Gabriel Jesus hits four as City trounce Burton Albion 9-0 in Carabao Cup semi-final first leg

Manchester City were in ruthless form on Wednesday night as they battered League 1 side Burton Albion 9-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup Semi final. Gabriel Jesus scored four goals on the night, as the reigning champions set their sights on retaining their crown. This was to be Pep Guardiola’s biggest win since taking charge in 2016 and the clubs biggest victory since the 10-1 defeat of Huddersfield Town in 1987.

There is no doubt about it, City wanted to get this tie done and dusted in the first leg as Guardiola named a very strong line-up. Burton boss Nigel Clough must have been fearing the worst having seen City’s 7-0 thrashing of Rotherham on Saturday and it only took five minutes for the Blues to put their first goal on the board when Kevin De Bruyne headed in after a sublime David Silva cross.

While Burton slightly grew into the game and competed for all of 25 minutes, City added their second goal through Gabriel Jesus after 30 minutes, when the young Brazilian was sniffing around the six yard box to prod home a free header. Jesus doubled his tally four minutes later when David Silva set him up for the easiest of finishes.

Olexandr Zinchenko got his first goal for the club on the stroke of half time when his wild cross looped into the far corner of the goal. City were 4-0 up and cruising.

There was no sign of a let up from the home side in the second half when Jesus got his hat-trick with a neat header, followed by his fourth a few minutes later. Phil Foden having just come off the substitutes bench made it six.

It was becoming even more of a procession for City now and an even longer night for Burton and their travelling fans. Jesus added his fourth and the nine goal rout was rounded of by Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez.

The City fans chanted ‘we want ten’ as the game neared it’s finish, but the players were unable to deliver double figures on the night. City will now focus on their game with Wolves next Monday night as they prepare for a return to Premier League action, undoubtedly with another Wembley cup final to look forward to at the end of February.