Lessons From The Carabao

A heavily rotated Manchester City side did the job away to League One side Oxford United last night although, at times, it was hard work. In the end it was comfortable for the Blues, and gave Pep Guardiola some more insight into some of his fringe players.

Starts were given to youngsters Muric, Foden and Diaz while some more experienced heads were welcomed back into the first team. It was good, for example, to see Vincent Kompany back in the side. So what would we have learnt from yesterdays progression to the next round?

Carabao Defense Starts Now

The defending Carabao Cup Champions, Manchester City, travel the 165 miles south on Tuesday. Taking on League One side Oxford, the Blues will be looking to make it two away wins from two. Of course the reality is that Pep Guardiola will heavily rotate his side from the side that defeated Cardiff on Saturday.

Raking the competitions in order of importance, this one would be the last one on the list, and first one to be sacrificed if need be. That said, winning a trophy in March does tend to give any side a boost for the final stretch. So, how will Pep line up his side?

Blues Back To Winning Ways In Cardiff

I don't think any Manchester City fan ever imagined it would be anything other than a Blues win. I had said, after the Champions League result midweek, that a reaction was needed. How we played in the following game would show us a lot of the character of the team.

In the end it was comfortable, and wrapped up by half time. Pep Guardiola's side now moves to second, ahead of Chelsea, who couldn't break down a Zabaleta led Hammers defence. So what of that performance from Manchester City yesterday? What positives and negatives arose from the 90 minutes in Wales?

Classy City Sweep Aside Terriers - Players Rated

Manchester City made it two for two at the weekend with a sublime performance against Huddersfield Town on Sunday. On a day which saw players from the 1987, 10-1 demolition invited back to City, Peps boys put on a celebratory display.

In a later article I will look at the different talking points from the game. For now though, lets get down to the player ratings. There were a number of fine performances, and even an appearance from young Phil Foden, something I had suggested might happen in my preview a few days ago.

Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne Injured

He came on for 30 minutes last weekend, just in time to see Bernardo Silva double the Blues lead. It was meant to be a slow introduction back into the pace of the Premier League for KDB, who had just returned to the side.

Having been part of the Belgium side to secure third spot in the recent World Cup, his subsequent vacation had seen him miss taking part in the Community Shield victory seven days prior. He would surely have got his first start this weekend against Huddersfield before injuring himself during training.

City Lift Community Shield: Sarri Not Sarri

Manchester City welcomed back some more World Cup stars for the English traditional curtain raiser at Wembley. In a previous article I had written that it would be no big deal, in the grand scheme of things, if City were to lose this game. Certainly it would not be something we would, as fans, reflect on negatively if we would go on to win the League again, or Champions League.

Traditional Curtain Raiser: Community Shield Preview

The World Cup is now a long past memory for football fans around the world. Pre season games have begun and, for some, have even finished. Attention now turns to the start of a brand new Premier League season and all the drama that involves.

Before that kicks off in a little over a weeks time, we have the Community Shield. The traditional curtain raiser it certainly is a game which means less than when I was growing up. It is always nice to see your side lift silverware, don't get me wrong, but in today's football climate it really hasn't kept its sparkle.

Manchester City Pre Season: Boys Beat Bayern

Manchester City lined up for their final of the three International Champions Cup against Bayern at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Pep went with his usual starting eleven which includes numerous youngsters, along with new signing Riyad Mahrez.

Using the competition to give minutes for the younger players, Pep has been impressed with the hunger and desire shown by his young charges. Early on in the game they showed exactly what they could do, with good quick interplay in the opposition half.