September 22, (THEWILL) – Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola began the defense of a title they had won for a record fourth consecutive time with an inexperienced line-up for his side, particularly in defence, with the entire back four, and defensive midfielder, all making their senior debuts and City still won 6-1.
The squad made certain to avoid a potential scare against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, coming from behind to roundly hammer the League One side with three goals in each half of the tie at the Etihad Stadium.
Coming from the disappointing goalless draw against Southampton on Sunday, Guardiola opted to rest most of his usual starters. However, due to their recent injury absences, vital minutes were handed to Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden supporting a back four class made entirely of four 18-year-olds.
There was a moment when Wycombe’s Brandon Hanlan scored in the 22nd minute where it seemed it was a poor decision to depend entirely on youth for defensive duties for the utterly dominant City, who have won this competition in each of the last four seasons.
But, that doubt lasted only seven odd minutes as the Carabao Cup holders and reigning Premier League champions restored parity. Foden fed De Bruyne in acres of space on the left and the Belgian cut in to fire past Wycombe’s David Stockdale in the visitors’ goal post.
The difference in quality was already obvious before Riyad Mahrez struck the woodwork in the 42nd minute and gave City their lead a minute after. Thanks to a Josh Wilson-Esbrand assist, Mahrez was there to divert the ball into the net for a lovely finish.
Mahrez, who was man of the match, also turned an assist by helping Foden extend the lead to 3-1. The England international later got his second assist of the match when he teed up Ferran Torres, while Mahrez added a fifth goal in the closing stages.
Yet, there was still time for 19-year-old Cole Palmer to round off the scoring with his first senior goal for City to see that the match finished 6-1.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
