Oxford United vs Manchester City. Carabao Cup Round 3.
The Kassam StadiumAttendance11,956.
Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez also on target in City win
Wednesday 26 September 2018 07:18, UK
Phil Foden scored his first senior goal as Manchester City eased into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory at Oxford United on Tuesday.
Gabriel Jesus sent the Carabao Cup holders on their way to victory, nodding home from close range in the 36th minute, before Riyad Mahrez (78) doubled the advantage with a superb counter-attacking goal.
Foden, who played a brilliant pass in the build-up to Mahrez's strike, rounded off proceedings in stoppage time for Pep Guardiola's side with his first goal for City, ending Sky Bet League One side Oxford's spirited challenge in the process.
Oxford boss Karl Robinson masterminded a 4-0 win over Louis van Gaal's Manchester United four years ago when in charge of MK Dons - but there was not to be a famous repeat at the Kassam Stadium against Guardiola's side.
A much-changed City side thought they'd grabbed an early lead to silence the vigorous home support when Jesus latched onto David Silva's cross to finish from close range, but the Brazilian had just strayed offside.
Silva was involved again in the 26th minute when City carved out another glorious opportunity, but on this occasion the Spaniard's quality let him down. Oleksandr Zinchenko hooked the ball back into the penalty area, picking out Silva who flashed a shot wide of the target from the penalty spot.
The pressure was beginning to tell on the League One side and City profited nine minutes before the break.
Referee Roger East let play continue after a foul on Mahrez with Foden taking full advantage, spraying a brilliant diagonal ball to release Brahim Diaz. The young Spaniard's shot deflected up and into the path of Jesus, who was on hand to nod the ball into the back of an empty net.
The game continued in much the same vein after the break with Foden continuing to pull the strings for City in the middle of the pitch.
Oxford, who sit 23rd in Sky Bet League One with just a single win so far this season, threw more men forward in search of an equaliser but it left space for City to exploit.
Foden played another brilliant pass to release Mahrez and the Algeria international raced through on goal to finish off an excellent City counter-attack.
Then came Foden's moment to remember, the young Englishman keeping his cool to finish first-time to wrap up a comfortable night City.
There is plenty of hype surrounding Foden and against Oxford, he showed exactly what all the fuss is about.
The England U19 international enjoyed a fine night at the Kassam Stadium, playing a part in his side's opening two goals before sealing a 3-0 win with his first senior goal.
The opener came 10 minutes before the break and was started by a raking pass from Foden and he continued to be the star of the show in the second half.
Another fine long ball over the top from Foden released Mahrez, who raced through on goal to finish well and the 18-year-old capped a night to remember with his first City goal.
Focus now switches back to League One for Oxford, who travel to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday (3pm).
It's league action for Manchester City as well on Saturday as they host Brighton (3pm) in the Premier League.
