Riyadh Mahrez scores 2, as a youthful City team destroy League One side Wycombe in the Carabao Cup. Guardiola praises the City academy.
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as holders Manchester City came back from 0-1 behind to thrash League One Wycombe and reach the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
Gareth Ainsworth’s visitors took a shock lead through Brandon Hanlan. The City defence looked static as Ryan Tafazolli rolled the ball across the face of goal and found Hanlan completely unmarked. The striker made no mistake with the tap-in to make the score 0-1.
However, the lead wasn’t to last long as Kevin de Bruyne levelled for City just 7 minutes later. The midfielder got on the end of a superb through-ball from Phil Foden, cut back onto his right foot and coolly finished past David Stockdale in the Wycombe goal.
Mahrez scored his brace either side of half-time, with Phil Foden producing a beautiful left-footed, swerving bullet from outside the box and Ferran Torres with an easy tap-in, also beating veteran goalkeeper Stockdale.
Substitute Cole Palmer added the 6th with his 1st goal for the club. He ran from the halfway line, as the Wycombe defenders backed off, before curling in a sweet left-footed shot from 20 yards.
It was a successful evening for City’s youngsters, with Pep Guardiola handing out senior debuts to academy graduates Conrad Egan-Riley, Luke Mbete, Finley Burns, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, and Romeo Lavia, who all shone.
“I am just going to say thank you very much to all the Academy. They have many good players, not just one or two. We can count on them absolutely. With their skills and desire, they have got it at this club. I am so proud to be the manager of this club“, Guardiola said after the game.
Victory means Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in the Carabao Cup since October 2016 and have reached the last 16 for the 5th season in succession!
