Analysis: Foden returning towards his best

There was a time when Manchester City were perennial winners in this competition, lifting the trophy four times on the trot having embarked on a run of winning a remarkable 21 consecutive ties between 2017 and 2021.

But it has been less kind to them recently, being knocked out at the fourth and third-round stages in the past two seasons.

On Wednesday, there were some scares for City to overcome, including Huddersfield Town hitting the post, but they were ultimately in control for the majority of the contest and goals in each half helped them through.

Pep Guardiola's tactics at Arsenal on Sunday were questioned when his side had their lowest average possession since he took charge, but City reverted to type with 76% of the ball in West Yorkshire, with 68 touches inside the opposition area.

Despite the numbers, City could only score twice with Savinho dragging wide before scoring, Nico O'Reilly's chipped effort being clawed out by Lee Nicholls and Divine Mukasa's strike on the spin straight at the home goalkeeper.

At the heart of the victory was the fantastic Phil Foden, who looks to be returning to his best form by playing with the sort of freedom that earned him the Premier League Player of the Season and the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2024.

The goal he scored bore all the trademarks of a player who was sharp and needed no thinking time, trapping Mukasa's pass before giving Nicholls no chance with his finish.

Foden was replaced immediately after providing the second goal as Guardiola gave debuts to Reigan and Jaden Heskey, the sons of former Liverpool and England striker Emile.

There was also a return to the team for forgotten midfielder Kalvin Phillips, appearing for the final seven minutes for the first time in a City shirt since 19 December 2023 at the Club World Cup.