MK Dons made it nine consecutive wins in the first round of the League Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over League One side Charlton Athletic. First-half goals from Dylan Asonganyi and Ryan Watson were added to in the second half by a goal that is being disputed as to who the goalscorer was, although the official stadium announcement awarded it to Asonganyi.
MK Dons Get Carabao Cup Win Thanks to Standout Individual Performances
Quick Out of the Blocks
Unlike their performance at the weekend where they grew into the game, so much so that it took them until stoppage time to break the deadlock, the Dons were quick out of the blocks and really took the game to Charlton early on. The hosts lined up with a 5-3-2 formation, unusually playing Ouss Cisse, a defensive midfielder, in the attacking two alongside Dylan Asonganyi.
However, the strange decision paid dividends. Cisse and Asonganyi were two of the star performers on the night; Asonganyi for his brace and Cisse for his link-up play and creativity.
It was 18-year-old Asonganyi who broke the deadlock after just seven minutes. A long ball forward wasn’t dealt with by Jo Cummings, and Asonganyi managed to outmuscle Ryan Blumberg before firing into the bottom corner. It was a perfect showing of the pace and power possessed by Asonganyi. It certainly makes up for what he lacks in height.
Ryan Watson, the third star performer, doubled the lead nine minutes later. The midfielder strode forward into the attack, a movement that was a prominent feature of his game both against Bury at the weekend and against Charlton, and with options for a pass to his left an right, he decided to ignore them and go for goal. It was a great decision. Watson’s low effort curled just inside the post beyond the outstretched hand of Dillon Phillips to put the Dons in the ascendancy less than 20 minutes into the game.
Quieter Second Half
The second half was played at a slightly slower tempo in comparison to the fiery first half. Charlton kept hold of the ball far more than they did in the opening 45 minutes, allowing them to win the possession stat on the night with 52%. This increase in time on the ball allowed them to look slightly more threatening when going forward, and on another day they could have easily pulled one back. However, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s effort was brilliantly tipped aside by Lee Nicholls, and the 20-year-old was unlucky in the dying minutes as well when he smashed the woodwork.
The Dons made the most of their few flurries forwards, though. It took 26 minutes of the second half, but they finally broke the Charlton resistance again with a goal that nobody seems to know who scored.
David Kasumu’s exquisite lofted ball down the line was collected by Callum Brittain, who raced to the by-line before firing a cross into the box. After taking numerous deflections, the ball trickled beyond Phillips into the net. The official stadium announcement gave the goal to Asonganyi, who was one of the players that the ball deflected off, while BBC Sport and Sky Sports have recorded it as a Jo Cummings own goal. However, it could also have gone down as a Dillon Phillips own goal or a Callum Brittain goal, as he provided the cross.
The Stars of the Night
Dylan Asonganyi
After becoming a scoring sensation in the youth sides at MK Dons, Dylan Asonganyi has finally been rewarded with some first-team minutes. The teenager started the weekend’s fixture against Bury and his performance earned him a place in the line-up tonight.
His goal, or goals, depending on who you want to award the third goal to, will certainly have Paul Tisdale thinking about putting him in the line-up for the visit to Crewe on Saturday.
As well as his scoring ability, Asonganyi’s link-up play with those around him, particularly Cisse, was tidy. He was constantly moving to try and pick up the ball, rather than allowing his teammates to do the work of delivering it to him.
The night will mainly be remembered for his two senior goals, and deservedly so. However, there is much more to this young man’s game that could become a key component of the MK Dons attack as the season progresses.
Ousseynou Cisse
Cisse had another brilliant game following on from his sensational cameo against Bury. Heads were turned when it became apparent that he was actually playing up front against Charlton, rather than his usual position of central midfield. However, the new position complemented his abilities perfectly.
His power and strength were the main assets put to use tonight as the Charlton defence failed to cope with him. He was constantly muscling them off the ball, shielding them from regaining possession and winning every header with his 6″5′ frame.
Other elements to his game that were on show tonight were his quick feet, fancy flicks and a fantastic range of passing. His stepovers bemused the defence just enough for him to slip a pass inside them for either Brittain or Mitch Hancox to run on to, and his cross-field passes to Asonganyi more often than not split the Charlton defence wide open.
Cisse received a lot of criticism last season for his lazy and inconsistent performances, but so far this season has really endeared himself to the fans. He will be hoping that he can continue to impress and remain a part of Paul Tisdale’s plans.
Ryan Watson
Ryan Watson was another top-performer from the Bury game to continue their performance levels into this game.
As previously mentioned, Watson was successful at bringing the ball from midfield into the final third, which brought about his goal.
His interplay with midfield partners David Kasumu and Jordan Houghton (Jordan Moore-Taylor in the second half after a slight knock to Houghton) was as though he had been playing with them for weeks, and he also tracked back to help the defence and drive the rest of the team forward.
With so many midfielders in the squad, it looks as though Tisdale is trying to accommodate as many as possible with his formation choices. Watson has certainly staked a claim to regularly be a part of that three with his opening performances for the club.
Next Up
The Dons make the trip up to Crewe Alexandra this Saturday, who were knocked out of the cup on Tuesday night after a penalty shoot-out loss to Fleetwood Town. They then host Grimsby Town next Tuesday.
Their next Carabao Cup fixture will be determined on Thursday night when the draw is undertaken prior to Sunderland’s fixture with Sheffield Wednesday.
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