Man city vs Watford. Manchester City Progress to EFL Cup Last 16 with 2-1 Victory Over Watford as Guardiola Rotates Squad
Manchester City beat Watford 2-1 in the EFL Cup to advance to the last 16. Goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes secured the win, with Pep Guardiola emphasizing the need to prioritize the Premier League and Champions League amidst a packed schedule. check highlights of Man city vs Watford
Man City vs Watford: Pep Guardiola Dominates as Manchester City Triumph Over Watford in EFL Cup
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola emphasized his pragmatic approach to the EFL Cup following his team’s 2-1 victory over Watford, securing a place in the last 16. Despite his record of success in the competition, Guardiola made it clear that the EFL Cup is not his top priority this season, given the club’s busy schedule across multiple competitions.
First-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes, who netted his first goal for City, were enough to see off a resilient Watford side. The win came less than 50 hours after a thrilling 2-2 Premier League draw against Arsenal, prompting Guardiola to heavily rotate his squad.
“We Won’t Waste Energy”: Guardiola’s Focus on Bigger Competitions
With Manchester City still in contention for the Premier League and Champions League, Guardiola was transparent in his approach to the EFL Cup. He plans to prioritize his squad’s energy for more significant competitions in the coming weeks.
“The next round, I announce you, I play the second team,” said Guardiola. “We are not going to waste energy, for sure.” He explained that while he values every competition, the tight schedule has forced him to manage resources carefully.
Despite this, Guardiola assured that City will remain competitive in the EFL Cup. “We play to go through. We never throw a competition. Never. But we played 50 hours ago. I’m not going to risk with the Premier League and the Champions League in this competition.”
Youth and Rotation Shine in City’s Victory
The victory against Watford saw Guardiola make significant changes to his starting lineup, with only Doku and Kyle Walker retaining their places from the Arsenal clash. Notably, 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite became the youngest player to start for City under Guardiola, showcasing the depth and potential of City’s youth system.
Matheus Nunes, a £53 million signing from Wolves, also made his mark with a well-taken goal, demonstrating his ability to contribute despite limited appearances this season. Guardiola praised Nunes, calling him “excellent in space and in transitions,” and expressed satisfaction with his performance.
Doku’s opener came early, capitalizing on a mistake from Watford’s Ryan Porteous, while Nunes doubled the lead before halftime with a precise finish. Watford showed resilience, with Tom Ince scoring a late consolation goal in the 86th minute, but City held firm to secure the win.
A Tough Test for Watford, But Positives for Cleverley
For Watford and manager Tom Cleverley, the match was a learning experience. Despite the defeat, Cleverley’s side was well-organized and remained competitive throughout the game, even having a goal disallowed after Kwadwo Baah was judged to have fouled Braithwaite.
Cleverley, taking charge of his 18th game as Watford boss, continues to shape a disciplined and determined team. Although this was their third defeat in four games across all competitions, Cleverley will take heart from his team’s fighting spirit against one of the best teams in Europe.
Looking Ahead: City’s Next Challenges
Manchester City now moves into the EFL Cup’s last 16, with Guardiola already signaling his intention to field a younger squad in future rounds. With important Premier League and Champions League fixtures on the horizon, City will focus on maintaining momentum in their quest for silverware across multiple fronts.
As for Watford, they will look to build on their organized performance as they return to their Championship campaign, aiming to push further up the table.
Player of the Match: Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish earned the Player of the Match honor with a standout performance, securing an average rating of 9.28. He was influential throughout the game, helping to guide City’s youthful team to victory.
