Pep left out Foden to prepare duo for rest of the season

PEP Guardiola used the Carabao Cup semi-final to try out a midfield pair he intends to use in the second half of the season.

Phil Foden had started every game in the competition this season and scored his first goal at the Etihad in the 7-0 FA Cup win over Rotherham on Sunday.

But the Stockport teenager had to watch the first hour against Burton from the bench, before coming on and netting his second goal in as many games.

Asked about the selection decision, Guardiola pointed to the need to get David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne up to speed.

“David Silva needs minutes,” he said. “In the last two or three weeks he has been injured and Kevin as well, so that’s why I decided for them, but after 15 minutes of the second half Phil came on.”

Aro Muric and Eric Garcia, two of the standout performers from the quarterfinal win over Leicester last month, both enjoyed another start as City kept their second successive clean sheet.

“The result was good and of course we are in the final, but we have to play the second leg which we will take seriously,” added Guardiola.

“It’s not easy to play these types of games.

“We make a lot of runs in behind and for the first and second goal we were a bit passive, but after that everybody was easy and in the second half it was better.

“We are faster and quicker and we need to keep the rhythm.”

And the Blues boss had words of praise for Burton manager and former City player Nigel Clough.

He said: “Nigel Clough is incredible. His father has showed him some tricks!

“I know how important his father was for English football, he was a myth, a genius.

“When you realise what he did with Nottingham Forest, getting promoted to the Premier League (First Division), winning the Premier League. Incredible.

“It will be a pleasure to share some minutes with him.”