Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made it clear after their 2-1 win against Watford in the EFL Cup that he won’t be “wasting energy” on the competition this season. Despite being the most successful manager in the tournament’s history, with four titles to his name, Guardiola is now focused on the Premier League and Champions League.
Guardiola fielded a rotated team for the match, just 50 hours after City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Among the starting players were 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite, making his debut, and established stars like John Stones, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden.
City took an early lead, with Jeremy Doku scoring in the 5th minute. Matheus Nunes, another key player in the match, followed up with his first goal for the club, securing a 2-1 victory.
Nunes Shines, Guardiola Praises His Performance
Nunes, who joined City last year for £53 million, hadn’t had much of a chance to shine until this game. He made an impact with his goal and an energetic display, leading Guardiola to praise his “special qualities” and contribution in transition play.
Although Watford fought back with an 86th-minute goal by Tom Ince, City’s solid defense held firm. It was also a notable night for Braithwaite, who became the youngest player to start a game for City under Guardiola.
Key Highlights:
- Pep Guardiola Prioritizes Bigger Competitions: The City manager openly admitted he will not focus too much on the EFL Cup, citing a packed schedule with European and Premier League matches.
- Young Talent Shines: 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite made his debut, and Matheus Nunes scored his first goal for City.
- Watford’s Fighting Spirit: Despite the loss, Watford showed resilience with a late goal, but City’s early dominance proved too strong.