Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-1 Watford (Carabao Cup Third Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City have gone one better than last year by advancing into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, beating Watford 2-1 at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

Jeremy Doku kicked off the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes of the action with his first goal of the season, before Matheus Nunes hit his first ever goal for the club around ten minutes out from half-time.

Manchester City huffed and puffed in the second half and eventually got over the line, although they were given an almighty late scare when Tom Ince curled home a fantastic late goal with Watford’s first shot on target.

The Blues’ opener owed a huge debt of gratitude to James McAtee’s hard pressing to latch onto a short Watford backpass and honesty in staying on his feet under the challenge from goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, with the youngster allowing Jack Grealish to tee up Doku for a confident low finish.

You would be forgiven for expecting the floodgates to open after that, but it was actually Watford who next had the ball in the net, only for Kwadwo Baah to be arguably harshly penalised for having fouled Manchester City debutant Kaden Braithwaite prior to his impressive finish.

Watford showed a little more attacking intent after that, so City’s sucker-punch second actually came out of the blue a little – but come it did, as a few quick exchanges ended with Matheus Nunes collecting Rico Lewis’ pass and driving an accurate shot beyond Bond from 20 yards out.

It wasn’t the most fluid half from a Manchester City team clearly lacking match sharpness, and that was illustrated by the final chance of the opening 45 minutes, as a Watford breakaway produce a headed opportunity which Vakoun Issouf Bayo should have done better with.

The game continued flattering to deceive as it ticked over the hour mark; the Hornets had the most threatening moment of the second half to that point, via Imran Louza’s dragged half-volley.

City came to life straight after though and couldn’t believe that they didn’t score from their next attack, which saw four shots and a series of heroic blocks from Watford, with the highlight being Tom Ince heading Savinho’s effort off the line.

It wasn’t under the Blues’ control; Phil Foden sloppily conceded possession on the edge of Watford’s box and the visitors broke at speed, eventually getting a shot away as Baah fired narrowly wide.

The teams were practically trading blows by then, with City’s next attempts drawing good stops from Bond via Nunes and Foden, before Savinho and Nico O’Reilly each went agonisingly close to their first City goals, the former even hitting the post after a brilliant run.

Grealish deserved a goal for his creativity and hard work throughout the match and surely thought he had it late on after latching onto Savinho’s cutback and shooting, but was thwarted by the sprawling Bond.

There could have been a late sting in the tail when Ince finished a Watford break by striking a curling effort high past Stefan Ortega, but City eventually saw it out to earn what should have been a more comfortable victory for passage into the fourth round.

Manchester City have earned four days of rest after their gruelling 49 hours, with the Blues next in action against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in Premier League duties on Saturday afternoon.

Here is how we assessed the individual performances of the Manchester City side that took on Watford in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega – 6

Didn’t have a shot to save aside from Kwadwo Baah’s disallowed effort and Tom Ince’s unstoppable finish. Passed well enough.

Kyle Walker – 6

Very little to note, as Watford hardly ever attacked down his side and he kept his ball-playing simple. Failed to clear a simple ball that played a huge role in Watford’s goal late on.

John Stones – 6

Sunday’s saviour wasn’t required to do anything quite as dramatic as against Arsenal. His long passing radar seemed somewhat off.

Kaden Braithwaite – 6.5

Given a tough task in coping with fired-up Championship-level strikers on debut. Did look neat with the ball at his feet though.

Rico Lewis – 8

Showed off his technical quality in all sorts of advanced midfield positions and knocked passes around with ease, most notably to assist Matheus Nunes.

Nico O’Reilly – 6.5

Didn’t look quite as composed as in his impressive US pre-season tour outings, struggling to deal with second balls. He grew a little more confident in the second period and was unlucky not to score before being withdrawn.

Matheus Nunes – 7.5

Will be delighted to get that goal duck off his back, and had some other good moments in an accomplished enough showing.

James McAtee – 7.5

Worked hard all game long, not being offput by any errors to continue trying to break Watford down. Instrumental in the opening goal.

Jeremy Doku – 7.5

The main target of City’s attacks in the first half, giving him plenty of opportunities to give Yasser Larouci problems. Did start against Arsenal two days ago, so despite scoring a nice goal, was rested at half-time.

Phil Foden – 6

First time back in the false nine role in quite some time, so we’ll put his sluggishness down to that, plus his lack of sharpness.

Jack Grealish – 8 (MOTM)

Massive defensive effort and didn’t stop trying to beat his man, in a refreshing change of pace from what we usually see from him. Set up Jeremy Doku’s goal.

Substitutes

Savinho – 7.5

Gave much better fluidity to the attack, looking really sharp and hungry. So unlucky to be denied his first goal by the post.

Jacob Wright – N/A

Josko Gvardiol – N/A