Foden, Wilson, Diangana, Elliott and Smith Rowe make their mark
Thursday 27 September 2018 10:55, UK
We pick out five young stars who impressed during the Carabao Cup third round ties...
There's plenty of hype around Phil Foden right now, and in Manchester City's 3-0 win at Oxford, he showed why. The forward played a part in all three goals, including sealing the victory with his first senior goal for his boyhood club.
While boss Pep Guardiola played down comparisons with Andres Iniesta made by Oxford manager Karl Robinson, he insisted Foden's long-term future was with City. "I have said many times we are delighted with Phil," said Guardiola. "He has the quality to stay here for 10 years. He has all the skills to play with us."
Tuesday was a night to remember for Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson after he scored a stunning free-kick to help Derby on their way to a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old Wales international, who was also involved in the red card for United goalkeeper Sergio Romero, won praise from Sky Sports pundit Darren Bent after the game. "I don't think I've seen a better free-kick, ever," said the former England striker. "For him to get that kind of movement with a knuckleball as they call it, it was unbelievable."
West Ham 20-year-old Grady Diangana had a superb senior debut, as he scored twice at the London Stadium in the hosts' 8-0 thrashing of Macclesfield. The forward picked up the man-of-the-match prize for a performance which could see him pushing for Premier League involvement.
Set up twice by fellow youngster Joe Powell, the Englishman slotted in clinically to round off an emphatic victory.
What a week it has been for Harvey Elliott. The Fulham teenager was at school on Tuesday before heading across London to make his debut against Millwall at The Den. In doing so Elliott - aged 15 years and 174 days - became Fulham's youngest-ever player and the youngest player ever to feature in the League Cup.
In his nine-minute cameo, Elliott showed some neat touches and good composure on the ball as Fulham saw out their 3-1 win and boss Slavisa Jokanovic was impressed. "He moved the ball with quality and showed some speed," said Jokanovic. "We believe the future can be bright ahead of him." Elliott was back at school on Wednesday morning.
The rise of Emile Smith Rowe continued at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as the highly-rated 18-year-old made his first senior start in Arsenal's 3-1 win over Brentford.
The England youth international made an impact in pre-season and showed encouraging signs as he made the next step up to the first-team during his 63-minute run-out.
