Man City given scare in Carabao Cup as Christopher Nkunku nets hat-trick in 5-0 Chelsea victory

Manchester City survived a late scare to return to winning ways after Sunday’s draw to Arsenal as they beat Watford 2-1 at home in the Carabao Cup.

First-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes proved enough for a much-changed Man City side as they reached the fourth round at the expense of their Championship opponents Watford at the Etihad.

Hornets goalkeeper Jonathan Bond prevented the scoreline from becoming a rout as he made several saves in the second half while Savinho hit a post, but the visitors gained confidence in the latter stages of the match and a fine Tom Ince strike gave them hope of a remarkable comeback.

Yet, after plenty of last-gasp drama in a 2-2 Premier League draw against title rivals Arsenal, there was to be no nailbiting finish as Pep Guardiola’s side saw out time.

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Christopher Nkunku’s hat-trick helped Chelsea breeze to a 5-0 victory over League Two Barrow.

Enzo Maresca made 11 changes to his Chelsea line-up but a fine start to the Italian’s Stamford Bridge tenure was never at risk of being derailed after three goals inside half an hour.

Nkunku struck twice before Joao Felix’s free-kick struck a post before cruelly ricocheting off Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman.

Pedro Neto bagged his first Chelsea goal after half-time before Nkunku completed his treble and the rout.

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Emiliano Buendia scored his first goal since March 2023 and Jhon Duran grabbed his fifth of the season as Aston Villa reached the fourth round with a 2-1 win at Wycombe.

Winger Buendia, who missed the whole of last season through injury, headed the opener before Duran tucked away a late penalty to see off League One Wanderers, who hit a late consolation through Richard Kone.

Danny Ward saved three penalties in a shoot-out to help Leicester avoid an upset against Walsall at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

Following a goalless draw over 90 minutes, Ward denied Taylor Allen, David Okagbue and Liam Gordon, with Ricardo Pereira, Conor Coady and Oliver Skipp securing a 3-0 shoot-out win for the Foxes.