Manchester City managed to edge past Watford with a narrow 2-1 victory in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night, but it was far from a walk in the park. While Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes gave City a two-goal cushion, a late strike from Tom Ince almost turned the tie on its head, setting up a nervy finish for the Premier League champions.
City’s dominance throughout much of the game, coupled with a less-than-inspiring performance from Phil Foden, added an extra layer of drama to a match that could have been an easy cruise. Let’s dive into how City nearly stumbled against the Championship side and take a look at the standout players, as well as those who had a night to forget.
Early Dominance and Jeremy Doku’s Magic
The opening stages of the match showcased Manchester City’s class. Despite resting several key players—Erling Haaland, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Ederson—the Cityzens were firmly in control. Youngsters Nico O’Reilly, James McAtee, and Kaden Braithwaite were given starting spots, and they didn’t disappoint.
City’s first goal came relatively early, thanks to a shocking error from Watford’s Ryan Porteous. His weak back-pass was intercepted by McAtee, who quickly found Jack Grealish. Grealish, ever the team player, unselfishly set up Doku for a neat finish inside the box. Doku’s strike was a thing of beauty, and his overall performance left Watford chasing shadows for much of the game.
Though Watford thought they had equalized later in the first half through Kwadwo Baah, the goal was ruled out for a foul. Baah’s strong run ended in a shot that beat City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, but his challenge on the teenage defender Braithwaite was deemed illegal, and the Championship side were left frustrated.
Matheus Nunes Extends City’s Lead
As the game wore on, Manchester City enjoyed nearly 75% possession, but genuine chances were hard to come by. Watford defended valiantly, with the visitors offering a few glimpses of danger on the counterattack. However, City’s second goal was all about their class and composure.
Rico Lewis, impressive once again, drove through Watford’s midfield before laying the ball off to Nunes. The Brazilian set himself up perfectly and struck the ball sweetly from 18 yards out, finding the bottom corner of the net and giving City a much-needed cushion. It was a clinical finish that showcased Nunes’ growing influence in the team, further proving why he’s becoming a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Phil Foden’s Rare Stinker
On a night when Manchester City should have run riot, Phil Foden’s off-day was all too apparent. Usually a beacon of creativity, Foden struggled to get involved, often slowing down City’s attacks. His lack of sharpness meant that City were unable to fully capitalize on their dominance. This rare stinker from Foden was surprising, especially considering his usual high standards.
Despite having plenty of possession, City couldn’t find the net again, and Foden’s sluggish play was partly to blame. For Watford, it was a blessing, as it allowed them to remain in the game even when it seemed like they were outclassed for long stretches.
Tom Ince’s Late Goal Causes Panic
Just when Manchester City thought they had the game wrapped up, Tom Ince decided to inject some late drama. In the 86th minute, Ince collected the ball on the edge of the box and curled a beautiful shot past Ortega, making it 2-1 and ensuring a nervy finish for the City faithful.
Watford pushed hard in the final minutes, and for a brief moment, it seemed like a comeback was on the cards. The Championship side’s resilience was admirable, and they tested City’s defense in ways that few expected. However, City managed to hold on, with Ortega making a couple of crucial saves in stoppage time.
Player Ratings
Jeremy Doku – 9/10
City’s brightest spark, Doku, was relentless with his pace and trickery. His goal was well taken, and he looked dangerous every time he had the ball.
Jack Grealish – 8/10
Another strong performance from Grealish, who assisted Doku’s goal and was a constant menace on the wing. His decision-making was sharp, and his link-up play was superb.
Matheus Nunes – 8/10
Scored a fantastic goal and was solid throughout. Nunes is growing into his role at City and looks to be a great asset in the midfield.
Phil Foden – 5/10
A rare off-night for Foden. He struggled to make an impact, and his decision-making seemed off. This performance won’t worry Pep too much, but it’s clear Foden has better days ahead.
Rico Lewis – 7/10
A composed performance from the young defender. He was instrumental in City’s second goal and showed great maturity throughout the match.
Stefan Ortega – 6/10
Had little to do for most of the match but was called into action late on, making some important saves to keep City ahead.
FAQs
Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes scored for Manchester City in their 2-1 win against Watford.
Tom Ince scored a stunning goal in the 86th minute to make it 2-1, creating a tense final few minutes for Manchester City.
Phil Foden had a rare poor performance, struggling to create chances and slowing down City’s attacking play.
Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were the standout performers, with both players heavily involved in City’s attacking play.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s narrow 2-1 victory over Watford in the Carabao Cup showcased both their strengths and weaknesses. While Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes delivered when it mattered most, the team’s inability to finish off their chances made the match far closer than it should have been. Phil Foden’s off-day certainly didn’t help, but City managed to progress, thanks to some late heroics from Stefan Ortega and a bit of luck. As the Carabao Cup progresses, City will need to be more clinical if they want to avoid future scares like this one.
