Man City vs Watford LIVE! Carabao Cup result, match stream and latest updates today | OneFootball

Hornets sting late on but Pep Guardiola’s side hold out

Matheus Nunes scored his first Manchester City goal in his 34th appearance as the hosts eased to a 2-1 victory over second-tier Watford to reach the fourth round of the League Cup on Tuesday.

Jeremy Doku slotted in City's opener after five minutes and Nunes produced a clinical finish in the 38th minute to put Pep Guardiola's side in control at The Etihad.

Watford have suffered some horrible Premier League maulings against City in recent seasons but they refused to capitulate and Tom Ince gave them an 86th-minute lifeline with a curler.

Eight-time winners City avoided being dragged in to a penalty shootout though despite some late Watford pressure.

City were back in action little more than 48 hours after their seismic clash with Arsenal in the Premier League and Guardiola rotated his squad with several regulars rested, handing a first start to 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite.

His low finish from just outside the penalty area was superb and he could have had a hat-trick but for good saves in the second half by Watford keeper Jonathan Bond.

Watford had begun badly with a poor back pass by Ryan Porteous intercepted by James McAtee before Jack Grealish squared for Doku to spin and tuck away a fine finish.

The visitors had conceded 26 goals in their last five clashes against City, including an 8-0 drubbing in the Premier League in 2019 but proved more resilient this time.

They had a goal ruled out in the first half when Kwadwo Baah was adjudged to have barged over Braithwaite before shooting past Stefan Ortega. But they got their reward late on when Ince finished off a fine move with a left-foot stunner.

Live updates

4 minutes ago

Good night!

Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup win over Watford.

Find our report and reaction below!

4 minutes ago

Pep Guardiola makes Rodri vow as Man City surgery confirmed

Pep Guardiola has insisted it is his ‘duty’ to find a replacement for Rodri with the midfielder ruled out with a long-term injury.

The midfielder could be missing for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.

And speaking after City progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Watford, Guardiola revealed his thoughts on how he will replace the Spaniard.

Read the full story here!

Action Images via Reuters

1 hour ago

Man City hold on to reach Carabao Cup fourth round

Manchester City escaped a nervy finale to book their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory over Watford.

First-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes were enough to see Pep Guardiola’s side through at the Eithad.

A late curling effort from Tom Ince gave Watford hope in the final minutes, but City managed to hold on.

Read the full story here!

1 hour ago

FT: Man City 2-1 Watford

City have edged through in the end after a nervy finale.

Watford go out of the Carabao Cup as City progress.

1 hour ago

Man City 2-1 Watford

90+2 mins: Watford get a well-positioned free-kick with the travelling fans urging their team on, but City get the ball away.

John Stones then bizarrely hits the ball out to give Watford another chance.

1 hour ago

Man City 2-1 Watford

88 mins: Watford have come to life in the final minutes as City feel the pressure.

This is not what Pep Guardiola will have had in mind.

1 hour ago

GOAL! Man City 2-1 Watford | Ince '86

86 mins: May have spoken too soon there as Tom Ince curls a beautiful effort into the far corner.

That’s Ince’s fourth goal in the Carabao Cup this season after his hat-trick in the first round.

1 hour ago

Man City 2-0 Watford

81 mins: Savinho pulls back a lovely ball but Grealish can’t apply the finish, with Bond saving well.

1 hour ago

Man City 2-0 Watford

80 mins: City keep pushing but they just can’t find the third here.

City fans will allow themselves to start thinking about Newcastle soon.

1 hour ago

Man City 2-0 Watford

75 mins: City youngster Braithwaite goes down with cramp, giving Watford the chance to make a double change.

Pollock and Vata come on for Ebosele and Baah, before Braithwaite is replaced by Josko Gvardiol.