Manchester City booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a controlled 2-0 win over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.
City, who have now won six matches in a row in all competitions, progressed to a two-legged semi-final against holders Newcastle after first-half and second-half goals from Rayan Cherki and Savinho. However, Guardiola made it clear that the scoreline did not hide what he felt were shortcomings in City’s work without the ball.
Guardiola rotated heavily, making seven changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in the Premier League. Key figures including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma were rested ahead of Saturday’s league meeting with West Ham. Oscar Bobb was handed a rare start but was forced off early with an injury, with Phil Foden coming on after just 14 minutes.
City took control 13 minutes before half-time when Brentford goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson punched a corner straight to Cherki. The midfielder brought the ball down on the edge of the area and curled a stunning strike into the top corner, taking his tally this season to 11 goal involvements, with four goals and seven assists.
Despite praising the quality of that opener, Guardiola was critical of Cherki and Savinho for their defensive output.
“I’m really pleased with the impact from the guys who came from the bench,” Guardiola said. “In the second half, Rayan Cherki didn’t do the job he should defensively. He had no energy. Savinho neither.
“That’s why the impact from Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes and especially Bernardo Silva helped a lot to increase the rhythm.”
Guardiola added: “What a goal from Rayan. Before and with the goal, it was fantastic. After that, he didn’t play the match well.”
Brentford showed brief resistance after the break, with Kristoffer Ajer and Michael Kayode forcing saves from James Trafford. However, City sealed the tie in the 67th minute when Savinho drove in from the left and saw his shot deflect off Ajer and loop into the net for his second goal of the season, both coming in this competition.
City closed the game out comfortably to keep alive their hopes of lifting the Carabao Cup for the ninth time. Brentford, meanwhile, have now lost five consecutive away matches in all competitions and turn their focus to a crucial Premier League trip to bottom club Wolves.
