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EFL CUP

United and Mourinho advance at the expense of City and Pep

Jose Mourinho adds to Manchester City´s troubles as Pep Guardiola remains winless in six games while Chelsea were put out of the competition by a battling West Ham United side

Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho after EFL clash
OLI SCARFFAFP

Spanish attacker Juan Mata was the difference at Old Trafford during Manchester United and Manchester City's League Cup game on Wednesday night. He gave Manchester United a 1-0 lead, which they would not relinquish, with a second half strike as Jose Mourinho's side bounced back to reach the English Football League Cup quarter-finals.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola during clash in the EFL Cup
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Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola during clash in the EFL CupOLI SCARFFAFP

Humiliated 4-0 by Mourinho's former club Chelsea at the weekend, United got back to winning ways and claimed a measure of revenge for their 2-1 loss to Pep Guardiola's City in last month's league derby.

Guardiola´s slump continues

The result at Old Trafford gave Mourinho only his third victory in 13 encounters with Guardiola, who has gone six games without victory for the first time in his glittering managerial career.

'The players did everything and deserved to win. We are happy,' Mourinho said.

'In the last week everything went against us, but we are professionals.

'The fans felt deeply such a negative result and today was a good chance to clear that feeling, because a derby knockout and to win gives everyone a better feeling.'

Guardiola gestures to his players during EFL clash with Manchester United
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Guardiola gestures to his players during EFL clash with Manchester UnitedJason CairnduffREUTERS

United will now entertain West Ham United, who claimed a 2-1 upset win over Chelsea, while Southampton's reward for overcoming Sunderland 1-0 is a trip to Arsenal.

Mourinho previously won the competition three times at Chelsea and with City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all falling by the wayside in the fourth round, his path to the final is clearing once again.

While City remain top of the league, on goal difference, and although Guardiola selected a much weaker team than Mourinho, their early season momentum has deserted them.

Mourinho apologises

Mourinho used his programme notes to say 'sorry' to United's fans for the result at Chelsea and his decision to make only four changes to his starting XI showed his eagerness to make amends.

Guardiola, in contrast, made nine changes, notably handing starts to youngsters Pablo Maffeo and Aleix Garcia.

His side should have gone ahead in the second minute when Kelechi Iheanacho headed over from Jesus Navas's cross and they might have had a penalty when Michael Carrick caught Garcia near the byline.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba both wasteful, United struggled to establish a foothold in City territory and when they did, the visitors' defenders were on hand to block.

Had Marcos Rojo not rushed across to block from Iheanacho, meanwhile, United would have trailed at the interval.

Mata on target

But Mourinho's half-time team talk had the desired effect and after City goalkeeper Willy Caballero had touched a shot from Pogba onto the post, after a slick United move, the hosts took a 54th-minute lead.

Leaving Nicolas Otamendi on his back in an aerial challenge, Ibrahimovic crossed from the left and with Ander Herrera and Fernando colliding at the near post, Mata popped up to sweep home.

Mata celebrates after opening the scoring at Old Trafford against Manchester City
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Mata celebrates after opening the scoring at Old Trafford against Manchester CityOLI SCARFFAFP

'Congratulations to United, they made a good performance,' said Guardiola.

'We had chances on the counter-attack. I am happy with the young players. No regrets (about his team selection).'

West Ham win loval derby

West Ham pulled off the biggest shock of the round with a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the first local derby at their new London Stadium.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made seven changes from his side's win over United and saw his team fall behind in the 11th minute to a superb Cheikhou Kouyate header.

Edimilson Fernandes added a second early in the second half and although Gary Cahill reduced the arrears in stoppage time, after substitute Eden Hazard had hit the post, it came too late.

Trouble at the Olympic Stadium

There was a heavy police presence inside and outside the former Olympic Stadium, where there has been trouble involving West Ham fans in previous games.

But rival supporters clashed at the end of the game, with some throwing chairs and bottles.

Southampton beat Sunderland at St Mary's courtesy of a fine 20-yard curler from former Lille winger Sofiane Boufal, who was making his full debut.