Manchester City cruised to a routine 4-0 triumph over Fulham and qualify for the next round.
Tim Ream’s sixth-minute red card gave the Championship side a mountain to climb after he hauled down Gabriel Jesus inside the box.
Ilkay Gundogan converted the resulting penalty before Bernardo Silva’s smart turn and shot quickly doubled City’s advantage. The visitors then held out for nearly an hour but two headers in three minutes from Jesus gave the scoreline a more accurate reflection of the English champions’ dominance. His team has been immense in Domestic Cup Ties.
Fulham gaffer Scott Parker also rotated with his priority securing a return to the Premier League for the first time of asking. Any hope of an upset was quashed within minutes by a rash challenge from Ream. Pep’s City have had problems from the spot this season with Guardiola even claiming goalkeeper Ederson is his best taker after Jesus’ latest miss at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
However, with the Brazilian on the bench with gloveman Claudio Bravo keeping his starting spot in front of the post for the cups, it was Ilkay Gundogan who took responsibility to dispatch the spot-kick. A moment of magic from Bernardo then gave the hosts breathing space as the Portuguese international fired into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Only a lack of killer instinct was preventing Manchester City from further running up the score as Raheem Sterling came off the bench to hit the post. Gabriel Jesus, though, bagged a confidence-boosting double by heading home Joao Cancelo’s cross before nodding in the rebound after Marek Rodak had saved Phil Foden’s initial effort.
In the end, it was a comfortable night for Manchester City who now qualifies for further round.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have drawn to Shrewsbury town and it means they have to play the return of the round at their home Anfield.
