City too good, but Southampton less bad
LONDON: Sergio Aguero scored twice as a muchchanged Manchester City side strolled to a 31 League Cup fourth round win yesterday over Southampton, which seemed relieved to avoid a repeat of its ninegoal thrashing by Leicester City four days earlier.
City made nine changes and gave a debut to 18yearold Tommy Boyle, grandson of their late former captain Mike Doyle, and dominated the first half against the visitors, who still appeared shellshocked by Saturday’s Premier League mauling.
Nicolas Otamendi nodded in Bernardo Silva’s dinked cross after 20 minutes and fellow Argentine Aguero added the second in the 38th, turning home Kyle Walker’s cross with a cushioned volley for City, who won the trophy in 2018 and 2019.
Aguero struck again in the 56th after Riyad Mahrez’s 30metre shot hit a defender and looped into his path.
City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made his first save in the 65th minute, tipping away Sofiane Boufal’s curling effort, and the Saints even managed a goal from a Jack Stevens header with 15 minutes left.
The visitors’ display was enough to earn them applause from their fans at the end.
Everton slightly relieved the pressure on manager Marco Silva with a 20 home win over Watford in the night’s other allPremier League clash.
The hosts hit the woodwork twice before Mason Holgate headed in a Theo Walcott cross in the 72nd minute and Richarlison broke clear to score the second in the last minute.
Leicester also made nine changes and raced to a 20 lead in 20 minutes at thirdtier Burton Albion, with goals from Kelechi Iheanacho and Youri Tielemans.
Liam Boyce pulled one back early in the second 40, but James Maddison restored Leicester’s twogoal lead in the 89th. — Reuters