There was little worry for Manchester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening as they eased past League One Huddersfield.
Phil Foden continued to threaten a return to the form that earned him the Premier League player of the season award 18 months ago with a fine opener, before Savinho doubled the lead for a youthful City side.
Here, Daily Mail Sport takes a look at the main talking points…
Phil Foden scored a fine opening Manchester City goal as they beat Huddersfield 2-0
Pep Guardiola named a youthful City side in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday
The kids are alright
Those working in Manchester City’s youth set-up will have been rejoicing after Pep Guardiola named 10 academy graduates in his squad before progressing in the Carabao Cup.
Led by the best of the lot in Phil Foden, who finished with a goal and an assist, while Divine Mukasa and the Heskey brothers – Jaden and Reigan – were handed debuts.
Divine intervention
A member of City staff remarked to Daily Mail Sport earlier this week that Divine Mukasa ‘just looks like a first team player’. That assessment comes from observing how the 18-year-old carries himself around a squad he has been training with every day this season.
Some are overawed by the step up to Guardiola’s group but Mukasa – who scored a goal from the halfway line for the Under 18s to seal a hat-trick against Newcastle United last year – has been doing things in training that are making those present gasp.
League One Cardiff City, managed by ex-City coach Brian Barry-Murphy, made a loan approach for the England Under-19 international over the summer but City wouldn’t entertain the idea and wanted to integrate him with the senior players.
That, and Mukasa’s comfort with his surroundings, was evident after a pre-season friendly in Palermo last month when the teenager held a long chat with his manager in the tunnel area following an impressive cameo.
Aside from Nico O’Reilly, no academy star has impressed Guardiola as much as Mukasa over the last 18 months or so – and this debut, during which he assisted Phil Foden’s sumptuous 19th-minute opener, provided proof of the talent at City’s disposal.
Foden looked for options around the box, popping a ball off to Mukasa and the instinctive first time lay-off laid it on a plate. Foden recognised the quality, congratulating his work. Strong link-up play for somebody who has been used as a midfielder in the academy since signing from West Ham United two years ago but who Guardiola is testing out as a false nine in training.
He performed that role admirably, pulling wide to good effect and noticeably tracking back 40 yards to halt one threatening counterattack in a way we have seen so many of Guardiola’s City stars do in the past. Sources insist that his technical ability in small spaces and physicality should see him go far. Judging by this performance, more chances may be forthcoming soon.
It has been said that Divine Mukasa ‘just looks like a first team player’ at Manchester City
Heskey out of dad’s shadow
Jaden Heskey was stood on the touchline waiting for almost five minutes to finally come on and his introduction marked a drastic change in the last three seasons for the 19-year-old.
As a son of ex-England striker Emile, Heskey was a forward. But City coach Ben Wilkinson (son of ex-Leeds boss Howard) spotted something different and moved him into a No 8 role. He’s never looked back and fitted seamlessly into that role here – Guardiola beckoning him with the score still at 1-0.
Heskey’s character is different to the confident Mukasa, admitting to Daily Mail Sport that going up to train can be nerve-wracking.
‘I’d say I prefer midfield,’ he told us. ‘You’re more involved in the game. It’s a lot more running but I feel like I’ve adapted.’
Jaden Heskey – son of Premier League legend Emile – came off the bench in the second half
Lee Grant has Huddersfield in the play-offs of League One in his first management job
Grant is blazing a trail
In his first two months in management, former Derby County and Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant has Huddersfield inside the play-offs of the third tier.
It’s fairly rare to see a No 1 take the leap in becoming a totally different No 1 after retirement and Grant has put in the hard yards: during four years at Manchester United from 2018, he also coached the kids and has been part of the backroom staff under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town.
Huddersfield expect results after decent investment in the summer and the supporters booed the team off after last weekend’s goalless draw with Burton Albion. There were some signs of the intensity Grant presumably wants during this tie.
The forgotten man
A late substitute appearance for Kalvin Phillips, the first time he’s pulled on a City shirt since the 2023 Club World, was greeted with huge boos from the home crowd given the proximity to Leeds.
‘We’re on the pitch if Kalvin scores,’ rang out of the away end.
Phillips was later ushered out of the back door of the stadium, heading back to London to be with his partner Ashleigh and their newborn, Ari.
