Manchester City progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday thanks to a 2-1 victory over Championship side Watford at the Etihad.
After the frenetic, feisty clash at the weekend, this was a much calmer affair. In truth, it was barely a contest.
Like Arsenal on Sunday, Watford were compact for long spells but lacked the sort of defensive prowess exhibited by Mikel Arteta’s men a little over 48 hours prior.
The short turnaround between the games meant Pep Guardiola was forced into nine changes - with Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku the only players who retained their places. Sixteen year-old Kaden Braithwaite came in for his senior debut, becoming the club’s third-youngest ever player.
When proceedings got under way, it didn’t take long for City’s superiority to show: five minutes, in fact. The country’s best side don’t need a helping hand at home but Watford provided them with the opportunity to take an early advantage.
James Morris’ slack pass back to his goalkeeper was pounced upon by James McAtee, who then slipped it to Jack Grealish. The winger teed up Jeremy Doku, who fired beyond Jonathan Bond in the away goal after a nice piece of footwork from the Belgian to fashion the shot.
City dominated possession from that point on, with Matheus Nunes seeing a shot save and Phil Foden twice firing off target. But it took until the latter stages of the half for City to double their advantage, when Rico Lewis’ pass found Nunes at the edge of the box, who drilled the ball powerfully into the back of the net with his left foot to register his first City goal.
Watford barely laid a glove on City in the opening 45 but did see a goal disallowed after Kwadwo Baah barged into Braithwaite and squeezed the ball past Stefan Ortega. The debutant could count himself perhaps a little fortunate with what appeared to be a soft decision from referee David Webb with the players going shoulder in the City box.
Watford also fired just wide after the break when Imram Louza unleashed a venomous volley that was inches off target.
It should have been a routine end to the game, but City failed to capitalise on a plethora of chances, including efforts from Savinho that were cleared off the line and hit the post, while Foden and Grealish tested Bond.
But what had been a comfortable game ended with a few jitters from City when Watford’s Tom Ince curled one beyond Stefan Ortega in the 86th minute.
It meant City were forced into some late defending, but despite a spirited effort from the Hornets, they failed to create another real chance as the hosts held onto the 2-1 win. Here’s how we rated the players...
1. Stefan Ortega- 6
Didn't have to deal with a shot on target all night until Ince curled one into the top corner, a strike the keeper could get nowhere near.
2. Rico Lewis- 8
Started at right-back and pushed into midfield when City had the ball. He helped City advance in possession and brought an energy and a fluidity to team in another impressive display.
3. Kyle Walker- 7
Played at centre-back and didn't look out of place, although his sloppy pass did lead to Ince's late goal. The City captain sprayed several long passes into the wide areas.
4. John Stones- 6
Was barely tested defensively and his biggest contribution came in possession, with Stones moving the ball up the pitch quickly.