While Huddersfield Town failed to mark the centenary season of their third consecutive English championship with Manchester City’s notable scalp they can puff their chest at keeping a garlanded foe within sight until the end.
Phil Foden was the class act whose first-half opener was complemented by a perfect assist for Savinho’s 74th-minute strike, the Brazilian pinballing his shot off a post and in.
Pep Guardiola cited again how serious the EFL Cup is taken – pointing to City’s four consecutive triumphs (2017-21) – and after going trophyless last term, will be sure to continue to do so when travelling to Swansea in the fourth round.
Pleasing for the manager is how many frontline players’ energy was conserved as the XI who did the job showed nine changes, meaning he can send a far stronger and rested one out for Burnley’s visit on Saturday.
Guardiola said: “[Did] you expect 0-10? Football doesn’t work like that – we conceded one chance, in 88 or 89 minutes, and I know from my 10 seasons away in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup [playing teams] in the Championship or League One it is tricky – we have always behaved really good.”
Guardiola believes Foden is again the force he was 18 months ago. “We have seen already in the last few games – against Arsenal, Napoli and United he was really good,” the manager said. “Phil when playing that position [behind the striker] is a real threat.”
Only Foden and Nico O’Reilly were retained from City’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal, with James Trafford given a first start between the sticks since Gianluigi Donnarumma’s signing on transfer deadline day, and Divine Mukasa his debut. The 18-year-old, listed as a midfielder and operating as the No 9, saw a shot blocked, then his header from Foden’s corner gathered by Lee Nicholls, Town’s keeper.
Lee Grant’s team had defeated Leicester and Sunderland, both on penalties, in previous rounds, so this tie was the reward in a 13th game of his nascent managerial career. The former Manchester United goalkeeper told his men to press, from Dion Charles at the tip to the backline, but the ball moved as quick as the opponents’ collective brain.
As for Foden’s opener: the No 47 drifted into a right-hand pocket, received Matheus Nunes’s pass and turned and fed Mukasa, who returned the ball. At long range, Foden executed an expert low finish.
City’s possession was north of 80% and Foden seemed to enjoy most of it, as he orchestrated the contest. Stones was Guardiola’s nominated captain and Foden the spiritual leader, who sprayed balls left to Savinho, popped along the right to feed Oscar Bobb, wandered over to deliver a corner, then rushed back when Town broke.
City’s stranglehold raised the premium of any glimmer for Grant’s team so Zépiqueno Redmond’s blast over in the visitors’ area was significant.
Foden showed far more composure when he took over in midfield and curved a ball into Rico Lewis; the No 82’s pass into Town’s area was then the correct option, the lack of a colleague to meet it a travesty.
Now, though, Redmond did far better. He swooped along the left and fed Ben Wiles, whose attempt gave City their first scare, careering past Trafford’s goal.
Guardiola’s men handed Town one more when a combination of Foden, Savinho and O’Reilly manoeuvred the ball into the area, where Lewis was inches away from doubling their lead. Next up, Savinho dribbled infield and unloaded: the ball went wide of Nicholls’s right post and City seemed right to claim a corner for a deflection that the referee, Michael Salisbury, was not interested in.
Instantly City had their hands on Town’s throats again but O’Reilly was unable to escape Nicholls’s clutches. Moments later Redmond was, once more, unable to keep his attempt down near Trafford’s goal.
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion
Grimsby Town v Brentford
Swansea City v Manchester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham
Wrexham v Cardiff
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Wolves v Chelsea
Wycombe Wanderers v Fulham
Matches to be played w/c 27 October
Kalvin Phillips, whose last City appearance was on 19 December 2023 at the Club World Cup, was spotted of a group of substitutes warming up, and the midfielder watched on when Sean Roughan lifted a rare Town free-kick into the area – Murray Wallace headed over but City knew the game was not yet closed out.
Phillips entered on 83 minutes to jeers because of his Leeds United connection; then Cameron Ashia hit Trafford’s left post to give Town’s fans a highlight to recall.
Of Phillips, Guardiola said: “Yesterday he was a father to Ari and he came this morning from London and is now going back to his wife and the kids.”
Grant said he was “super-proud of the group”.
