Wed Sep 25 11:53:36 UTC 2024: ## Manchester City, Chelsea Cruise Through League Cup Third Round
**Manchester** – Despite fielding a heavily rotated squad, Manchester City comfortably defeated Watford 2-1 in the third round of the English League Cup on Tuesday. Goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes secured victory for the reigning Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium.
City manager Pep Guardiola, who won the League Cup four years running with City from 2018, has confirmed he is not prioritizing the competition this season and will use the matches to give opportunities to fringe players.
Chelsea also advanced, thrashing fourth-tier Barrow 5-0. Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick for the Blues, celebrating his third goal by inflating a blue balloon and holding it between his lips.
Other Premier League teams advancing included Aston Villa, who won 2-1 at Wycombe, and Leicester City, who triumphed 3-0 on penalties after a 0-0 draw against Walsall.
The third round of the League Cup is spread over two midweeks to accommodate the expanded Champions League and Europa League fixtures. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur progressed last week, while Liverpool and Arsenal are scheduled to play their games on Wednesday.
First Piper 