Man City vs Watford LIVE! Carabao Cup result, match stream and latest updates today
Matheus Nunes scored his first Manchester City goal in his 34th appearance as the hosts eased to a 2-1 victory over second-tier Watford to reach the fourth round of the League Cup on Tuesday.
Jeremy Doku slotted in City's opener after five minutes and Nunes produced a clinical finish in the 38th minute to put Pep Guardiola's side in control at The Etihad.
Watford have suffered some horrible Premier League maulings against City in recent seasons but they refused to capitulate and Tom Ince gave them an 86th-minute lifeline with a curler.
Eight-time winners City avoided being dragged in to a penalty shootout though despite some late Watford pressure.
City were back in action little more than 48 hours after their seismic clash with Arsenal in the Premier League and Guardiola rotated his squad with several regulars rested, handing a first start to 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite.
His low finish from just outside the penalty area was superb and he could have had a hat-trick but for good saves in the second half by Watford keeper Jonathan Bond.
Watford had begun badly with a poor back pass by Ryan Porteous intercepted by James McAtee before Jack Grealish squared for Doku to spin and tuck away a fine finish.
The visitors had conceded 26 goals in their last five clashes against City, including an 8-0 drubbing in the Premier League in 2019 but proved more resilient this time.
They had a goal ruled out in the first half when Kwadwo Baah was adjudged to have barged over Braithwaite before shooting past Stefan Ortega. But they got their reward late on when Ince finished off a fine move with a left-foot stunner.
Man City vs Watford latest news
Man City escape to reach Carabao Cup fourth round
Pep Guardiola makes Rodri vow as Man City surgery confirmed
Good night!
23:08 , Jonathan Gorrie
Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup win over Watford.
Find our report and reaction below!
Pep Guardiola makes Rodri vow as Man City surgery confirmed
23:07 , Jonathan Gorrie
Pep Guardiola has insisted it is his ‘duty’ to find a replacement for Rodri with the midfielder ruled out with a long-term injury.
The midfielder could be missing for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
And speaking after City progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Watford, Guardiola revealed his thoughts on how he will replace the Spaniard.
Man City hold on to reach Carabao Cup fourth round
21:48 , Jamie Dickenson
Manchester City escaped a nervy finale to book their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory over Watford.
First-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes were enough to see Pep Guardiola’s side through at the Eithad.
A late curling effort from Tom Ince gave Watford hope in the final minutes, but City managed to hold on.
FT: Man City 2-1 Watford
21:37 , Jamie Dickenson
City have edged through in the end after a nervy finale.
Watford go out of the Carabao Cup as City progress.
Man City 2-1 Watford
21:35 , Jamie Dickenson
90+2 mins: Watford get a well-positioned free-kick with the travelling fans urging their team on, but City get the ball away.
John Stones then bizarrely hits the ball out to give Watford another chance.
Man City 2-1 Watford
21:31 , Jamie Dickenson
88 mins: Watford have come to life in the final minutes as City feel the pressure.
This is not what Pep Guardiola will have had in mind.
GOAL! Man City 2-1 Watford | Ince '86
21:29 , Jamie Dickenson
86 mins: May have spoken too soon there as Tom Ince curls a beautiful effort into the far corner.
That’s Ince’s fourth goal in the Carabao Cup this season after his hat-trick in the first round.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:24 , Jamie Dickenson
81 mins: Savinho pulls back a lovely ball but Grealish can’t apply the finish, with Bond saving well.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:23 , Jamie Dickenson
80 mins: City keep pushing but they just can’t find the third here.
City fans will allow themselves to start thinking about Newcastle soon.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:19 , Jamie Dickenson
75 mins: City youngster Braithwaite goes down with cramp, giving Watford the chance to make a double change.
Pollock and Vata come on for Ebosele and Baah, before Braithwaite is replaced by Josko Gvardiol.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:16 , Jamie Dickenson
72 mins: Guardiola brings on Jacob Wright with Nico O’Reilly making way.
The 19-year-old has done well in midfield for City this evening.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:14 , Jamie Dickenson
70 mins: Great build-up play from Grealish and Savinho as City press home for a third.
They have another chance straight away as Foden lets fly but the keeper parries.
Savinho then hits the post after a wonderful solo effort from inside his own half.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:09 , Jamie Dickenson
67 mins: Foden loses the ball and Watford break, but Baah can’t find the target after fashioning some space in the box.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:07 , Jamie Dickenson
64 mins: Great clearance from Tom Ince on the line as Watford do very well to avoid conceding a third.
Watford then break, but Grealish and Stones get the ball away.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:05
62 mins: Watford have just their second attempt of the game, with Louza dragging his shot wide.
Man City 2-0 Watford
21:02 , Jamie Dickenson
59 mins: Grealish lets out a laugh after Porteous buys a cheap-looking free-kick from the ref.
Will Guardiola make any changes soon? The talent on City’s bench is frightening...
Cleverley goes first though, bringing on Dele-Bashiru and Chakvetadze for Larouci and Bayo.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:58 , Jamie Dickenson
55 mins: Foden goes through in the box but can’t get a shot off again, before Watford waste their chance to counter.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:56 , Jamie Dickenson
53 mins: McAtee slides the ball across the box but there isn’t anyone in a light blue shirt to tuck it in.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:53 , Jamie Dickenson
50 mins: Phil Foden - who has been quiet this evening - comes to life on the edge of the box but can’t convert his strike.
Watford then spring a dangerously-looking break but City get numbers back to snuff out the threat.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:51 , Jamie Dickenson
48 mins: Savinho gets his first cross in but it is taken comfortably by Watford keeper Jonathan Bond.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:48 , Jamie Dickenson
46 mins: We are back underway at the Etihad, with Jeremy Doku making way for Savinho.
Pep Guardiola will have told his team to get the third quickly here.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:42 , Jamie Dickenson
Not too sure what is going on here? Well it looks like Rico Lewis didn’t think Mattheus Nunes smiled enough when celebrating his goal, so he took matters into his own hands.
Nunes has looked a little frustrated this evening so far but he has to be happy with that strike.
HT: Man City 2-0 Watford
20:32 , Jamie Dickenson
Goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes give Manchester City a healthy half-time lead here.
They have had the lion’s share of the ball and will want to score more in the second period.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:31
44 mins: Watford have struggled to get the ball - let alone create many chances - but they have a spell in City’s half towards the end of the first 45 minutes.
A great ball in gave them the chance they were looking for but Bayo’s header goes agonisingly wide.
Man City 2-0 Watford
20:26 , Jamie Dickenson
40 mins: Doku passes the ball out of play after some good build-up from City.
GOAL! Man City 2-0 Watford | Nunes '37
20:24
37 mins: Lewis and Nunes play a neat one-two on the edge of the box, before Nunes fires home a great effort.
That’s the first goal Nunes has ever scored for City.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:19 , Jamie Dickenson
33 mins: Grealish and Foden stand over the free-kick, but Foden’s effort is tame.
Watford counter on the break but the chance comes to nothing.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:15 , Jamie Dickenson
29 mins: Nunes chips a ball into the box and it falls to Doku, but his effort is blocked.
The Belgian has probably been City’s best player in the first 30 minutes here.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:14
27 mins: Phil Foden whips a wicked ball in that causes a collision between goalkeeper and defender in the Watford ranks.
It’s almost like a defence versus attack training game this.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:11 , Jamie Dickenson
25 mins: City have had over 75% of possession, but as you’d expect with a much-changed team they haven’t hit their stride just yet.
Jack Grealish goes on a mazy run into the box but doesn’t release it in time.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:09 , Jamie Dickenson
23 mins: Who remembers Angelo Ogbonna? The Italy defender is making his debut for Watford here after leaving West Ham in the summer.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:07 , Jamie Dickenson
21 mins: DISALLOWED GOAL! Baah has the ball in the net for Watford, but his effort is chalked off for a foul on Braithwaite.
No goal for the Hornets but a positive foray forward for the visitors.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:04 , Jamie Dickenson
18 mins: City are playing really high up the pitch, with Watford camped out on the edge of their box already.
It’s a great evening for City’s young players - Braithwaite, O’Reilly and McAtee - to make an impression.
Man City 1-0 Watford
20:02 , Jamie Dickenson
16 mins: Jeremy Doku’s goal is his first of the season.
He managed six in all competitions last term following his move from Rennes.
City are pressing for a second now, with Phil Foden growing into the game.
Man City 1-0 Watford
19:58
12 mins: Matheus Nunes hits one from range, but it isn’t dangerous enough to trouble the Watford keeper.
This is a good chance for Nunes to impress his manager Pep Guardiola and get more game time for Manchester City.
Man City 1-0 Watford
19:55 , Jamie Dickenson
9 mins: Doku is looking lively here, the winger whips in an enticing cross but there is no one there.
That is the one issue City have when they don’t play Erling Haaland - with Julian Alvarez now at Atletico Madrid they don’t have another proper striker.
Man City 1-0 Watford
19:53 , Jamie Dickenson
8 mins: Watford have their first foray forward but Tom Ince’s free-kick comes to nothing.
Tom Cleverley will be furious his side have conceded so cheaply here.
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Watford | Doku '5
19:51 , Jamie Dickenson
5 mins: Watford inexplicably lose the ball in their own box, with James McAtee playing it to Jack Grealish who finds Jeremy Doku.
Doku gets himself set and rolls the ball into the corner. That was too easy.
Man City 0-0 Watford
19:48 , Jamie Dickenson
3 mins: If the first few minutes are anything to go by it could be a long night for Watford.
Manchester City are dominating the ball in their opponent’s half.
KICK-OFF
19:46
Watford get us underway here at the Eithad, with Jack Grealish making an early run down the left.
James McAtee couldn’t react quick enough.
Kick-off coming
19:40 , Jamie Dickenson
We are just five minutes away from kick-off now...
City slickers
19:33 , Jamie Dickenson
Pep Guardiola has started five England internationals for Manchester City this evening.
So much for a second team then...
Cleverley does it
19:21 , Jamie Dickenson
Tom Cleverley has told his Watford side to move on after their 4-1 defeat to Norwich on Saturday.
"You don’t dwell on that result,” he said. “And it’s not been an ideal preparation for them [Manchester City], and I think they’ll have to make 11 changes.
"I would assume they will change their entire team, it’s just not physically possible to play a big game against Inter last week, big game against Arsenal, huge game against Newcastle this coming weekend, and to ask their players to go again 48 hours after Sunday.
"Whoever they put out, it’ll be a big test for us."
Boys in blue
19:15 , Jamie Dickenson
Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku are the only players who start tonight that were part of the side that kicked off against Arsenal just two days ago.
Jack Grealish will be hoping to press his case for more game time this evening.
Haaland back in Norway
19:11 , Jamie Dickenson
Erling Haaland is not in the Manchester City squad tonight as he returns to Norway for the funeral of a family friend.
Ivar Eggja - the best man at Alf-Inge Haaland’s wedding and considered an uncle by Erling - passed away at the age of 59 earlier this month.
Haaland was offered compassionate leave by the club ahead of the Brentford game, but decided to play and scored twice in a 2-1 win.
The 24-year-old flew back to his homeland yesterday, with the funeral set to take place this week.
Haaland is expected to return for the trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
Watford confirmed starting XI
19:01 , Jamie Dickenson
Watford XI: Bond, Porteous, Ogbonna, Morris, Ebosele, Larouci, Ince, Louza, Sema, Bayo, Baah.
Subs: Marriott, Pollock, Chakvetadze, Vata, Dwomoh, Tikvic, Doumbia, Dele-Bashiru, Adu-Poku.
McAtee's first Etihad start
19:00 , Jamie Dickenson
James McAtee starts at the Etihad for the first time as a Manchester City player.
He did start the Community Shield game against Manchester United won on penalties last month, having spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
Man City confirmed starting XI
18:51 , Jamie Dickenson
Man City XI: Ortega Moreno; Walker (c), Stones, Braithwaite, Lewis; O’Reilly, Nunes, McAtee; Doku, Grealish, Foden.
Subs: Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Akanji, Savinho, Wright.
Branthwaite set to start
18:45 , Jamie Dickenson
Kaden Branthwaite is expected to be given his first Manchester City start tonight.
At 16 years and 183 days old the centre-back will become City’s third-youngest player ever and their youngest in the Premier League era.
Branthwaite is a highly-rated academy product who is being given his debut after impressing Pep Guardiola in training.
Word on Watford
18:39 , Jamie Dickenson
Watford are currently eighth in the Championship as Tom Cleverley’s side travel to the Etihad.
The Hornets had a great start to the season - winning their first five matches - but they now haven’t won in three games.
Watford overcame MK Dons 5-0 and Plymouth 2-0 to set up this tie with City.
Nunes and McAtee to start
18:30 , Jamie Dickenson
Matheus Nunes and James McAtee are expected to be given their first starts of the season tonight against Watford.
The pair could be in line for more minutes with midfielder Rodri potentially out for the remainder of the season.
Man City paid Wolves £53million to sign Nunes last summer while McAtee has come through the academy.
Nunes has been used four times off the bench so far this term while McAtee’s only substantial contribution came as a starter in the Community Shield win over Man United.
Etihad ready
18:20
The Etihad is ready to welcome Watford as the opponents for Manchester City in this Carabao Cup third-round tie.
Kick-off is a little more than an hour away now...
Ian Wright slams 'coward' Haaland
18:13
He will probably be rested tonight, but Erling Haaland may still be smarting after being called a “coward” by Ian Wright.
Wright slammed Haaland for throwing the ball at the head of Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes as Man City wildly celebrated their late equaliser in Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw.
Haaland ran into the net to collect the ball while celebrating when John Stones before throwing it at the back of Gabriel’s head.
Man City vs Watford match odds
17:55 , Jamie Dickenson
Man City to win: 1/8
Watford to win: 17/1
Draw: 8/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:52
Man City and Watford last met in a Premier League match at the Etihad in May 2022, when four goals from Gabriel Jesus helped them to a 5-1 victory.
Man City wins: 22
Draws: 5
Watford wins: 6
Carabao Cup draw
17:35 , Jamie Dickenson
The Carabao Cup third round is in full flow, with three Premier League sides already falling to early exits.
Fulham and Everton have already crashed out while Man United and Tottenham are among the teams to have booked their place in the fourth round.
The remainder of the third round is played out this week.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Carabao Cup draw for the fourth round.
Rodri sidelined
17:31 , Jamie Dickenson
Rodri has flown to Barcelona for medical tests on the serious knee injury he suffered against Arsenal on Sunday, with the Manchester City midfielder expected to miss the rest of the season.
The Spain international jarred his leg in an off-the-ball incident that occurred early on in the dramatic 2-2 draw between the Premier League title rivals at the Etihad Stadium and hobbled off after 21 minutes, replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
On Monday afternoon, Rodri arrived in Barcelona for a specialist assessment on what initial tests indicated was an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Man City vs Watford prediction
17:26 , Jamie Dickenson
Man City should make light work of the Hornets, even with rotation in mind.
Phil Foden’s season has yet to really get going yet and he could shine in this home tie against Championship opposition.
Man City to win, 4-1.
Watford team news
17:23
Daniel Bachmann and Francisco Sierralta were both forced off for Watford against Norwich last time out, with Jonathan Bond and Ryan Porteous first in line to come into the side.
Daniel Jebbison is cup-tied after featuring for Bournemouth earlier in the competition, while Ryan Andrews is also sidelined.
Man City team news
17:19 , Jamie Dickenson
Manchester City are expected to make plenty of changes for tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Watford.
Pep Guardiola’s side snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw at home against Arsenal on Sunday after a titanic tussle between the Premier League title rivals.
The fact that such a draining game followed hot on the heels of a 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League surely means that Guardiola will tinker against the Hornets.
City will be without influential midfielder Rodri as they nervously await an update on the knee problem that forced him off against the Gunners, with reports that he could miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Rodri is believed to have travelled to Spain to undergo further scans.
Captain Kevin De Bruyne missed Sunday’s feisty draw with Arsenal and though his injury is not thought to be serious, he is unlikely to be risked here.
Versatile defender Nathan Ake is not expected back from injury until after the October international break, while Oscar Bobb is facing slightly longer out of action after surgery on a leg fracture.
Predicted Man City XI: Ortega, Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Wilson-Esbrand, Nunes, Wright, O’Reilly, McAtee, Foden, Grealish.
How to watch: Sky Sports
17:16 , Jamie Dickenson
TV channel: The game will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports+.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Sky Go app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.
Good evening!
17:13 , Jamie Dickenson
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester City against Watford in the Carabao Cup.
City will be hoping for a routine victory after their fiery 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
We’ll bring you all the best build-up including team news ahead of kick-off, which is scheduled for 7.45pm BST. Enjoy!
