A youthful Manchester City side cruised into the Carabao Cup quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Southampton in a heavily one-sided affair at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. Goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero ensured a comfortable evening for the hosts against a poor Saints side who looked frightened of being blown away for the second time in a matter of days, while Pep Guardiola's side kept their quintuple hopes alive.
Positives
City never really looked in any danger of losing this one and spent the vast majority of the opening 70 minutes camped inside the Southampton half. Youngsters Tommy Doyle and Phil Foden pulled all the strings in midfield, while full-backs Kyle Walker and Angelino also impressed, and Aguero looked lively.
Negatives
City will be disappointed to not have created more clear openings in the first half despite leading 2-0 at the break. The hosts were perhaps guilty of switching off in the closing stages as Southampton enjoyed more success, and Guardiola will be annoyed that his side couldn't secure a clean sheet on home soil.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Guardiola must make more rotations in a season than the wheels on the team bus -- nine on this occasion. The Catalan gave vital minutes to some of his younger players, including a full debut for Doyle in midfield, while ensuring his star assets will be fully rested and raring to go when the two sides meet again at the weekend.
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Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Claudio Bravo, 7 -- Stayed alert to deny Sofiane Boufal with a fine fingertip save just past the hour mark, before producing another good stop shortly afterwards. Given no chance by Jack Stephens's thumping header.
DF Kyle Walker, 8 -- Made it nearly impossible for Southampton to escape their own half, pressing superbly and frequently winning possession in dangerous areas. Delivered a pinpoint cross from the right for Aguero to fire home. Replaced by Joao Cancelo in the 65th minute.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 6 -- Picked out Riyad Mahrez with a perfectly weighted, Kevin De Bruyne-esque ball over the top in the opening minutes, but the in-form attacker couldn't quite control. Bullied the Southampton defenders as he opened the scoring with a well-placed header.
DF Eric Garcia, 6 -- Barely had anything to do in a quiet first half, but showed a willingness to tidy up loose balls on halfway before picking a pass forward. Busier after the break but produced a comprehensive defensive display.
DF Angelino, 8 -- Given time and space to press high and get crosses into the visitors' box, one of which could easily have led to the opener when Saints keeper Alex McCarthy could only flap at it. Drew a couple of good saves with decent strikes and continued to impress after half-time.
MF Bernardo Silva, 7 -- An easy night's work. Floated a lovely cross into the box for Otamendi to power home with his head. Inches away from getting on the end of a cheeky Mahrez reverse pass.
MF Tommy Doyle, 6 -- A tidy, composed debut, but the 18-year-old was maybe a little naive in some of his decision making. He showed bags of enthusiasm but blasted straight at a Southampton defender from distance with better options available.
MF Phil Foden, 7 -- Tested a vulnerable-looking McCarthy with a lovely curling effort off the inside of his left boot that was beaten away by the Southampton goalkeeper. Almost crafted a brilliant fourth with a fantastic cross towards the penalty spot from the left.
FW Riyad Mahrez, 7 -- Delivered a delightful, in-swinging cross that somehow managed to evade the head of Aguero as City threatened early on. Capitalised on an abundance of space as he continued to threaten out wide and assisted Aguero's second with a deflected strike.
FW Sergio Aguero, 8 -- Should have done better from a free kick in an ideal area, but failed to hit the target with an uncharacteristically poor effort. Emphatically crashed home City's second with a fine first-time strike and helped himself to a second with a poacher's finish.
FW Gabriel Jesus, 6 -- Endured a quiet opening half hour in which he hardly touched the ball despite City's total dominance. Gradually grew into the game and produced some excellent link-up play in the build-up to City's second.
Substitutes
DF Joao Cancelo, 6 -- Replaced Walker in the 65th minute. Didn't do much wrong, but will be disappointed that his side conceded cheaply from a corner while he was on the pitch.
DF John Stones, N/R -- Replaced Angelino in the 79th minute. Had little to do as City settled at 3-1 and looked to dictate possession from midfield.
MF Adrian Bernabe, N/R -- Replaced Jesus late on. Moved the ball well despite not having too much time to make an impact, but these were valuable minutes for the youngster.