Carabao Cup 2017/18 - Leicester City 1-1(3-4) Manchester City: 5 Talking Points

#4 Different names, same Manchester City

Different team, same results

Upon his arrival in the Premier League last season, Pep Guardiola couldn’t fathom why there were two active cup competitions in English football. Obviously, well aware of the FA Cup’s history and pedigree, it soon became apparent that the former Barcelona boss would use the Carabao Cup as an opportunity to give some youngsters a chance to sink or swim.

The fact that his Barça side had an identity running through it was what made it so special. Of course, the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi were key in the big games, but everyone in the entire squad knew their role when called upon.

Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz, Oluwatosin Adarabioyo and Alexander Zinchenko rarely come close to donning the sky blue shirt in the Premier League, but judging by their respective performances on Tuesday night, it won’t be long until they do.

Leicester utilised their physicality to gain a foothold in the game early on, but they were no match for the blend of power and technique when the likes of Yaya Toure, Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz and Ilkay Gundogan got on the ball.

City were as quick, incisive and connected as ever, winning the ball from pressing high with and counter-attacking in devastating fashion. Much of that was thanks to Zinchenko pushing into midfield from fullback, and Foden drifting across the pitch with such grace for a 17-year-old. Bernardo Silva stepped up, too, and was rightly named the man of the match.