Match Report and Player Ratings: Swansea City 1-3 Manchester City (Carabao Cup Fourth Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City secured their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals following a 1-3 win away to Swansea City on Wednesday night. 

Goals from Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, and Rayan Cherki sent the Blues on their way into the last-eight of the League Cup, despite the hosts shocking the eight-time winners of the competition through a sensational opener in the12th minute. 

Josh Key took on Rayan Ait-Nouri on the right side of the penalty area, laying the ball off for Portuguese forward Goncalo Franco to strike first time and place a beautiful shot against the post and into the back of the net beyond a helpless James Trafford.

After half an hour, Manchester City struggled to break down the South Welsh side’s defence and the Swans almost doubled their lead when Abdukodir Khusanov gave the ball away to Melker Widell, advancing forward in a one-v-one situation with Trafford, who closed the angle and made a great save.

Seven minutes before half time, the Blues nearly equalised after some great play from Oscar Bobb, whose cross was dummied by Rico Lewis and found its way to Rayan Cherki, who took a touch and stabbed the ball towards goal, hitting the post. 

A minute later though, Manchester City did have their equaliser through some fortune. Jeremy Doku cut inside from the left and drove into the penalty area before striking towards goal, deflecting off Cameron Burgess and into the back of the net to take the scoreline to 1-1 into the half-time interval.

City had the advantage territorially in the second-half, but struggled to make any clear cut chances. That was until Omar Marmoush produced some real quality to get the Blues into the lead. Rayan Cherki played a lovely ball into the penalty area to the feet of the Egyptian, who took the ball away from the Swansea defender and fired home a thunderous near-post finish.

Cherki was involved once again and rounded off his performance with a goal of his own, slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner in stoppage time to send Manchester City through to the next round of the Carabao cup. 

Following an eventually routine win in South Wales, here is how we assessed the individual performances of Pep Guardiola’s players against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup!

Player Ratings

Starting XI 

James Trafford – 7.5 

Can’t have asked much more from the Englishman, and not much he could do for the Swansea goal, and going on to make a key save at 1-0 to stop the Swans from doubling their lead.

Rico Lewis – 7 

Really good in tight spaces as usual and was helpful in this game. Pep Guardiola mentioned his importance after the Villarreal clash last week and Rico Lewis showed that again tonight. 

Abdukodir Khusanov – 6.5 

Great to see him back on the pitch after a spell out injured, but looked sloppy at times as perhaps expected at this stage of his recovery. Good for him to get minutes to get back up to speed .

Nathan Ake – 7

Didn’t put a foot wrong and did his job. A standard and professional performance from the Dutch defender. 

Rayan Ait Nouri – 7 

Similarly to Abdukodir Khusanov, great to see him back in the team and a good 60 minutes for him on his return from injury. Did not offer too much attacking threat, but didn’t really put a foot wrong. 

Nico Gonzalez – 6.5  

Seemed to have slightly poor decision-making in the final third but a good midfield display from the Spaniard. It seems that the traditional holding midfield role is where he is most comfortable. 

Divine Mukasa – 5.5 

Looks to be a really bright player and one for the future, but did not see a lot of the ball and was quiet – but a promising career ahead for the youngster, hopefully at Manchester City.

Rayan Cherki – 9 (Player of the Match)

The star of the show. Absolutely scintillating play from the Frenchman – a goal and an assist to mark his first start since returning from injury sustained back in August. We haven’t had the joy of seeing him too much yet due to his lay-off which has kept him out for the best part of two months, but he looks like a key player already. 

Oscar Bobb 6.5 

Not able to have a real impact on the game and was wasteful with the ball at times. Seems to be going through a poor run of form.  

Omar Marmoush – 8 

Very flashy on the ball and was unlucky not to have scored more than just the one goal, in which was excellent from the attacker. A good performance to fill Erling Haaland’s absence. 

Jeremy Doku – 8 

Scored the first goal and played with confidence. Really good wing play at times and seems to be enjoying his season so far.

Substitutes 

Josko Gvardiol – 7 

Solid performance. Came on for Rayan Ait-Nouri for fitness reasons most likely, but a good shift at left back for the Croatian, grabbing an assist for his efforts.

Phil Foden – 7.5 

Starting to look back to his best, created the most chances in the last game against Aston Villa and looks like he’s enjoying his football again.

John Stones – 6.5 

Good to see Stones having a good run of matches fully-fit, and secured the defence up to survive any late Swansea pushes to rescue the tie.