City beat Watford to advance to next round of Carabao Cup

With a revamped team led by many players from the Academy, the Cityzens easily beat Watford (2-1) in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Just forty-eight hours after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, City returned to the Etihad Stadium to face Championship side Watford in the Carabao Cup.

Pep Guardiola fields a largely revamped team and throws young Kaden Braithwaite into the professional deep end. At 16 years and 229 days, the English defender becomes the third youngest player to wear the Skyblue jersey.

Assuming their status against a lower division team, the Cityzens started the match in the best possible way.

James McAtee, starting for the first time in his career at the Etihad, recovers the ball following a poor back pass from Porteous. The English midfielder finds his compatriot Grealish who serves Doku at the edge of the area. With a clever dribble, the Belgian manages to get into a shooting position and places a shot in Bond’s side netting (1-0, 6th).

City controlled the game, but it was not until the end of the first half that Pep’s men doubled their lead.

Served by Lewis at the edge of the area, Matheus Nunes’ left-footed shot ends up in the back of the net (2-0, 38th). The Portuguese, very active in the heart of the game, opens his account for City with this first achievement.

During the second half, Savinho, who replaced Doku at half-time, saw his shot pushed back onto the line by a Hornets defender (63rd).

A few minutes later, the Brazilian came close to scoring one of the goals of the year but his shot, after a crazy run from his own half, hit Bond’s post (71st).

The Watford goalkeeper, however, owed nothing to anyone when he pushed away a point-blank attempt from Grealish (81st minute).

The Cityzens are in control but a moment of loss of concentration in the defense allows Ince to find himself in a shooting position at the edge of the area. His curling shot lodges in Ortega’s top corner (2-1, 85th).

Despite the latest attacks from the opposition, Manchester City managed to keep their lead and validate their ticket for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The team will find out their opponent tomorrow night, when the draw takes place after Liverpool’s game against West Ham.

The Skyblues will return to Premier League action this Saturday with an exciting trip to Newcastle (1:30 p.m. French time).