Manchester City overcame a plucky Huddersfield Town to progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Phil Foden’s long range first half strike and a goal from Savinho 20 minutes from time was enough for City to win a game they dominated in terms of possession, but not in chances created.
The Blues made nine changes from the team that got good results against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal, with just Foden and Nico O’Reilly remaining.
They’ll now face Swansea City away in the next round, taking
place in a few weeks’ time.
Here are three things we learned from victory in South Yorkshire:
Foden is back for good
Manchester City’s player of the season from the 2023/24 season is really starting to show his best form again.
After a very disappointing season last year, the 25-year-old has started this season on fire. He scored and ran the first half against United, played the decisive pass to break down the Napoli backline in the UEFA Champions League last season and ended up making the difference in the competition he named his dog, Carabao, after.
His interchange with academy talent and debutant Divine Mukasa before unleashing a fierce shot into the back of the net sums up Foden in a nutshell. Sharp, skillful and has an eye for goal.
And honestly, this is like a new signing. With Kevin de Bruyne gone and Rayan Cherki his replacement both currently injured and not quite the finished article just yet, the responsibility lies on Foden to fill his boots, and he’s doing so remarkably well at this point.
Nico G is the perfect Rodri back up
The ideal profile for a back up number six is a confident, unflappable figure who can compete in duels and is comfortable on the ball, but won’t be unhappy if they’re left on the bench a lot of the time.
Nico Gonzalez ticks all of their boxes. Still only 23 years old, and in his first year at the Etihad Stadium, he already looks comfortable and against Huddersfield he looked a level above.
The future for Nico surely has to be playing as an eight, as he’s too good to only play when Rodri needs a rest and will only get better.
And considering he’s six years younger than Rodri, I’m sure many within the club will be looking at him thinking he could eventually step into the 2024 Ballon D’or winner’s shows when he leaves.
City need to be clinical in the final third
For the amount of possession City had, it’s slightly disappointing that they didn’t even really create a single clear cut chance.
Foden’s goal was a moment of magic and Savinho’s was a good effort too, though the goalkeeper should probably have done better with it.
It’s tricky when a team sits so deep but City’s attackers just seemed to be too slow with the ball in the final third.
Oscar Bobb upsettingly looks a bit off the pace; I’m not worried yet, but he needs to get over the fear of injury and get back to his swaggering, confident self.
He still has moments of immense quality and brilliant technical touches, but he’s lost some self assurance in terms of end product. Hopefully that will return when he’s given more minutes.
And on the other flank, Savinho wasn’t any better. I still think City should have cashed in on him for £70 million this summer, and he certainly doesn’t deserve the contract extension he’s reportedly been offered.
Divine Mukasa is talented but young and Rico Lewis isn’t really a number ten, so City’s attack was somewhat blunt.
However, as mentioned above, the players listed will only improve, and the attack has the likes of Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki to reintegrate to it.
