Manchester City eased into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a routine win at Huddersfield on Wednesday night, which saw three debuts handed out and a surprise return of midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
City won 2-0 at Huddersfield thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Savinho with academy trio Divine Mukasa, Jaden Heskey and Reigan Heskey all making their competitive debuts.
Late on, midfielder Phillips made his first City appearance since the 2023 Club World Cup after recovering from an injury that prevented him securing a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Phillips has had underwhelming loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich over the last two seasons, but will now be given the chance to get more appearances under his belt at City.
Jude Bellingham sends message to Kalvin Phillips after Man City comeback
Phillips was last seen representing City in their 2024 pre-season tour, with Pep Guardiola demoting him to a makeshift centre-back as he ‘couldn’t see’ the England international playing in midfield.
A loan at Ipswich followed before injury this summer meant he has remained at City, leading to his shock substitute appearance at Huddersfield
Taking to Instagram afterwards, Phillips wrote: “It’s been a long 3 and a half months out and there’s still work to be done personally. Nevertheless, I’m so happy to be back out on the pitch again in a City shirt.”
And among the supportive comments was England teammate Jude Bellingham, who wrote: “what a sight” with an emoji of two hands making a love heart.
Pep Guardiola reveals Kalvin Phillips plan after first appearance for Man City since 2023
The replies to Phillips’ post were flooded with supportive messages from his former Ipswich teammates, as well as a message from ex-City captain Kyle Walker, who wrote: “Love it mate.”
Speaking after the game, Pep Guardiola said: “It’s a good moment. Yesterday he was a father to [newborn son] Ari Phillips and he came this morning from London and is now going back to London to his wife and the kids.
“He came back for a few minutes because we didn’t know the position but the game was controlled. They didn’t make a lot of efforts in behind and that was really good.”
Before the game, Guardiola had said: “As much as he’s a player for Man City, he’ll train with us and we’ll try to help, and maybe this season changes, and maybe [he] can play some games and get confident and play and help us. So as much as he’s a player with us, always he’ll be with the first team training with us.”
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