Manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Omar Marmoush following his decisive display in Manchester City 3-1 victory over Swansea City in the League Cup.
The Premier League giants overcame an early scare to seal a place in the quarter-finals, with Marmoush’s late strike wrapping up a strong second-half performance.
The match began with an unexpected twist as Swansea took a surprise lead through Goncalo Franco, who produced a stunning long-range effort that left James Trafford helpless.
The Championship side, managed by Alan Sheehan, were full of energy and aggression in the opening exchanges, testing City’s composure and capitalising on early possession turnovers.
For much of the first half, Swansea looked capable of causing a major upset, creating a handful of promising chances that could have doubled their advantage.
However, they failed to make their dominance count, allowing the Sky Blues a route back into the game.
Manchester City’s equaliser came courtesy of Jeremy Doku, whose burst of pace and sharp finish restored parity before the interval. His goal not only settled Guardiola’s side but also shifted the momentum firmly in their favour heading into the second half.
After the restart, City asserted complete control. Their trademark possession-based style suffocated Swansea, who struggled to get out of their half as Guardiola’s men moved the ball with patience and precision around the penalty area.
Despite a well-organised Swansea defence, it always felt like a matter of time before City’s persistence paid off.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the second half when Rayan Cherki’s incisive through ball unlocked the Swans’ back line.
Marmoush reacted sharply, turning smartly in the box before finishing from a tight angle to put City ahead for the first time in the match. The goal reflected not only his instinctive movement but also the growing understanding within Guardiola’s attacking setup.
As the game wore on, City continued to dominate possession, probing for another goal to kill off any hopes of a Swansea comeback.
In stoppage time, Cherki completed the Manchester City 3-1 victory over Swansea City has he turned provider into scorer, latching onto a pass from Josko Gvardiol and drilling a low shot past the goalkeeper to seal City’s progress to the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
Cherki’s overall performance earned him the Player of the Match award, but it was Marmoush’s impact that truly caught Guardiola’s attention. The Egyptian forward, who missed part of the early season through injury, showed sharpness and composure reminiscent of his best form.
Guardiola delighted with Marmoush’s recovery
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola praised Marmoush for his movement and understanding of the team’s tactical approach.
“With him with that system, five in the back, with centre defenders around, with Erling, he knows perfectly how to be patient,” Guardiola said according to Sport Witness
“How to be in small spaces, how to be consistent, to go to the runs in behind. We have incredibly good deliveries with Phil [Foden], especially with Rayan Cherki and, of course, Nico Gonzalez.”
Guardiola’s admiration for Marmoush was clear, as he emphasised the striker’s improvement and resilience after injury.
“It’s getting better and getting better. I’m happy for him more because a striker needs goals, and for his confidence, it will be important,” the City boss added.
“He’s been injured a long time, and of course, playing in the position from Erling is important. We know in many games we need both, and having him back is so nice.”
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Marmoush has had to be patient this season, playing understudy to Erling Haaland, who remains Guardiola’s first-choice centre-forward. Yet the Egyptian international made an impact last term, netting seven Premier League goals and earning praise for his work rate and adaptability.
His return to scoring form in the Manchester City 3-1 victory over Swansea City could not have come at a better time for the Sky Blues, who face a congested fixture list across four competitions.
Guardiola has hinted at experimenting with a front pairing of Haaland and Marmoush in upcoming games, a move that could offer City an added dimension in attack.
Haaland’s power and predatory instincts, combined with Marmoush’s movement and link-up play, could prove difficult for opposing defences to contain.
