Man City vs Huddersfield live score and goal updates as Kevin De Bruyne on as Jeremy Doku scores
Manchester City begin the defence of their FA Cup crown today with a home game against Championship side Huddersfield Town
Manchester City’s first game of 2024 sees them begin their defence of the FA Cup – and they have been boosted by the return of Jeremy Doku to the squad.
Pep Guardiola’s men lifted the famous trophy at Wembley back in June after beating Manchester United 2-1. Pep Guardiola revealed this week that victory over their rivals gave his City squad the belief they needed to go on and win the Champions League final in Istanbul a week later.
Guardiola once again named Kevin De Bruyne in his squad, and the Belgian could make his first appearance since the opening day of the season, with the manager admitting his talisman will be eased back into action over the coming weeks. Doku was back in the squad after a month out and could also get some minutes in the second half.
There was still no sign of Erling Haaland, who is back in training but hasn’t been risked against Huddersfield, while Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips are also missing with illness. Matheus Nunes overcame his own fever to make the bench, as Guardiola named a strong starting XI that also included Rico Lewis, Sergio Gomez and Oscar Bobb. Academy duo Jacob Wright and Micah Hamilton were on the bench.
Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is scheduled for 2pm and we’ll bring you all of the updates you need.
Check out our live blog below for updates from Man City vs Huddersfield.
KEY EVENTS
74′ – Doku scores on his return
15:40
66′ – Foden scores again!
15:30
38′ – Alvarez adds a second
14:39
32′ – Foden breaks the deadlock!
14:34
City squad arrive at the Etihad
12:42
15:40KEY EVENT
74′ – Doku scores on his return
De Bruyne drives forward, plays in Oscar Bobb and overlaps him to get to the byline with a turn of pace. He chips the ball just behind the penalty spot, for Jeremy Doku to convert smartly.
After that, Jacob Wright is on for his debut, replacing Mateo Kovacic. Phil Foden receives a standing ovation and a huge hug off the manager as he makes way for Micah Hamilton.
5-0
15:30KEY EVENT
66′ – Foden scores again!
Huddersfield has a golden chance to make it 3-1 as Nunes allows the ball forward and Dias doesn’t deal with it properly. But Ortega comes out to deby Sorba Thomas.
They don’t make it count, and City have a fourth a few minute later.
A corner is played short, Kevin De Bruyne plays inside to Gomez, who flicks round the corner to Dias, who lays it nito space for Foden.
It’s a lovely strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the area as Foden has his second goal of the game. Kevin, who?
4-0
15:22JOE BRAY
58′ – Bobb scores!
It’s a first Etihad goal for Oscar Bobb, who looks to chip a cross into the path of De Bruyne but it takes a deflection and drops in.
Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
The Etihad erupted for De Bruyne coming off the bench and it would have been a perfect introduction had Oscar Bobb chipped the ball to him for a header into an empty net. As it happened, it deflected in off a Huddersfield player before it got to him but it really didn’t take long for City to try to find their talisman.
3-0
15:21JOE BRAY
56′ – Bobb looking lively after the break
Oscar Bobb has seen two efforts flash by the post since the restart in a much better performance than his first half.
Here comes De Bruyne, who has the stadium on their feet as he walks towards the touchline. He takes the armband off Ruben Dias, and settles in behind Phil Foden.
Jack Grealish is off for Doku, and De Bruyne replaces Alvarez.
Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
Oscar Bobb struggled to make any kind of impact in the first half but he has been really lively since the break, taking on his man and earning opportunities inside the box. If he can work his way into another goal involvement, he will cement his place in the first team.
15:10JOE BRAY
45′ – Back underway
We’re back underway at the Etihad, with no changes for either side.
City will be looking for another goal to start making changes – and right on cue Kevin De Bruyne warms up to huge applause from all four sides of the ground. Jeremy Doku follows him to slightly less applause, and Rodri is out there too.
Could De Bruyne be coming on soon?
14:53JOE BRAY
HT – Half time!
City navigate the injury time without too much trouble. Huddersfield have been all bark and no bite, and look beaten already. 45 minutes to go – and you sense another goal for City could see the likes of De Bruyne and Doku introduced.
Half time ratings from Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
Ortega 7
Akanji 7
Lewis 6
Dias 6
Gvardiol 7
Gomez 6
Kovacic 7
Nunes 6
Foden 7
Bobb 6
Grealish 6
Alvarez 7
14:46JOE BRAY
45′ – Gomez is down with worrying injury
Sergio Gomez flies into a tackle and comes off second best, with the knee of Brodie Spencer flying up to smack him in the face, unintentionally. City players look concerned with the left-back for a moment and he receives treatment, but after a patch up and a change of shirt for a nosebleed, he’s able to come back on.
Seven minutes are added on.
Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
“City have made this game comfortable in the space of a couple of minutes, those two goals deflating the away fans hoping for an upset and giving the Huddersfield players that had been defending for their lives something to think about if they want to have a hope of staying in the cup beyond today. Guardiola will want at least another goal to make it comfortable, but he can be very satisfied with the half.”
14:39KEY EVENT
38′ – Alvarez adds a second
Huddersfield fans ask City fans where they were when City were not so good. City fans respond by saying ‘scoring ten when you were…’ not so good.
Moments later, Matheus Nunes plays a one-two and gets into the byline. Rico Lewis pokes his cross into the path of Julian Alvarez, who slides home.
“We want ten,” sing the City fans.
2-0
14:34KEY EVENT
32′ – Foden breaks the deadlock!
Phil Foden decides to take matters into his own hands and shoots from distance. It takes a deflection and flies gratefully into Lee Nicholls’ arms. For a period of about five minutes there, everyone but Ortega was in the final third for City, with Huddersfield having 11 men behind the ball.
Pep Guardiola said last week at Everton that Foden as the ability to break a gameplan by creating a moment of brilliance.
Right on cue, Julian Alvarez gets some space and who is there to fire home inside the box to open the deadlock? Phil Foden.
1-0
14:30JOE BRAY
29′ – City need to speed things up after ponderous start
Rico Lewis has gone to right-back, with Nunes taking Lewis’ position in midfield. Nunes takes a few minutes to get up to the speed of the game after his illness but is finding sharpness now.
City’s attacking is a little slow and ponderous, until a smart ball from Jack Grealish gives Sergio Gomez the chance to cross and cause some trouble. More of that will be needed to up the tempo.
Huddersfield fans have been singing: “Champions of Europe, you’re having a laugh’.
Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
City are beginning to turn up the heat on this cold January day. The periods of possession are getting longer and closer to the Huddersfield goal and both sets of fans beyond the goal start to sense that a breakthrough could be coming. City have had to readjust since Akanji went off but are finding their rhythm again now.
14:19JOE BRAY
18′ – Akanji injured as Huddersfield could have been reduced to ten
A moment of confusion as Sorba Thomas is played through, the flag goes up, but Thomas keeps running and forces Ortega into a save. The assistant then put his flag down and started running with play… before the referee correctly awards the offside. Strange.
Alex Matos gets a booking for hacking down Manu Akanji on the overlap and replays shows he elbowed Rico Lewis from behind seconds earlier but nothing is given for that. Could the Chelsea loanee have picked up two yellows in five seconds there?
Akanji needs tratment and City send Ake, Nunes and Walker out to warm up. Akanji is limping heavily but hobbles back onto the pitch. As soon as play stops, he goes to ground again. Nunes replaces him as Akanji limps down the tunnel.
Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
With Huddersfield packing the box and the space in front of it, City have been forced to go to Bobb and Grealish on the wings for their main outlets. They had some joy then when Bobb cut in and Grealish has also had a few runs, but at the minute the main thrust of the team is being stifled and Foden is struggling to get and stay on the ball.
0-0
14:10JOE BRAY
9′ – City respond to early Huddersfield pressure
There was no 12 second goal, but Hudderfield did pend the first minute in City’s third, putting in two dangerous crosses and starting on the ball to the encouragement of their noisy travelling fans. The unmistakeable collective roar of ‘go on…!’ from an away end that is only really heard in the FA Cup gets an early airing, and the Terriers fans are ole-ing before the two minute mark as their side but some passes together.
After that early excitment, we start to see that Rico Lewis is at number eight, with Mateo Kovacic holding the midfield. It’s effectively a back three with Akanji on the right of that trio and Sergio Gomez roaming forward. Oscar Bobb is on the right.
After a sustained period of City pressure, Gomez does well to stop a Hudderfield counter attack. Alvarez shoots from range but it’s easily held, and Jack Grealish’s cross from the byline is cleared.
Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
“The Huddersfield Town fans are in good voice as they enjoy their day with the chance of an upset, and the visitors have been bright. City remain a bit jittery at the back, but have started to impose their possession game on Huddersfield. Darren Moore is currently squatting by the touchline as his team try and defend. He definitely can’t keep that up for 90 minutes whatever his team do.”
0-0
14:01JOE BRAY
1′ – Kick off!
The teams are out to a big applause, with the Huddersfield fns taking the top tier of the South Stand and a third of the second tier.
The players walk past the FA Cup, decked in City’s sky blue ribbons, and after the handshakes we’re underway.
Ruben Dias gives the team talk in the huddle, and Huddersfield get us underway. There’s no screamer inside the first 12 seconds, which is a shame.
0-0
13:53JOE BRAY
City’s FA Cup dominance record backs up Pep’s claim
Since City lost at Wigan in 2018, they have lost just three FA Cup games in 27 attempts, winning the competition twice and reaching three semi-finals. The last time they lost in the third round was against Manchester United in 2012, with an 11-game winning-run at this stage.
Before that, they lost just twice in eight years at the third round stage – against Nottingham Forest in 2009 and Oldham Athletic in 2005.
Pep Guardiola spoke on Friday that you won’t find anyone at the club who doesn’t like the FA Cup, and is proud of City’s record of treating it with respect. Their strong record in the competition underlines that fact, and today will be no different as City look to begin their defence of the trophy in winning fashion.
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
13:44JOE BRAY
Rodri’s muted warm-up
Rodri was the first substitute out to warm up, but has been in his big coat and spent a good 10-15 minutes lightly passing the ball with Micah Hamilton and Jacob Wright – while the other substitutes including Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku were enjoying a bit more of an intensive rondo.
However, Rodri is not with that main group, with Wright called over to the group of starters to add an extra body to their passing drill and then lay-off balls for the forwards to shoot against Ederson.
Rodri has belatedly taken that big coat off, but doesn’t look like a player expecting to feature much today – which would be entirely understandable after an emotional week in his private life.
Pep Guardiola has been speaking pre-match and says De Bruyne and Doku are ready to play:
“We have [injury] problems, it’s a familiar issue. They are ready to play. They are on the bench and are ready.”
13:37SIMON BAJKOWSKI
Do City need to build momentum going into the Newcastle game?
Newcastle’s comfortable win over Sunderland yesterday will have propped them up after a run of poor results to restore some confidence.
That makes City’s task next week a bit trickier as they travel to St James’ Park in the Premier League. They are absolutely committed to going all the way in the FA Cup, but with the league as the priority this match must be used to prepare City as best as possible for next week.
Pep Guardiola sits in the St James’ Park dugout before the Carabao Cup match between Newcastle United and Manchester City(Image: Man City)
13:22JOE BRAY
Who is Jacob Wright?
It’s a first call-up for midfielder Jacob Wright, who is a defensive midfielder who has been around the City first team after an impressive start to the season. He was in the squad who travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup last month, but didnt get onto the bench.
Figures in City’s academy have privately likened him to Jorginho as a player, with the teenager competing with Mahamadou Susoho for minutes with the under-23s.
EDS Head Coach Brian Barry-Murphy spoke to MEN Sport about Wright after the UEFA Youth League draw at Leipzig earlier this season, saying:
“He’s a very young player. Probably has seen Romeo Lavia, Shea Charles [ahead of him]. If we’re being honest he would have not been expecting to play as many minutes as he has. Isaiah Dada-Mascoll is a big number six and Mahamadou Susoho is older than him. He’s really young and wouldn’t have expected to play in this competition.
“So for us it’s interesting to see him play and grow into the role. A highly technical player, and one who’s adapting to the physicality of these games and improving.”
Freddy Jeffreys of Bradford City battles for possession with Jacob Wright of Manchester City U21(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
13:10SIMON BAJKOWSKI
Foden and Alvarez get another chance upfront
City’s top scorer last season in the FA Cup was Riyad Mahrez, who of course is on longer at City.
Among those in second were Foden and Alvarez, and both of those players are looking to bolster their credentials ahead of the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
Foden and Alvarez are seen as City’s future yet both have been key to their present this season and will be hoping it can stay that way despite the return of more senior and bigger names.
Phil Foden celebrates after equalising for Manchester City against Everton
13:01JOE BRAY
City starting XI confirmed
Starts for Bobb, Gomez, Gvardiol and Lewis as Pep Guardiola makes changes to his side.
Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski at the Etihad:
“Several players rested for City but still plenty of strength in that team that should have the quality to see off Huddersfield. Oscar Bobb has earned a start after his impressive performance off the bench against Sheffield United and it looks like he will be on the right wing with Grealish on the left.
“It could be any of Sergio Gomez, Rico Lewis or Manu Akanji in midfield for City. That’s how versatile the City lineup and squad is that any number of players could play any number of positions. Whoever is there can expect Mateo Kovacic alongside them backing them up, with Phil Foden given licence to attack ahead of them.”
12:49SIMON BAJKOWSKI
Doku is back to provide City with a huge boost
That sickness bug may have seen off Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips but Matheus Nunes and Scott Carson are back and Rodri is back from Madrid following his sad personal news.
The big boost from that squad is Jeremy Doku, who hasn’t been seen since the 3-3 draw with Spurs at the beginning of last month.
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
12:42KEY EVENT
City squad arrive at the Etihad
This is the City squad who have arrived at the Etihad.
No Haaland again, and Bernardo doesn’t appear to have recovered from illness, nor has Kalvin Phillips. But Nunes and Carson have, and Rodri is back after the sad news in his family this week.
Youngster Jacob Wright is included in a senior squad for the first time, and Micah Hamilton joins him.
Lewis, Dias, Hamilton, Ake, Kovacic, Bobb, Ortega, Gvardiol, Foden, Ederson, Nunes, Wright, Doku, Carson, Gomez, Alvarez, De Bruyne, Rodri, Grealish, Walker, Akanji.
12:32SIMON BAJKOWSKI
City could be left short in midfield after unexpected absences
The teamsheet should give a much clearer indication of the state of City’s squad. Guardiola revealed a sickness bug that had been sweeping through the squad and had said that Rodri was in Madrid following the death of his grandmother but could be back for this game.
Those absences would leave the Blues short in midfield, but a familiar looking lineup will play down any concerns about lasting concerns for the illness.
(Image: 2023 Getty Images)
12:16JOE BRAY
City’s impressive recent record against Huddersfield
City drew against Huddersfield in the FA Cup in Pep Guardiola’s first season, before winning the replay at the Etihad 5-1.
During the Terrier’s two-year stay in the Premier League, City won three of their four meetings at an aggregate score of 11-2, but were held to a 0-0 draw at the end of the 2017/18 season at the Etihad on the day City lifted the Prmier League trophy that day.
In the last 22 meetings between the sides, City have lost just three – including the incredible 10-1 win in 1987 against today’s visitors.
With 5-1, 6-1 and 10-1 victories over Huddersfield in living memory, could we be set for another big scoreline today? City battered Championship winners Burnley last season at the Etihad, and Huddersfield are struggling at the other end of the table this year.
Sergio Aguero celebrates his hat-trick goal when City faced Huddersfield at the Etihad(Image: Getty Images)
12:09SIMON BAJKOWSKI
Guardiola’s previous in the FA Cup against Huddersfield
Huddersfield took City to a replay in the FA Cup during Guardiola’s first year in England when they were still in the Championship.
The former Barcelona and Bayern coach has probably been squashed into plenty of tiny press conference rooms during his career but seeing him cheek to cheek with reporters he was normally well away from in City’s media auditorium felt like another bump to earth for one of the best coaches.
As time has gone on, it has become clearer how much Guardiola relishes the fresh challenges caused by teams that he doesn’t normally face and he will be looking forward to this today.
12:02JOE BRAY
Fever hits the City camp this week
Fever has hit the City squad this week, but it’s not Cup Fever ahead of the most exciting weekend of the football calendar for neutral fans.
Instead, a sickness bug has swept the squad, with Kalvin Phillips unable to train for five days, as well as Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes and Scott Carson also hit with illness. For Phillips and Nunes in particular, this would be a fixture to get a rare start and make an impression – but they may not be able to feature if they have been under the weather.
City should still have enough to get past the Championship strugglers, of course, but Pep Guardiola may be restricted when it comes to his rotation options on third round weekend.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
11:39SIMON BAJKOWSKI
An FA Cup first as the treble winners take to the field
As has been pointed out by a few fans, City’s game today will be the first time in English football that the FA Cup has had Treble winners play in it.
United famously pulled out in 2000 as they played in the Club World Cup instead, prompting that incredible newspaper front page where every minor celebrity of the day slammed them for it. Good luck telling Pep Guardiola to sit out a trophy opportunity!
The five major trophies won by Manchester City in 2023 on display at the Etihad Stadium
10:58ROSS JACKSON
Pep teases new partnership
Pep Guardiola has teased City fans by suggesting Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden could play in the same XI.
Foden has filled in at No.10 at times during De Bruyne’s absence, though the Belgian looks ready to make his comeback after being named on the bench against Sheffield United last week.
Many expected Foden would be moved to facilitate his teammate’s return, but that might not be the case.
Read here >>>
(Image: 2023 Getty Images)
ROSS JACKSON
Team news
City have been without some of their star men in recent weeks and Guardiola provided an injury update in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Kevin De Bruyne returned to the bench last weekend despite Guardiola admitting he didn’t think the Belgian was ready to make an appearance. The City boss revealed on Friday he’s hoping to offer De Bruyne a cameo appearance from the bench as he continues to return to full fitness and so today could be the day we welcome back the Belgian.
Erling Haaland isn’t quite ready to make his return and Guardiola admitted it’s unlikely he’ll be in the squad to face Huddersfield or Newcastle, but never say never when it comes to Pep’s team selection.
Read the injury latest here >>>
ROSS JACKSON
How to watch the game
Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm today and you can watch the action on BBC iPlayer.
If you don’t have access to BBC iPlayer then don’t worry, we’ll bring you all the updates you need.
Team news is expected to drop at 1pm and it will be interesting to see whether Pep Guardiola affords some of his academy stars the chance to shine.
(Image: 2023 Daniel Chesterton/Offside)
ROSS JACKSON
Hello!
Welcome to our live coverage of Manchester City vs Huddersfield.
The Blues begin their FA Cup defence today as they aim to retain the trophy for the first time in their history.
Their first hurdle comes in the shape of Championship side Huddersfield Town. The Terriers are struggling in the second tier this season and sit just three points above the drop zone, so Pep Guardiola and his side will fancy their chances of making it through to the fourth round with minimal fuss.
City haven’t lost to Huddersfield this century – granted the two sides have only played each other seven times – with City’s last defeat to today’s opponents coming all the way back in 1999. Their last meeting came at the John Smith’s Stadium in 2019 as City secured a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Stick with us as we bring you all of the team news and updates right here.
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