A League Cup semi-final was on the line when Manchester City took on Brentford on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola chose the evening in honor of resting his super star at the tip of the spear, Erling Haaland. Instead, young Divine Mukasa led the attack line for the home team.
In Brentford, the former Elfsborg goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson got the chance between the posts.
The Icelander had to pick the ball out of the back of the net after just over half an hour of play when Rayan Cherki pulled away with a bang shot from outside the penalty area.
– My God, what a rocket that is from Rayan Cherki. The shot almost tore the net off the posts, says journalist Shamoon Hafezi BBC.
City took a 1-0 lead into half-time but also suffered another potential injury. Oscar Bobb went out after only 18 minutes and took the back thigh. Worrying for the Norwegian who spent all of last season in the rehab room, then after a broken leg.
However, the injuries did not stop City extending their advantage in the second half when Savinho made it 2-0 after a quick counterattack.
That position stood the match and Manchester City thereby secured a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup, which will be decided in January.
Startelvor:
Man City: Trafford – Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly – Nico, Reijnders – Bobb, Cherki, Savinho – Mukasa
Brentford: Valdimarsson – Kayode, Van den Berg, Ajer, Collins, Henry – Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Damsgaard – Schade.
Keep reading
