Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City have won their first games in the EFL Cup campaign.
These two clubs have come to the sword against each other many times in the English competition. Manchester City has been in a slightly greater form when compared with the Blues in recent years. Guardiola’s side are currently the holders of the Premier League title.
Chelsea did not have a good 2023 season as they sat in the sixth position of the Premier League table. Ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino left Stamford Bridge due to clashes with directors of the club. A new and rather inexperienced manager was brought on by the club.
Italian manager Enzo Maresca was handed over the command of the Blues. There were initial doubts about how the relatively inexperienced manager would manage this big of a team. These doubts however soon faded. Maresca has helped the club in consecutive and dominating wins this season. They only lost their opening game to title holders Manchester City.
Chelsea won their round of 16 match against League 2 table toppers Barrow. Maresca’s men thrashed the fellow English club with a 5-0 scoreline. The attacking lineup of Chelsea took full advantage of Barrow’s weak defensive setup. Stephen Clemce’s men were clueless as the opposition was already three up in the first half an hour.
Manchester City continue with their winning ways with a victory over Watford in the Carabao Cup. Pep Guardiola’s player found an early breakthrough with Jeremy Doku scoring the opener. Matheus Nunes added to the lead as he scored his first goal for the club. The Premier League champions eased through Watford. They will face Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Players’ brilliance hands the Blues victory
Enzo Maresca has led the Blues to yet another consecutive win streak this season. The Blues started their EFL Cup journey with a win over Barrow.
A number of players from the e Chelsea camp got their chance to impress the manager. These impressive contributions paved the road to the team winning 5-0.
Christopher Nkunku managed to score a brilliant hat trick in the last 16 matches of the EFL Cup. Nkunku now has scored 6 goals in seven appearances. The form of the player was criticized before the start of the season. Maresca has put faith in the player which has rooted out nothing but positive outcomes.
A brilliant free kick from Joao Felix also led to a goal. The ball was headed towards the goal by the Portuguese, it hit the keeper and was counted as an own-goal. The angle at which Felix hit it was brilliant but the back of the Barrow keeper tucked the ball in.
New and young players also got their chance to shine in the recent match. One such brilliant talent is 17-year-old Pedro Neto. The youngster provided fluidity to the game and also scored his first goal for the Blues early in the second half. The manager was impressed with his players and said that they would look to continue their winning streak.
Manchester City boss will not waste resources in the EFL Cup
The Premier League champions also started their Carabao Cup in winning ways. Pep Guardiola’s men edged a 2-1 victory over Watford.
Guardiola has won the cup four times with Manchester City. The manager however has said that he will not waste his and the team’s energy in the EFL Cup. The four-time victors are one of the favourites to win the silverware again. Manchester City however have reduced their focus to smaller trophies.
The manager said that the team will direct the time and energy to bigger competitions such as the Premier League and Champions League. While talking to the English media Pep said-
“We are not going to waste our energy on this competition, for sure”.
Manchester City had already come from an exhausting game against their rivals Arsenal. The Carabao Cup competition had shifted more stress and fatigue to their players. The manager made this important decision after their star player Rodri suffered an ACL injury.
Rodri, who is one of the key players for the club is also a Ballon d’Or nominee this year. The midfielder has been instrumental in painting Manchester City’s victory streak. The Premier League champions will face Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
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