Pep’s side at full throttle strangled life out of Burton

GABRIEL Jesus claims easing off the throttle is simply not in Manchester City’s nature.

City ran riot on Wednesday as they thrashed League One Burton 9-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Jesus himself helped himself to four goals at the Etihad Stadium.

The Brazil striker said: “Every time we respect the opponent. We know we have more quality than Burton but when you don’t work hard, you don’t play very well, and it is difficult to win the game.

“That is what we did, played very well and worked hard. We go onto the pitch thinking, ‘win the game’ and we played very well to win.”

It was a result that never seemed in doubt from the moment the teamsheets were printed, with City manager Pep Guardiola opting for a strong line-up in the hope of wrapping up the tie in the home leg.

Yet he later admitted their ruthlessness surprised even him after the hosts took a fifthminute lead through Kevin de Bruyne and maintained intensity throughout.

Two more from Jesus and a cross-cum-shot from Oleksandr Zinchenko made it 4-0 at halftime. Jesus claimed another double – completing his second hat-trick of the season – while Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez also got on the scoresheet after the break.

Coming after a 7-0 hammering of Rotherham in the FA Cup on Sunday, City will feel they have momentum as they resume their pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool against Wolves on Monday.

The team have scored 16 goals in their past two games.