Manchester City defeated second-tier Watford 2-1

On Tuesday, Manchester City defeated second-tier Watford 2-1 to go to the League Cup fourth round as Matheus Nunes scored his first goal in 34th appearance.

City took the lead at The Etihad after five minutes as Jeremy Doku scored and Nunes scored in the 38th. After previous terrible Premier League losses to City, Watford refused to give up and Tom Ince’s curler gave them an 86th-minute lifeline.

Eight-time winners Despite late Watford pressure, City averted a penalty shootout.
A hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku helped Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea beat fourth-tier leaders Barrow 5-0 at Stamford Bridge to go to round four.

After a 0-0 draw at the Bescot Stadium, Leicester City beat fourth-tier Walsall on penalties. Jhon Duran scored his fifth goal of the season with a penalty in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers.

The Wimbledon pitch was flooded on Monday, postponing Newcastle United’s match with AFC Wimbledon. City played again 48 hours after their shocking Premier League loss to Arsenal, and Guardiola rested key regulars and gave 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite his first start.

Following his 53 million pounds ($71 million) move from Wolverhampton Wanderers a year ago, Nunes has failed to establish himself at City, but he made his first start of the season appealing.

Without Watford keeper Jonathan Bond’s second-half saves, he may have had a hat-trick with his low finish from outside the penalty area.

“Few players have his qualities. Unique. “Unbelievable transition space,” Guardiola stated.

Happy for him and the objective. Still, he reads and adapting is hard. Very happy for him—lovely people deserve nice things.” Watford started poorly with Ryan Porteous’ back pass intercepted by James McAtee before Jack Grealish set up Doku to twist and finish.

The visitors had conceded 26 goals in their last five matches against City, including an 8-0 Premier League loss in 2019, but they were more resilient this time. They had a goal disallowed in the first half after Kwadwo Baah barged over Braithwaite and shot past Stefan Ortega. After a good move, Ince scored a left-foot rocket late on.

Chelsea were too strong for Barrow despite Maresca’s 11 lineup changes. Joao Felix sent in Nkunku to volley the opener after eight minutes, and he then performed a magnificent flip to make it 2-0 before a Felix free kick hit the post and rebounded in off Barrow keeper Paul Farman to make it 3-0 before halfway

Pedro Neto scored his first Chelsea goal after halftime before Nkunku completed his hat-trick. Following Wednesday’s matches, Liverpool hosts West Ham United in the fourth round.