For so long, Manchester City were stifled by Swansea’s defensive blockade. Then, in the 77th minute, Omar Marmoush took matters into his own hands, rolling his marker and blasting a shot high into the roof of the net from a tight angle, paving the way to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Rayan Cherki, who teed up Marmoush, secured the win in stoppage time. Cherki accepted the challenge to stake a claim for a starting berth against Bournemouth on Sunday. When Marmoush swivelled on his heels past Swansea’s Chelsea loanee Ishe Samuels-Smith there was only one thing in his mind: his first City goal of the season. For Pep Guardiola, the relief was palpable and he punched the air as Cherki made sure of victory.
Guardiola made 10 changes from City’s defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday, with Oscar Bobb the only survivor from their starting lineup, but the 18-year-old Divine Mukasa represented the only inexperienced player in the XI. James Trafford deputised for Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal and Marmoush, Cherki and Jérémy Doku were also promoted from the bench. Erling Haaland, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders were given the night off.
At the same time Guardiola was mindful this had the makings of an awkward contest, even if City’s previous visit was a routine 3-1 win in the same competition in 2021. He was apologetic after his side rallied from two goals down to win 3-2 courtesy of an offside Sergio Agüero goal en route to lifting the FA Cup in 2019. That night, a crisp first-time Bersant Celina finish capped a slick team move that began with the goalkeeper and involved all but two players.
