Pep Guardiola led Manchester City EFL Cup campaigns tend to carry an air of inevitability, but this latest run deserves closer inspection rather than blind faith. City are through to the semi finals and riding a six game winning streak in all competitions, yet the performance against Brentford raised as many questions as it answered.
Pep Guardiola used the occasion to rest Erling Haaland entirely, leaving the Norwegian on the bench as part of seven changes made with the festive Premier League schedule in mind. That City still progressed speaks volumes about their squad depth. However, it also highlighted a side managing matches rather than imposing themselves, a subtle distinction that matters in knockout football.
At the back, there were warning signs. Abdukodir Khusanov, handed a rare start, was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after hauling down Kevin Schade when the Brentford forward was clean through. Against stronger opposition, that sort of lapse would likely cost City dearly and alter the entire narrative of their Manchester City EFL Cup push.
Guardiola’s plans were disrupted early when Oscar Bobb was forced off injured after just 20 minutes. Phil Foden was thrown on earlier than expected, underlining how often City still rely on the England international when control begins to wobble. The depth is there, but the hierarchy remains clear.
The breakthrough arrived through individual brilliance rather than sustained dominance. Rayan Cherki’s strike ten minutes before half time was outstanding, a half cleared corner, a quick shift onto his right foot, and an unstoppable effort into the top corner. It settled nerves, but also papered over a lack of fluency in the final third.
City’s second goal told a similar story. Savinho’s effort took a heavy deflection off Kristoffer Ajer and looped beyond Hakon Valdimarsson. Fortunate, effective, and decisive but hardly the sign of a side steamrolling opponents on the Manchester City EFL Cup stage.
History remains firmly on Guardiola’s side. City lifted the League Cup four times in succession between 2018 and 2021, turning it into a personal possession. Yet this marks their first semi final appearance in five seasons, a reminder that dominance in this competition is no longer guaranteed.
With Chelsea already through, Newcastle or Fulham awaiting, and Arsenal still to play Crystal Palace, the path is demanding but not intimidating. So can we really wager on Manchester City convincingly winning the EFL Cup? The tools are there, the experience is there but certainty, for now, is not.
