Matheus Nunes scored his first goal for Manchester City, helping Pep Guardiola’s team advance to the third round of the EFL Cup with a win over Championship side Watford.
On a night when 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite became the third-youngest player to start for City and the youngest under Guardiola, Nunes followed up Jeremy Doku’s fifth-minute opener with a precise finish early in the first half.
Nunes, who joined from Wolves for £53 million just over a year ago, has failed to make the expected impression.
The Portuguese international only started seven times last season and has only managed 20 minutes in the Premier League this season, making three substitute appearances.
But Guardiola has not sidelined Nunes in the same way he did another expensive midfielder, Kalvin Phillips, and he stepped into the breach with a remarkable performance just two days after the thrilling draw with Arsenal.
In addition to his goal, a low shot from the edge of the box that found the bottom corner, he also had a fine shot saved by Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond in the second half and another attempt on goal was blocked.
Doku was one of two City starters to defend his place in the game against Arsenal. He benefited from Ryan Porteous’s poor back pass early on, which allowed James McAtee to take the ball away from Bond. When the ball was played back to the edge of the box, the Belgian finished.
This was the reason for Watford’s 16th consecutive defeat to City. However, considering they had conceded 26 goals in their last five defeats alone, this was a morale win for Tom Cleverley’s team. Tom Ince’s consolation goal in the 86th minute gave them hope of taking the game to penalties.
