Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Manchester City and Chelsea Advance in the League Cup

French international striker Christopher Nkunku led his team to the fourth round of the English Football League Cup by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over fourth-tier side Barrow in the third round. Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Leicester City also secured their spots in the next round.

Nkunku netted his three goals in the 8th, 15th, and 75th minutes, while Barrow’s goalkeeper, Paul Farman, scored an own goal in the 28th minute, and Portuguese player Pedro Neto added a fourth in the 48th minute.

Nkunku has now raised his tally to six goals in seven matches this season, yet he still struggles to secure a regular spot in coach Enzo Maresca’s starting lineup, with the Italian coach preferring Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson over him.

Maresca made 11 changes to the team that defeated West Ham United 3-0 on Saturday.

Manchester City returned to winning ways after a 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League’s fifth round, defeating second-tier Watford (Championship) 2-1 with goals from Belgian Jeremy Doku (5′) and Portuguese Matheus Nunes (38′). Tom Ince scored for Watford in the 86th minute.

After the match, City’s coach Pep Guardiola explained that he bears the responsibility for finding a way to adapt without his main midfielder, Rodri, who is likely to miss the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury.

Guardiola said: “Rodri will be out for a long time. Some opinions suggest it might be shorter than we expect, but unfortunately, he’s injured. We’re now waiting for the final calls from him and the doctors to know exactly what he’s dealing with and what type of surgery he’ll need.”

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach acknowledged that Rodri’s absence is a significant blow, but he believes that City, who have won four consecutive Premier League titles, can remain competitive.

He added: “We’ll have a good season, I have great confidence in my players. I must find a solution.”

He continued: “Rodri is irreplaceable. When the team plays without the best midfielder in the world for an extended period, it’s a big blow, but it’s my duty to find a solution so that we remain as competitive as we have been for many years. When a player is irreplaceable, the team must work together, and that’s what will happen.”

Other Results

Aston Villa secured a tough 2-1 win against hosts Wycombe, with goals from Argentine Emiliano Buendía (55′) and Colombian John Durán (84′ from a penalty), while Ivorian Richard Koné scored for Wycombe in stoppage time (90+5′).

Leicester City needed penalties to overcome fourth-tier Walsall 3-0 after a goalless draw in regular time.

The three clubs join Manchester United, Tottenham, Brighton, Stoke City, Southampton, Preston, Sheffield Wednesday, Crystal Palace, and Brentford, who secured their spots last week.

Liverpool face West Ham United, and Arsenal play Bolton on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s match against second-tier side AFC Wimbledon was postponed after a sinkhole emerged on Wimbledon’s pitch, caused by heavy flooding in the capital earlier this week.

The match, initially scheduled for Thursday, has been moved to St. James’ Park in Newcastle and will take place on October 1st.

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