Much-changed Manchester City see off Watford in Carabao Cup

Manchester City survived a late scare to get back to winning ways after Sunday’s draining draw against Arsenal with a 2-1 defeat of Watford in the Carabao Cup.

First-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes ultimately proved enough for a much-changed side to reach the fourth round at the expense of their Championship opponents at the Etihad Stadium.

Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond prevented the scoreline becoming a rout with several saves in the second half while Savinho hit the post, but the visitors gained late hope with a fine Tom Ince strike.

Yet, after plenty of last-gasp drama at the weekend, there was to be no nail-biting finish as Pep Guardiola’s side saw out time.

Doku and Kyle Walker were the only starters retained by Guardiola following the Gunners humdinger, though such are his resources that Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and John Stones were among those incoming.

Sixteen-year-old Kaden Braithwaite was handed a debut and there were also chances for fellow teenager Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee, who impressed on loan at Sheffield United last season.

Watford boss Tom Cleverly also made nine changes, perhaps indicating where the game stood in his priorities, and City soon took control.

McAtee might have scored when he miskicked in front of goal in the first minute but he soon made amends when he set up Doku’s fifth-minute opener by seizing on a poor back-pass by Ryan Porteous.

McAtee nipped in front of Bond and the ball was quickly worked, via Grealish, to Doku, who finished tidily after a neat turn.

Kwadwo Baah thought he had equalised after brushing past Braithwaite to fire home but was penalised for a foul on the youngster.

Foden struck a free-kick into the wall before Nunes doubled the lead seven minutes