It was the outcome that everybody expected. Despite an incident on the M6, roughly 3,000 Burton Albion fans saw their side crash to a 9-0 defeat against Premier League champions Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg.
Carabao Cup Holders Hit Burton Albion For Nine
Just three days after putting seven past Rotherham and dumping them out of the FA Cup, Manchester City exhibited the same ruthlessness once again. By half time, the match, and with it Burton’s chances of progressing to the final, were all but over. Just five minutes in, Kevin De Bruyne nodded in a delicious cross from David Silva and immediately punctured the Brewers’ hopes of causing an upset.
With goal-scoring opportunities at a premium, Marcus Harness had a fantastic chance to level the score, but he fired his effort high and wide. A quick-fire brace from Gabriel Jesus then followed, shortly before a wayward cross from Oleksandr Zinchenko looped over Bradley Collins to make it 4-0.
In the second half Burton came out with more fight, but Jesus promptly completed his hat-trick to put the game beyond any doubt. Just past the hour mark, Phil Foden added another to compound the travelling fans’ anguish.
From then on, Burton began to capitulate and Manchester City showed no signs of mercy. Jesus added his fourth and then swiftly afterwards, Kyle Walker got his name on the score-sheet. The intensity never waned from Guardiola’s men, and Riyad Mahrez added a ninth eight minutes from time.
A Step Too Far
Nigel Clough insisted that his side were going to “enjoy the experience”, but it was a bleak outing for his side. To their credit, Burton Albion did enjoy a comfortable fifteen-minute spell after going a goal down, but things quickly degenerated after that.
To add insult to injury, Manchester City upstaged the last time they welcomed a League One side in the League Cup, which was a 7-1 annihilation of Barnsley. Speaking of records, this was the biggest win of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.
This match was like watching a training drill and acted as a reminder of how brutal a sport football can be. You couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the travelling support, but ultimately expecting anything from this game would have been fatuous.
Ultimately, the chasm between the two sides was extremely substantial. Despite this whitewash, Burton Albion can be proud of their achievements in this competition. Whether they drew Tottenham, Chelsea or Manchester City, they were always going to be up against it. As much as many were crying out for Burton to produce a ‘cupset’, one of this magnitude was never realistic.
Back To Reality
Incidentally, both sides return to league action this weekend against sides who recently performed big upsets in the FA Cup. Manchester City face Wolves, whilst Burton face a Gillingham side who managed to see off Cardiff City.
Whether they like it or not, Burton Albion will meet Manchester City again in two weeks time for the second leg at the Pirelli. This fixture is already sold out and although Burton are, unless they can perform something miraculous, virtually out the competition, it shall be a massive occasion for the club. Perhaps on home soil the Brewers will play with more confidence and prevent another thrashing.
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