Man City player ratings vs Watford as Rico Lewis and Savinho impress

Matheus Nunes of Manchester City (right) celebrates with teammate Rico Lewis after scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Watford
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A much-changed Manchester City side were too slick for Watford as they booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The fixture had caused a storm when it was announced given it came just two days after the Arsenal game. However, after the furious intensity that the Gunners brought with them the Etihad was much calmer as a City team with nine new faces - one newer than the rest in 16-year-old defender Kaden Braithwaite - moved through the gears.

Tom Ince scored a late goal to spark some late Watford interest but earlier strikes from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes had given the home side an advantage they did not relinquish. Here are how the players rated out of 10.

READ MORE: "A while" - Pep gives Rodri update amid reports of season-ending injury

READ MORE: Who is Kaden Braithwaite? 16-year-old Man City defender in debut vs Watford

Ortega: May as well have watched the game from the stands for all he had to do in the game other than picking the ball out of the net. No chance to impress. 6

Walker: A much quieter matchday, mopping everything up at the back from a centre-half position. 7

Stones: No big goal but a solid enough performance to build his minutes. He will be needed without Rodri. 7

Braithwaite: Did not have it all his own way against the tricky Baah and came off with cramp in the second half. 6

Lewis: The heartbeat of the City team getting involved in every bit of play, and contributed for the second goal. 8

O'Reilly: Growing in the role and looks to have shot up literally from his appearance in the Community Shield. Didn't enjoy complete control but helped to push City forward. 7

McAtee: Some nice work on and off the ball, taking the ball from the keeper for the first goal, although will rue an early missed chance. 7

Nunes: A nicely taken goal to give City a comfortable lead, albeit a few ropey moments in the game that left Guardiola unimpressed. 7

Doku: Took his goal nicely and was always looking to take his man on and create something else for the attack. 7

Grealish: Showed intent from the off and earned an early assist. Kept taking on the Watford defence to continue his momentum. 7

Foden: Improved in the second half but still gave the impression he was finding his pace - not helped by having his back to goal so often as a forward. 6

Substitutes

Savinho (for Doku, 46) Lively from the moment he came on and the post denied him a brilliant solo goal. 8

Wright (for O'Reilly, 73) Made himself busy in the middle. 6

Gvardiol (for Braithwaite, 76) Slotted in without any fuss. 6

Not used: Ederson, Dias, Akanji, Kovacic, Gundogan, Silva