they have to do enough like any other position,” he said.

“We are guided by what we’ve seen and what he’s done in the competition, and he helped us to go all the way through here.

“I believe it’s the right thing to do and that’s it. Errors are part of football and today it happened unfortunately in a crucial moment.”

The EFL Cup brings bad memories for Kepa Arrizabalaga. The keeper has now lost all three of the finals he has played in the competition.

When playing for Chelsea in 2019 he refused to be substituted with the game heading to penalties, in 2022 he put his penalty over the crossbar as Chelsea lost to Liverpool in the shootout – and his error in this year’s final handed the lead to City.

“I would never have started Kepa today,” European football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“In a final like this, at this moment in the Arsenal project, there is no moment for sentiment. Your best team has to play. Kepa instead of David Raya for me, was the wrong call.

“I know it is harsh but I think Arteta and his players will learn a lot from today because those finals are won on decisions made, not just on the pitch but at half-time.”

Kepa was booked before conceding the opener, when he misjudged a clearance and pulled back winger Jeremy Doku as he looked to score.

“Mikel Arteta did not have to play him,” former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport.

“That’s a decision made by a manager who’s potentially going to win quite a lot this season. So he’s played Kepa because he believes he’s ready.

“But I’ll always say it, don’t ever feel sorry for a goalkeeper. That’s the life that he’s chosen.

After re-signing for the club where he started his career for £30m in the summer, Trafford expected to be the number one at City.

But since Donnarumma’s arrival the England Under-21 international has had to make do with domestic cup appearances and a rare chance in the Champions League.

Trafford has said that this season “hasn’t been easy at all” as he finds himself second choice.

But his performance during the win over Arsenal could be a pivotal moment in his career.

“They were obviously big saves because they happened quite early on in the game, but I can’t really remember them because they were quite quick,” Trafford said.

“I’m just happy to play my part in it, and then Nico [O’Reilly] scored two, which is brilliant from him.”

“This moment means a lot to me. Four or five years ago when they [City] beat Spurs to win it, I think I was fourth or fifth choice, and I always imagined that I would win it one day.”

Guardiola confirmed before the game that Trafford would be starting, and Trafford says that it “means a lot” to have the backing from his manager.

Pep Guardiola’s wild run and dance down Wembley’s touchline demonstrated the hunger for success remains and his competitive fire still burns as fiercely as ever.

It came after Nico O’Reilly’s second header in four minutes effectively sealed Manchester City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final victory against Arsenal, giving Guardiola a record fifth win in the competition.

Guardiola was lost in the moment as he pumped his fists in delight towards City’s jubilant supporters, the significance of the victory underlined by the crushing bearhugs he gave his players and backroom staff after the final whistle.

“I wanted another yellow card and that is why I did it,” joked Guardiola when quizzed about his celebration.

“If I can’t celebrate in the moment against a team like Arsenal, and the way we were playing… my emotions are related to the way we are playing.

“I am not artificially intelligent, I am a human being, and I want to celebrate. It was not showing disrespect to Arsenal or for the other fans, I just celebrated with my people. And when I feel it, I express it.”

Arsenal, by contrast, were desolate as they missed the chance to win a first trophy since the FA Cup in 2020, the result of a timid performance lacking in attacking ambition until it was too late.

City and Guardiola’s mission was not simply to win the EFL Cup. It was to put on the sort of dominant performance that might sow seeds of doubt in Arsenal’s minds as they hold a nine-point lead in the Premier League title race.

It was the ideal stage for both sides to make a statement. Manchester City made theirs. Arsenal fluffed every line.

Whether this result has wider ramifications remains to be seen.

Will it fuel City for a late rally in the league? Will the disappointment of this defeat derail Arsenal?

City must hope it has inflicted psychological damage on Arsenal. The Gunners must regroup and show the reserves of strength that have sustained their season.

What is beyond doubt is the better – much better – team prevailed on this day.

This was Guardiola’s 16th major trophy with City, and while speculation still swirls about his future beyond this season, the manner in which his team played and the way the Catalan was so engaged and fired-up illustrated that he still wants more success.

The EFL Cup does not carry the same lustre as the Champions League or Premier League, but Guardiola did not care about that as he basked in his latest success.

Guardiola accepts City’s Premier League destiny is out of their hands, but this victory will surely keep hope alive.

“I would love to be nine points in front to be honest,” he said. “It’s in their hands. We need time, an incredible break. I am exhausted and after we see step by step.”

He added: “I’m really pleased because Mikel [Arteta] created a team that is almost unbeatable. A fifth Carabao Cup in 10 years is not bad. Every time you win a title it looks more difficult than in the past. It is really difficult for many reasons.”

Guardiola has won everything, but this showed his appetite for silverware remains as sharp as ever.

It is a hunger Arteta, once his assistant at Manchester City now his main rival, is yet to satisfy.

Arsenal remain in a superb position in the Premier League and have the Champions League and FA Cup in their sights, but this was a sobering and disappointing day for the Gunners.

Arteta’s decision to keep faith with his EFL Cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of first-choice David Raya blew up in his face when he dropped Rayan Cherki’s routine cross for O’Reilly’s opener on the hour. It was the moment this final also slipped from Arsenal’s grasp.

Guardiola’s celebration for the opening goal was only slightly less restrained than his jig down the line for City’s second. When O’Reilly broke the deadlock, he leapt high, punching the air flamboyantly before jumping on to an advertising hoarding with a flying kick.

To emphasise the contrasting fortunes, Guardiola followed the same strategy by picking James Trafford rather than Gianluigi Donnarumma. He was rewarded when Trafford made a stunning triple save, once from Kai Havertz and twice from Bukayo Saka, in the opening phase.

The first 45 minutes was the epitome of two teams cancelling each other out – but once the second half began the landscape was set for City’s win.

They were the more progressive, aggressive side. Their attacking intent started to overwhelm Arsenal, the pressure became impossible to resist. Smoother on the ball and more cohesive than an Arsenal side based on organisation, the traffic only flowed one way.

Arrizabalaga already had Arsenal’s nerves on edge with an injudicious dash from goal which resulted in a yellow card for a panicked foul on Jeremy Doku.

Much, much worse was to come for Arsenal and their goalkeeper.

It remains six years since Arteta won his one and only trophy as Arsenal manager, and the way in which his team went into their shell here will be a concern that he must hope is not repeated as the pressure mounts in the closing weeks of the season.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport: “Manchester City played to win. I think that’s what they’re bred to do over ten, 15 years. I think now they’re very much bred to win. I think they’ve been really disappointed with the FA Cup final at the end of last season [when they lost to Crystal Palace].

“A lot will be read into it putting a marker down or whatever, but I don’t think so. I think it was just about Manchester City winning trophies, which is what they’ve done so regularly recently – and this is another big one.

“It is also a huge day for Pep Guardiola, who’s won everything, but now stands alone in terms of managers winning the League Cup. He’s won it five times, going one clear of Sir Alex Ferguson. How much of a testament is that to his ability, his special touch and what he’s done over the years with Manchester City?”

Arteta is braced for the battle to recover from this setback and focus on three trophies, saying: “We had eight amazing months with this team. Today is a disappointment. We need to use that fire in the belly for the next two months to have an incredible season.”

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s painful, especially for our players and supporters, because we really wanted to lift that trophy. It was two very different halves, especially the first half when I think we were better than them and had the best two chances of the game.

“We didn’t capitalise on that. Credit to them for what they have done. A really sad day.”