Man City 2-0 Fulham: five things learned as Diaz’s double secures a Carabao Cup quarter-final place

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Manchester City defeated Fulham 2-0 this evening at the Etihad Stadium to progress to the quarter-finals of the Football League Cup.

With City naturally bossing possession in the opening stages of the match, it took just 18 minutes for City to go ahead.

Spanish playmaker Brahim Díaz was the first to react on a loose ball in the box and his strike from 12 yards – via a deflection off of Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic – fired into the back of the net to put the hosts ahead and grab his first competitive goal for the club.

Into the second half, Diaz got his second goal for the club from yards out after Gabriel Jesus’ shot hit the post, putting the game beyond doubt.

The win means City will face either Leicester City or Southampton in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Here are five things we learnt in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory against Fulham in the Football League Cup.

Cottagers just can’t beat City

From the off, it seemed as if the Londoners were trying to limit how many goals they were going to concede, almost forgetting that they were in a knockout cup competition.

Understandable of course with their terrible defensive record. In just 10 games in the Premier League, the Craven Cottage club have conceded a mighty 28 goals, averaging a horrific 2.8 goals per match.

Diaz’s goal early in the first half meant that Fulham have kept just one clean sheet – versus Exeter City in the second round of the Football League Cup –  since their 1-0 play-off final victory against Aston Villa.

The only real consolation is that they limited Manchester City to just two goals, below their usual average. Other than that, rapid improvements needed and fast.

They haven’t reached the quarter-final of the Football League Cup in 14 years when they managed to do just that in the 2004/05 season. With little attacking threat offered, Jokanović can at least concentrate all his efforts on preserving Fulham’s top-flight status…and his job.

Guardiola breaks fourth round hoodoo

Last season saw Guardiola coach City into playing some of the most attractive and effective football that the Premier League has ever seen.

The holders beat Arsenal 3-0 last season in the Football League Cup final as they managed to get their hands on a domestic double.

However, in his previous two Football League Cup campaigns, Guardiola has never seen his side score in the fourth round of the competition.

In 2016 they lost 1-0 to arch-rivals Manchester United and last season’s triumph included a 0-0 draw with then-Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, with City prevailing on penalties.

A goal after 18 minutes put to bed this ‘barren run’ for Guardiola and normality was resumed.

Diaz’s double proves Sancho right

A double show from Diaz put City into the next round and proved that City have a large variety of youngsters making their way through the ranks.

This is of course great news for City but it has made other clubs aware of the talent Diaz possesses, with a former City player informing his employers of the Spaniard’s ability.

Jadon Sancho – who has amazed this season for Borussia Dortmund – has reportedly told the German outfit that Diaz would be a valuable addition to their squad.

Dortmund have a history of snatching exciting youngsters from the Premier League champions – Sancho is case and point – surely history can’t repeat itself?

KDB reminds everyone what Man City have been missing

A lengthy injury at the start of the season denied Kevin De Bruyne the opportunity to start the season helping his side continue their excellent form from their previous campaign.

Of course, City have still done well without the talented playmaker but De Bruyne’s showing tonight proved that the Belgium international can add even more to Guardiola’s line-up.

De Bruyne made four key passes, had a pass success rate of 91% and was the link up man in the middle of the pitch in tonight’s victory.

A nod to Leroy Sane who created 11 chances for his teammates.

City have two title-chasing squads

Fulham were always going to be mighty underdogs for this fixture considering both their current form in the Premier League and the extreme talent that Manchester City possess in depth.

City made 10 changes prior to kick-off with just John Stones keeping his place in the line-up. Despite these changes, Guardiola was still able to field the likes of club legend Vincent Kompany, Fabian Delph, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus.

A side with the above names would still produce some pretty decent results in the Premier League so with Guardiola including these players BECAUSE of making 10 changes is quite extraordinary.

No other club in the country, perhaps even the world, can confess to having the same luxuries.

Football League Cup quarter-finals – who gets who?

With City through to the last eight of the competition, the quarter-final fixtures are now all concluded and we can see what is to come.

The biggest tie of the quarters will see north London’s two biggest sides face off as Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea side defeated Derby County 3-2 in a close affair that saw the return of club legend Frank Lampard. The Blues will host AFC Bournemouth in the next round.

Championship side Middlesborough host League One outfit Burton Albion, while City will face either Leicester City or Southampton away, with the Leicester match postponed until further notice.

The post Man City 2-0 Fulham: five things learned as Diaz’s double secures a Carabao Cup quarter-final place appeared first on Squawka News.



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