There was little worry for Manchester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening as they eased past League One Huddersfield.

Phil Foden showed signs of regaining the form that earned him the Premier League Player of the Season title a year and a half ago, scoring an impressive opening goal. Savinho added a second for the young City team.

Here, Daily Mail Sport takes a look at the main talking points…

Phil Foden scored a fine opening Manchester City goal as they beat Huddersfield 2-0

Pep Guardiola named a youthful City side in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday

The kids are alright

The team was spearheaded by the remarkable Phil Foden, who ended with both a goal and an assist. The match also saw debut performances from Divine Mukasa and the Heskey brothers, Jaden and Reigan.

Divine intervention 

A member of the City staff mentioned to the Daily Mail Sport earlier this week that Divine Mukasa “really looks like a first team player.” This comment arises from watching the way the 18-year-old integrates with the squad during daily training sessions this season.

While some players find it daunting to step up to Guardiola’s squad, Mukasa—who astonishingly scored from the halfway line for the Under 18s against Newcastle United last year—has been impressing everyone with his training performances.

League One team Cardiff City, coached by former City staffer Brian Barry-Murphy, expressed interest in Mukasa with a loan offer over the summer. However, City opted to decline, choosing instead to involve him with the senior team.

Mukasa’s ease in his new environment was clear during a pre-season match in Palermo last month, as he engaged in a lengthy conversation with his manager in the tunnel after an impressive substitute appearance.

Aside from Nico O’Reilly, no academy star has impressed Guardiola as much as Mukasa over the last 18 months or so – and this debut, during which he assisted Phil Foden’s sumptuous 19th-minute opener, provided proof of the talent at City’s disposal.

Foden looked for options around the box, popping a ball off to Mukasa and the instinctive first time lay-off laid it on a plate. Foden recognised the quality, congratulating his work. Strong link-up play for somebody who has been used as a midfielder in the academy since signing from West Ham United two years ago but who Guardiola is testing out as a false nine in training.

He performed that role admirably, pulling wide to good effect and noticeably tracking back 40 yards to halt one threatening counterattack in a way we have seen so many of Guardiola’s City stars do in the past. Sources insist that his technical ability in small spaces and physicality should see him go far. Judging by this performance, more chances may be forthcoming soon.

It has been said that Divine Mukasa ‘just looks like a first team player’ at Manchester City

Heskey out of dad’s shadow

Jaden Heskey was stood on the touchline waiting for almost five minutes to finally come on and his introduction marked a drastic change in the last three seasons for the 19-year-old.

As a son of ex-England striker Emile, Heskey was a forward. But City coach Ben Wilkinson (son of ex-Leeds boss Howard) spotted something different and moved him into a No 8 role. He’s never looked back and fitted seamlessly into that role here – Guardiola beckoning him with the score still at 1-0.

Heskey’s character is different to the confident Mukasa, admitting to Daily Mail Sport that going up to train can be nerve-wracking.

‘I’d say I prefer midfield,’ he told us. ‘You’re more involved in the game. It’s a lot more running but I feel like I’ve adapted.’

Jaden Heskey – son of Premier League legend Emile – came off the bench in the second half

Lee Grant has Huddersfield in the play-offs of League One in his first management job

Grant is blazing a trail

In his first two months in management, former Derby County and Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant has Huddersfield inside the play-offs of the third tier.

It’s fairly rare to see a No 1 take the leap in becoming a totally different No 1 after retirement and Grant has put in the hard yards: during four years at Manchester United from 2018, he also coached the kids and has been part of the backroom staff under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town.

Huddersfield expect results after decent investment in the summer and the supporters booed the team off after last weekend’s goalless draw with Burton Albion. There were some signs of the intensity Grant presumably wants during this tie.

The forgotten man

A late substitute appearance for Kalvin Phillips, the first time he’s pulled on a City shirt since the 2023 Club World, was greeted with huge boos from the home crowd given the proximity to Leeds. 

‘We’re on the pitch if Kalvin scores,’ rang out of the away end.

Phillips was later ushered out of the back door of the stadium, heading back to London to be with his partner Ashleigh and their newborn, Ari.