Manchester City fielded a youthful team for their opening Carabao Cup fixture of the season against Wycombe Wanderers tonight in a 6-1 win.
City have won the Carabao Cup for four years in succession, and faced League One outfit Wycombe at the Etihad tonight. Pep Guardiola made a number of changes, with injury concerns around John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Ilkay Gundogan and Aleks Zinchenko.
With Kyle Walker rested and Nathan Ake granted compassionate leave, Guardiola named a back four from the academy with CJ Egan-Riley, Luke Mbete, Finley Burns and Josh Wilson-Esbrand all starting along with Romeo Lavia.
Wycombe took the lead in the first half, but City took control before the break with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden. Ferran Torres and Mahrez made the score more comfortable in the second half. Cole Palmer scored his first professional goal late on to make it 6-1 and book City’s place in the next round.
Follow below for highlights and reaction from the Etihad.
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Wycombe boss praises City
A classy interview from Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth.
He said:
“The first 22 minutes were special! What a moment for the fans who travelled all this way. A few months ago they were locked in their homes and couldn’t see us in the Championship. Those scenes when the goal went in were incredible.
“Congratulations to Man City and thanks for welcoming us the way you have. We couldn’t cope with them at times and we owe them a lot of respect. I hope they go on and win it, and for us, we turn our attentions to getting three points at MK Dons.”
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Guardiola sets record
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Who was your Man of the Match
Plenty to pick from.
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Read tonight’s report
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
More from Pep
He’s sent a message to his youngsters, and also to the fans.
He said:
“We played good, maybe 5 mins to take the game. after we played good, they were stronger than us because we didn’t play well. Josh stayed under the line when he should leave but it happens they are young lads, how they focus. It’s nice as a manager I enjoy a lot and I’m privileged to give the opportunity. They have their future ahead of them they want to take it. When after became professionals it’s always ‘i take this position’, they don’t demand anything they want to do it. I was pretty sure they were concentrated.
“Thank you so much for the people coming today. I’m pretty sure they enjoy a lot. I’m sure our fans will see players from the academy, growing up, most of them play their first official game infront of our stadium, it is so nice. We have an incredible generation of young players. maybe in the future they’ll be important like Phil Foden. It depends on them.”
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Pep’s praise for academy stars
Pep Guardiola has praised his academy players – and their coaches – for their performances today.
He said:
“All of them play honestly really well, supported from the professionals upfront. The back four and holding midfield are important positions, just from the academy. Compliment to them, Jason Wilcox, Brian [Barry-Murphy], especially last season with Enzo Maresca who did a fantastic job and Carlos [Vicens] whos with us now backroom staff. Big compliment to them.
“In the end we can enjoy them because they have a lot of work behind. I know them quite well because they train a lot with us. They have a great perspective and are incredibly well educated men. Their families, especially here in the club, they have great values, we give them and they take it. They are very nice guys.
“If they continue working hard it always pay off. They can have long careers here or maybe another high levels in another place.”
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Palmer’s best ever feeling
Cole Palmer, talking to broadcasters after the game, has described the feeling of scoring his first professional goal tonight.
He said:
“I’m over the moon, to be honest that’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had. When I see it go in and hear the fans. That’s why we work as little kids. I’ve got to keep going, get more opportunities to try and have moments like that again.
“The manager trusts us so we trust him back., you can see on the training pitch how many of us train with him. to get the opportunity tonight, we’re all delighted.”
On Phil Foden:
“Of course he gives you inspiration to see someone who’s come through the academy to the first team so I don’t see why I can’t do it and hopefully I go on and do it.”
On a fifth Carabao Cup in a row:
“Hopefully, we’ve got to keep working every day on the training pitch and take it into the games from the training pitch.”
FT – City 6-1 WycombeStuart Brennan
Player Ratings
Zack Steffen Point-blank save to deny Obita and keep it 3-1, but little else to do – his two best saves were from offside players! – 6
Conrad Egan-Riley Positive and neat, and by the end of the game was playing like a veteran – 7
Finley Burns Every inch a Guardiola defender as he strode out of defence – and he battled hard as well – 7
Luke Mbete Strong, commanding and a consummate passer of the ball, three days after his 18th birthday – star in the making? – 8
Josh Wilson-Esbrand Hesitant start but his raids down the left were a big part of City’s best work and claimed an assist for Mahrez – 7
Romeo Lavia Clearly likes a tackle, and his passes over the top and through the lines were Fernandinho-esque – 7
Read the rest of the ratings here.
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Rate the players
Have your say on how the City players rated tonight.
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Full time thoughts
FT – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Full time!
After that scare with Wycombe opening the scoring, City have turned on the style and those three goals from De Bruyne, Mahrez and Foden before half time ended the contest with 45 minutes left.
Ferran Torres, Mahrez again and a first goal for Cole Palmer put some gloss on a productive evening at the Etihad.
Stay put for reaction from another Carabao Cup win.
90′ – City 6-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Two minutes added
Time for a seventh?
88′ – City 6-1 WycombeKEY EVENT
Palmer gets a first senior goal!!!
This goal is all about Cole Palmer, who takes it himself and finishes well to get his first professional goal.
83′ – City 5-1 WycombeKEY EVENT
Mahrez gets a second!
A picture perfect Guardiola goal to hand the boss his record-equalling City win.
De Bruyne sends Raheem Sterling free and the cutback is converted by Riyad Mahrez.
81′ – City 4-1 WycombeJoe Bray
McAtee at left-back
James McAtee, with a goal or assist every 45 minutes this season, is being played at left-back, by the way… No, we’re not sure why either.
78′ – City 4-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Offside!
Raheem Sterling finishes well from a Foden pass, but the flag was up immediately and the goal won’t stand. No VAR tonight.
72′ – City 4-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Palmer scoops over
Cole Palmer could score with one of his first touches but gets under it and the ball flies well over.
71′ – City 4-1 WycombeJoe Bray
McAtee gets his debut
James McAtee, scorer of 11 goals in seven games at youth level so far this season, is on for his fully deserved professional debut. He’s got three assists in that time too.
He replaces Ferran Torres, while Cole Palmer replaces Josh Wilson-Esbrand.
70′ – City 4-1 WycombeKEY EVENT
Torres scores!!!
What was that about Torres?
Curse of the commentator there, as Torres converts from a Phil Foden cross.
69′ – City 3-1 WycombeSimon Bajkowski
Mixed nights for senior players
For all City’s success in cutting through Wycombe, Ferran Torres doesn’t look like he can buy a goal tonight. That last pass or touch has been wanting and he will need to be sharper than that in the big games coming up.
However, Zack Steffen has been very good. With an incredibly inexperienced back five in front of him he has had to be sharp and alert, and he has been. A very good save then made sure that Wycombe didn’t feel they had a route back into this game.
67′ – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Two Wycombe chances
Jordan Obita is denied twice – first by Zack Steffen and then from a Finley Burns block.
66′ – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Torres effort blocked
Phil Foden advances and feeds Ferran Torres, who sees an effort blocked.
James McAtee is getting instructions from Pep Guardiola.
65′ – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Akinfenwa goes off
Adebayo Akinfenwa gets a warm ovation from City fans as he’s replaced by Sam Vokes.
64′ – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
How long before the changes?
Cole Palmer and James McAtee are on the bench, but no sign yet.
Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne have had a go in recent minutes, and this tie feels well over. Why not bring on some youngsters and rest the senior legs ahead of the Chelsea clash?
55′ – City 3-1 WycombeSimon Bajkowski
Game feels done
City are hunting for a fourth goal as the crowd cycle through their catalogue of former greats including Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta.
Having been a bit edgy and awkward in the first half, this contest feels over.
53′ – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Full time in the EFL Trophy
Doncaster hold on for the win, and City are now up against it to qualify from their group.
49′ – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
City out brightly
Phil Foden has had a header on goal, while Riyad Mahrez saw a shot saved shortly after the break.
45′ – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Back underway
We’re back underway.
HT – City 3-1 WycombeJoe Bray
Who needs a striker?
HT – City 3-1 WycombeStuart Brennan
Half time ratings
Steffen – No chance with goal. 6
Egan-Riley – Has got forward well. 7
Burns – Stylish coming out of defence. 6
Mbete -His passing has been excellent. 7
Wilson-Esbrand – Did brilliantly for Mahrez goal. 7
Lavia – Couple of quality quarterback passes. 7
De Bruyne – Looks rusty but great finish. 6
Foden – Sensational goal, fantastic display. 9
Mahrez – Hit the post and bagged a goal. 7
Torres – Should have scored with header. 5
Sterling – Struggling in front of goal. 5
