Man Utd, Man City set up Cup clash
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and his Manchester City rival Pep Guardiola were dealt an English Football League Cup rendezvous after both teams came through their thirdround ties on Wednesday.
Unitedwon3-1atthird-tier Northampton Town to ease some of the pressure build- ing on Mourinho following three consecutive defeats, while holder City prevailed 2-1 at Swansea City.
Tottenham Hotspur was rewarded with a trip to Liverpool after crushing Gillingham 5-0 and West Ham United will face Chelsea after scraping past fourth-tier Accrington Stanley.
“We deserved to win,” Mourinho told Sky Sports after goals from Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and substitute Marcus Rashford took his side into the fourth round.
Mourinho, speaking before the draw had been made, added: “It was difficult, as I was expecting, but we were totally in control for the (first) 35 minutes and then for the last 45 minutes.
“It was a difficult match, but overall a positive performance.”
Mourinho, who felt that Northampton’s Jak McCourt should have been sent off for a rash challenge on Memphis Depay, did not attend his post-match press conference.
United’s victory was a welcome tonic for Mourinho and his team following consecutive losses to Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford.
He made nine changes to the side beaten 3-1 at Watford on Sunday, with Chris Smalling and captain Wayne Rooney the only players to keep their places.
Rooney started up front for the first time since last season, and squandered an early opportunity by miscuing from Ashley Young’s cross.
United went ahead in the 17th minute after Northampton goalkeeper Adam Smith was penalized for picking up a back-pass.
Rooney’s shot from the ensuing free kick hit the wall, but Carrick swept the rebound into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.
Rooney then saw a goal ruled out for offside, but Northampton gave United a scare when Kenji Gorre clipped the bar in the 38th minute and within four minutes the home side was level.
Kompany concern
Premier League pace-setter Manchester City made it nine wins from nine games under Guardiola with victory at Swansea.
City enjoyed the best of the first half, but it took until four minutes into the second half for Gael Clichy to put it ahead with a deflected shot.
Aleix Garcia made the most of a rare start by netting the second from Jesus Navas’ cut-back in the 67th minute before Gylfi Sigurdsson stabbed in a stoppagetime consolation for Swansea.
Guardiola gave a first start of the season to captain Vincent Kompany, who underwent thigh surgery in May, but the Belgium centerback had to go off late on after appearing to injure himself.
“The doctors are speaking with him and seeing what’s up,” Guardiola said.
“Hopefully, it will not be a big problem. We’re going to wait for the results from the doctors.”