Carabao Cup
Result: Manchester City 9-0 Burton Albion
Date: 09 January 2019
Venue: Etihad
Manchester City are virtually through to final of the Carabao Cup after humiliating Burton Albion 9-0 in the first leg on Wednesday evening.
Burton were left with an unenviable task in continuing their fairy-tale cup run against a mesmerizing City outfit who had just annihilated Rotherham United 7-0 in the FA Cup third round.
The 11th League cup semi-final for the Citizens got underway in frantic fashion, as Kevin De Bruyne headed the host into an early lead.
Six minutes later, great work from Lucas Akins resulted in a low cross that picked out Marcus Harness who failed to keep his effort on target, shooting over the top instead.
The Citizens didn't retreat to increasing their tally, as Gabriel Jesus shot wide with a low effort from close-range after 25 minutes.
Five minutes later, the Brazilian weren't denied as he nodded in from good work by Leroy Sane down the wings.
Soon, Jesus' sliding attempt resulted in the completion of his brace that crept in off the inside post before hitting the back of the net, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAAR) confirming the goal after uncertainty on 34 minutes.
Within two minutes, City continued pulling clear after Oleksandr Zinchenko was afforded time and space to curl in a top-draw finish from the edge of the box.
Jesus continued his troubling act on the hapless visitors by completing his hat-trick with a perfect header from close range on 57 minutes.
De Bruyne was shortly recalled to the bench by Pep Guardiola, with youngster Phil Foden tasked to fill his void. The substitute didn't waste time to make his presence felt, tucking away the sixth goal of the contest.
The English champions weren't letting up despite the hefty lead at this point, as Jesus grabbed his fourth of the clash with a finish from close-range on 65 minutes.
Within five minutes, Kyle Walker got his name on the score-sheet with a first-time finish off Mahrez's delivery to make it 8-0 to the home side.
For all his tireless running and effort, Mahrez was finally rewarded with a goal as he stabbed home from close range after Collins failed to hold onto an initial shot.
With a second-leg to come in two weeks, the Manchester side are basically already in the final and on course to defend their title.
