An extra winners and losers looks back on a midweek of League Cup action…
Winners
Phil Foden
Star performance from England’s great white hope. Foden delivered a spectacular ball for City’s opener for Jesus as City romped past Oxford United, before scoring his first senior goal to round off a 3-0 win. It still feels too early for Foden to get a senior cap and that’s just fine with Euro 2020 nearly 2 years away. If the 18-year-old can make 25 all competition appearances this season it would represent huge progress for this precocios talent.
Danny Welbeck
No Premier league starts this season for Welbeck, but 3 goals in 7 days! Welbeck is now joint top scorer for his club this season and if he doesn’t get a league start soon expect a fair few Premier League clubs to form an orderly queue for his services come January.
Dele Alli
There was never any doubt Dele would sit out a Spurs home game played at the home of his boyhood club and old stomping ground! He responded with a penalty in normal time, a driving performance from midfield and the decisive spot kick. Not a bad nights work!
Emile Smith-Rowe
As expected the teenager got his senior Arsenal debut and played 64 minutes at the Emirates. It was a hit and miss performance in truth with the youngster showing some nice touches going forward but also that he’s a work in progress. But a promising debut none the less and one to watch over the next few seasons.
Grady Diangana
The young winger made a fine debut in West Ham’s 8-0 of trouncing of Macclesfield. Having bagged 2 goals in a side that has thus far lacked a striking presence, could a league debut be around the corner?
Losers
Dominic Solanke
Can’t even get a game in the EFL Cup. England’s Under 20 World Cup winner needs a loan move and fast!
Ashley Young
Young’s off colour performance was hardly the biggest talking point of Manchester United’s wretched week, but Gareth Southgate will have taken note. Young has looked off the pace all season and with Luke Shaw in fine form it looks like Young won’t be back at St Georges Park anytime soon.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Now injured! Just can’t catch a break at the Bridge!