Matheus Nunes found the back of the net for the first time in a Manchester City shirt, helping Pep Guardiola’s side secure a hard-fought 2-1 win over Watford and book their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Manchester City came out of the gates quickly at the Etihad, showing their class early on. Watford’s Ryan Porteous was caught off-guard just five minutes into the game, gifting City a chance with a sloppy backpass.
James McAtee pounced on the error, setting up Jack Grealish, who laid the ball off perfectly for Jeremy Doku to slot into the bottom corner. It was the perfect start for City, who showed their attacking intent from the very beginning.
City’s early goal set the tone for a match where they were firmly in control, creating chances and keeping possession well.
Watford, meanwhile, struggled to get a foothold in the game and were fortunate not to be further behind early on.
Kwadwo Baah did find the back of the net for Watford in the 21st minute, but his effort was ruled out for a foul on debutant Kaden Braithwaite, much to the relief of the home crowd.
As City piled on the pressure, the second goal was inevitable. Rico Lewis, who had been a lively presence in midfield, made a strong run through Watford’s defense just before halftime.
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His clever pass found Nunes, who calmly fired a low shot past Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond to double City’s lead and score his first goal for the club.
It was a moment of brilliance from the Portuguese midfielder, showcasing why City brought him in during the summer transfer window.
Nunes’ strike came at the perfect time, allowing City to go into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion. Guardiola’s side had complete control over the game, and it looked as though they would cruise to a straightforward victory.
However, Watford refused to roll over. In the second half, City continued to dominate possession and create chances, but Watford held firm.
Tom Ince, Watford’s standout player, provided a moment of quality in the 67th minute, curling a superb shot beyond Stefan Ortega to make it 2-1.
It was a goal out of nowhere, but it breathed life into the visitors, who suddenly found themselves back in the game.
Ince’s goal set up a nervy finish for Manchester City, as Watford began to push forward in search of an equalizer.
While City had created plenty of opportunities to kill off the game, including a shot cleared off the line from Savinho and another effort that hit the post, they couldn’t add a third goal.
Jonathan Bond was impressive in goal for Watford, making key saves to keep his side in the contest.
But despite Watford’s late push, they couldn’t find another breakthrough. City’s defense, led by debutant Kaden Braithwaite, held strong in the final moments, preventing Watford from creating any more clear-cut chances.
Guardiola’s side ultimately held on to secure the win, although it was a closer affair than many expected.
The match marked a significant milestone for Nunes, who scored his first goal for Manchester City since joining the club.
His performance in midfield was encouraging, as he combined well with his teammates and added a dynamic presence to City’s attack.
Nunes’ goal and overall contribution will please Pep Guardiola, who has been gradually integrating the Portuguese international into his system.
Nunes’ ability to make runs from deep and his intelligent positioning were on full display during this match, showing why he could be a vital player for City this season.
With his first goal now in the books, Nunes will be looking to build on this momentum as the team continues their quest for silverware on multiple fronts.
Rico Lewis, who provided the assist for Nunes’ goal, was another standout performer. The young midfielder’s energetic display was crucial in City’s control of the game, and his forward runs consistently troubled Watford’s defense.
Lewis’ development under Guardiola has been impressive, and performances like this suggest he will have a big role to play as the season progresses.
For Watford, this defeat continues a difficult trend against Manchester City. The Hornets have now lost 16 consecutive matches against City across all competitions, with an aggregate score of 60-9 over those games. City’s dominance over Watford has been overwhelming in recent years, and this match was no different despite the close scoreline.
Watford’s manager, Valérien Ismaël, will take some positives from his team’s resilience and late fightback, but the lack of clear chances and reliance on City’s mistakes will be a concern as they turn their attention back to their Championship campaign.
