Manchester City cruised into the Carabao Cup semi-finals, overcoming Brentford 2-0 in a match that highlighted the burgeoning talent of Rayan Cherki. The victory, secured on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium, marks City's first appearance in the final four of the competition since 2020/21.
The game saw Pep Guardiola make seven changes to the starting lineup that defeated Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Despite the changes, City maintained control throughout the match, although they initially struggled to create clear-cut chances without key players like Erling Haaland. Brentford, to their credit, put up a competitive fight, but ultimately lacked the cutting edge to truly threaten City's dominance.
The first half saw a moment of controversy when Abdukodir Khusanov, one of the players brought into the City lineup, was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for a challenge on Kevin Schade. However, it was Rayan Cherki who stole the spotlight, breaking the deadlock with a stunning goal in the 32nd minute. After a corner was cleared, Cherki collected the ball on the edge of the box, eluding a challenge before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Cherki's goal was a testament to his growing influence within the City squad. The French international, signed in the summer, has quickly become a key figure, showcasing his talent with wonderful flicks, vision, and a strong work ethic. His performance against Brentford was another example of his potential, further solidifying his place in Guardiola's plans.
In the second half, Brentford showed more attacking intent, but City effectively nullified any real threat. The game was put beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Savinho's shot took a deflection off Kristoffer Ajer and looped over goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson. While Savinho's goal was somewhat fortuitous, it sealed a comfortable victory for the home side.
With the score at 2-0, Guardiola took the opportunity to hand a debut to 19-year-old midfielder Charlie Gray, further highlighting the depth of talent within the Manchester City squad. The win extends Manchester City's winning streak to six matches across all competitions and propels them into the Carabao Cup semi-finals, where they will look to continue their quest for silverware. The semi-final draw will take place following the conclusion of the quarter-final match between Newcastle and Fulham.
Rayan Cherki's performance, in particular, will give City fans cause for optimism as they look ahead to a busy period of fixtures. His goalscoring ability and overall contribution to the team suggest he has the potential to become a true superstar for Manchester City.
