Manchester City Battle Back to Beat Swansea 3-1 and Reach Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals | OneFootball

Swansea Strike First Against Rotated City

Manchester City were made to work hard for their 3-1 Carabao Cup win at the Swansea.com Stadium after the Championship side took a shock early lead.

Swansea started brightly and stunned Pep Guardiola’s side with a moment of quality from Goncalo Franco. Melker Widell found Josh Key on the right, and his cross was met by Franco, who curled a brilliant 20-yard strike into the top corner. The home fans erupted as Swansea’s fast start caused real problems for City’s heavily changed line-up.

City made ten changes from the side that lost to Aston Villa at the weekend, and their disjointed opening gave the hosts encouragement. Widell almost doubled Swansea’s lead after capitalising on a loose pass from Abdukodir Khusanov, but James Trafford got down sharply to push the ball wide.

Doku Brings City Level Before the Break

Manchester City gradually began to settle, and Jeremy Doku was the man to drag them level. Cutting inside from the left, the Belgian’s low shot deflected off Cameron Burgess and found the net to make it 1-1 just before half-time. It was the slice of fortune City needed after struggling to find their rhythm in the opening stages.

Rayan Cherki went close moments later, hitting the post after a clever link-up move, as Guardiola’s side began to dominate territory and possession. Swansea held firm, but it was clear that City were beginning to take control of the contest.

Marmoush and Cherki Seal City’s Place in the Last Eight

Swansea’s energy began to fade as the second half wore on. Manchester City pressed relentlessly and finally found a way through when Cherki threaded a perfect pass to Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian forward took one touch before smashing the ball into the corner for his first goal of the season.

Cherki then got the goal his performance deserved in stoppage time. Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box, he guided a low shot into the far corner to seal the victory. It was a cool, composed finish that ended any hopes of a Swansea comeback.

City Show Character and Class After Villa Defeat

This was a much-needed response from Pep Guardiola’s side after their loss at Aston Villa. Even without Erling Haaland and several key players, City’s patience and quality eventually told.

For Swansea, there was plenty to admire in their first-half display, and they can take real pride in how they competed against one of Europe’s best teams. For City, this was about showing depth, determination and control when under pressure.

The result sends Manchester City into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the second time since 2021, when they last lifted the trophy. It was not a perfect performance, but it was exactly the response Guardiola would have wanted.