Manchester City Run by Oxford United, 3-1 in League Cup: Reaction & Tweets

Manchester City advanced to the Carabao Cup semi-final for a third season straight after a 3-1 win over Oxford at the Kassam Stadium.

Joao Cancelo’s first City goal was countered out by a Matty Taylor strike early in the second half.

But a brace from Raheem Sterling sealed the win, with City’s youngsters standing up well to a fine test from the League One side who created plenty of chances.

On to the reaction-

Pep Guardiola Reaction

“I’m pleased with everything,” he said moments after the full-time whistle. “We have a lot of games - we start six games in 18 days. It’s tough.

“The competition is tough now - four good semi-final teams and we are delighted again to be in this position.”

“With the second balls and throw ins - Oxford are incredibly tall and are good at set pieces,” Guardiola said. “In these kind of leagues, they work well in these situations.

”But Eric and Taylor contained the attacks incredibly.

”It was really tough. Winter is here! They are aggressive. Lasts season they played good and this season they were better.

”Cup competitions in England are always really tough.”

“It means they are good,” he said. “We suffered a lot in the second half in the period after going ahead. And in the last minutes, too.

”They play the long balls from throw ins and corners and we struggled in those positions. But it’s okay, we knew it before we came here.”

“It doesn’t matter who scores,” he said. ”We are happy for him for the two goals.

”It’s a guy who likes to play and is fit all the time so it’s good for him he scores two.”

Taylor Harwood-Bellis Reaction

“They played well, but we did what we had to do,” said Harwood-Bellis.

”They came back at us but we showed our class by scoring two more so we’re happy.

”It’s always fantastic to play for City’s first team - it’s a dream come true.

”I just need to tale my chances when they come along and make sure I’m in the manager’s mind.”

Raheem Sterling Reaction

“It (finishing above Aguero) would not mean anything without silverware and then I’ll be happy with my goal tally after that,” said Sterling.

“Every competition we’re trying to compete in. It’s not just the Premier League, which I know that looks out of reach but we’re looking to get to finals in this, the FA Cup and even the Champions League.”

“They were still in the game. They equalised and made it difficult. Goals are goals, I’m in the team to do a job. I will always try and put them [goals] in.

”I don’t need to nurture Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] or any of the other lads. They come through in training and do their job brilliantly.”

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