The latest instalment of the Women's Super League returns this weekend, with the opening round of fixtures offering plenty of insight as to what this season may hold. 

Sonia Bompastor started her quest for Chelsea's sixth straight title with a triumph against Aston Villa, with the Blues again kickstarting the action on matchday two.

The defending champions make the short journey to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, while Sunday's action features both Manchester City and Arsenal after their enthralling encounter at the Emirates. 

Elsewhere, Manchester United will be hoping to build on their emphatic first week showing against Everton, with Liverpool and West Ham squaring off in their attempts to get their respective campaigns up and running. 

But who does the Opta supercomputer predict will emerge victorious this time around? 

CRYSTAL PALACE V CHELSEA

Bompastor started her tenure as Chelsea head coach with a win, but the Blues were made to work for their triumph at Kingsmeadow in last week's curtain-raiser. 

However, Chelsea remain overwhelming favourites to stay perfect against newly-promoted Crystal Palace, winning 88.4% of the supercomputer's pre-match simulations, compared to 7.3% for their opponents.

Chelsea have also won each of their last eight games without conceding when facing an opponent for the first time in the WSL, last losing 4-0 away to Sunderland in July 2015.

But despite their dominance under Emma Hayes, the Blues have failed to win their opening away game in each of the last six WSL seasons (D4 L2), since beating the Black Cats 6-0 in the 2017-18 campaign.

MANCHESTER CITY V BRIGHTON

On Sunday, Brighton are the opponents as Gareth Taylor's City aim to get their first win on the board following last week's 2-2 draw at Arsenal.

Despite the visitors starting their own campaign with a 4-0 triumph against Everton, the Seagulls are handed just a 4.5% chance of a victory in our pre-match simulations, with the Citizens given a huge 87.3% win probability. 

However, City hold a favourable record over their opponents, winning nine of their 11 WSL meetings with Brighton, but they did lose this exact fixture last season 1-0 (D1). 

Vivianne Miedema found the net on her Citizens debut last week, and she has had a hand in 15 goals in 10 games against Brighton (seven goals and eight assists) with only Miedema herself against Bristol City (14 goals and five assists) having more goals and assists combined against a single club in WSL history.

EVERTON V MANCHESTER UNITED 

After putting West Ham to the sword in their opening game of the new season, United arrive at Walton Hall Park with confidence ahead of facing Everton. 

The Red Devils have been given a 58.7% chance of emerging victorious, while the Toffees are predicted at 20.2% to win, with the likelihood of a draw coming in at 21.1%.

United have won their opening away game in each of their last four WSL seasons, including all three under Marc Skinner, while also prevailing in four of their five away league games against Everton, including a 5-0 win in this fixture last season, their biggest ever success on the road in the competition.

Everton have never beaten United in 10 previous WSL meetings (D2 L8), with Man City the only other team the Toffees have failed to beat in the competition (P16 L16).

LEICESTER V ARSENAL

After a thrilling encounter with Man City last time out, Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester, looking to get their title charge up and running.

The visitors are assigned a 74.7% chance of a win, with the Foxes victorious in 11% of our pre-match simulations and 14.3% finishing all square.

One player for Leicester to watch out for will be Alessia Russo. She has scored in each of her last four WSL appearances against the Foxes, including a hat-trick for Man United last year – the striker has scored more top-flight goals against the Foxes (six) than any other opponent.  

The Foxes have lost all six of their WSL games against Arsenal by an aggregate scoreline of 23-2, conceding four or more goals in four of those games.

WEST HAM V LIVERPOOL 

Following on from the men's EFL Cup clash in midweek, West Ham's women welcome Liverpool to the Chigwell Construction Stadium, with both in search of three points.

But it is the Reds who are favoured in the pre-match simulations, winning 46.2% of those, while the Hammers are given a 29.2% chance of a win, with a draw given a 24.6% chance of happening. 

West Ham have won just one of their last 17 home matches in the WSL (D7 L9), having won six of their previous 17 such games in the competition (D4 L7).

But Liverpool have not enjoyed recent trips to the capital, winning just one of their last 12 away WSL games in London (D3 L8), beating Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates last year.

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM

The weekend's action concludes at Villa Park, with Aston Villa's gutsy showing against defending champions Chelsea making them favourites against Tottenham. 

Robert de Pauw's side were victorious in 43.8% of our pre-match simulations. Spurs are given a 29.4% chance of victory, and 26.8% chance of earning a point. 

Spurs, however, are unbeaten in their last three away games in the WSL (W2 D1) with their final two matches on the road last season ending 2-2 (vs. Man United and Everton) - no team has ever avoided defeat in three consecutive away games in the competition when also conceding multiple goals.

Villa have lost just one of their last five WSL meetings against this weekend's opponents (W3 D1), but that sole loss did come in this fixture last season, losing 4-2 at the Bescot Stadium.

Kylian Mbappe is likely to miss this weekend's Madrid derby after picking up an injury in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday. 

Mbappe, who scored Los Blancos' second goal of the night, was replaced by Arda Guler in the 80th minute and was seen gesturing to his thigh as he left the pitch. 

The Frenchman's sensational start to life in the Spanish capital has seen him score seven goals in his first nine appearances in all competitions.

Mbappe has also produced more shots on target (19) than anyone in LaLiga so far, netting five of the 10 big chances he has been presented with. 

But head coach Carlo Ancelotti could be without his star striker against Atletico Madrid this weekend. 

"Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid's Medical Services on our player Kylian Mbappe, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg," Real said in a statement.

"His progress will be monitored."

Real's midweek victory moved them to within a point of league leaders Barcelona, who face Getafe on Wednesday. 

Manchester City have confirmed Rodri has suffered a ligament injury in his right knee, with the midfielder undergoing further tests to ascertain the extent of the problem.

Rodri exited Sunday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal with a serious-looking knee injury midway through the first half, having turned awkwardly while tussling with Thomas Partey before a corner was taken.

Reports subsequently claimed the Spain star could miss the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and he was spotted visiting a specialist in Barcelona.

After Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Watford in the EFL Cup, Pep Guardiola said Rodri will be out "for a long time", describing him as "irreplaceable".

On Wednesday, City confirmed Rodri had sustained ligament damage but said tests were ongoing to determine the expected prognosis.

City said: "The midfielder travelled to Spain to seek specialist consultation this week, following initial tests in Manchester.

"Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis.

"Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and we will bring you regular updates regarding his rehabilitation."

City only lost one of the 50 matches in which Rodri appeared across all competitions last season, May's FA Cup final versus Manchester United.

In the nine they played without him, their win percentage dropped from 76% to 55.6%, and they lost three of the four Premier League matches he missed.

Steve Cooper is desperate to prove himself to Leicester City's supporters after being the target of dissenting chants during their EFL Cup tie at Walsall on Tuesday.

Leicester scraped through to the fourth round of the EFL Cup by winning 3-0 in a penalty shoot-out at the Bescot Stadium, having seen a much-changed team held to a 0-0 draw.

Goalkeeper Danny Ward saved all three spot-kicks he faced, but Leicester's performance drew criticism from the away end as the Foxes only managed two shots on target – and none in the first half.

Amid chants of "this is embarrassing", one supporter even encroached on the playing area to vent his frustrations at Cooper before being removed by stewards.

Leicester are also one of six teams yet to win a Premier League game this term, and Cooper's links to their rivals Nottingham Forest meant his appointment was not universally welcomed.

He knows he must build a positive relationship with fans as quickly as possible, saying: "I have no problem with it. It's an experience that I will try to make the best of.

"What an opportunity to show how good I am and how good we are. That will be my approach to it.

"I'll never have a bad opinion about any view. I have a lot of respect for supporters. I know I have got to build credit with supporters. 

"It's nights like this where you can look back and really build strong relationships. That's my objective.

"I really, really want to do well for this football club. I've really bought into what it stands for and the people who work here. 

"Everyone is so good-willed and good-natured and wants the club to do well and I take that responsibility seriously. It's important to talk about it. I see it as a great opportunity."

Leicester face a tough assignment at Arsenal on Saturday, having lost their last five league matches against the Gunners, also winning just one of their last 26 away league games against them (four draws, 21 losses).

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was not unduly worried after his side were made to survive a late rally in their 3-2 victory over Alaves in LaLiga on Tuesday.

Goals from Lucas Vazquez, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo had Madrid cruising at the Santiago Bernabeu, only for Alaves to threaten a comeback with two goals in as many minutes late on.

Los Blancos held on for victory in what was Ancelotti's 300th game in charge, making him just the second coach to reach that milestone with the club after Miguel Munoz (605 matches).

Madrid have already dropped points twice this season to trail Barcelona in LaLiga, but Ancelotti preferred to focus on the positives after Tuesday's game.

"This is football and when you think the game is over, you get distracted and allow your rival to score, you give them a confidence boost while your own confidence is shaken," he said. 

"It's something that happens all the time in football and it won't stop happening. Sure, we don't want that to happen to us, nobody does, but we need to highlight that for over 80 minutes our team played really, really well and that is what gives us confidence moving forward.

"For over an hour the team played very well, looking for opportunities in different ways, in transition, filtering passes through the opponent's lines... 

"The team is improving, it's good for us because the schedule is very demanding. Sunday's game [against Atletico Madrid] will also be very demanding."

Ancelotti added he was delighted with Mbappe's progress since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, praising his combination with Jude Bellingham for the second goal. 

"Mbappe is playing great, we are doing really well in attack," Ancelotti said.

"Bellingham is growing, he gave the assist to Mbappe and played a very complete game. He needs to get used to playing a bit more inside the box, like he did last year.

"It's more complicated against a team with a low block like Alaves. What I ask Bellingham is to do that kind of work, not to score goals. With the players we have, we can score at any moment." 

Madrid's opening goalscorer Vazquez, meanwhile, told Los Blancos to sharpen up after their late scare.

"It's a shame that with the performance that we were putting throughout the match, it had to finish the way that it did," Vazquez told Real Madrid TV.

"We played a great game until the 88th minute, when two lapses in concentration led to two goals and we had to suffer a bit more than we should have.

"We didn't deserve this ending, with the game we had played, but let's look on the bright side, we did a lot of things right."

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has surprisingly announced his retirement from football, just two months after joining Como.

Varane left United as a free agent at the end of last season after three years at Old Trafford, having endured an injury-hit 2023-24 campaign.

He previously spent 10 years with Madrid, winning LaLiga three times and the Champions League on four occasions, also playing a key role as France won the 2018 World Cup.

Varane joined newly promoted Serie A side Como, who are managed by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, in July but suffered a knee injury on his debut last month.

Following that setback, the centre-back has decided to hang up his boots at the age of just 31.

He wrote in an Instagram post: "They say all good things must come to an end. 

"In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible.

"I hold myself to the highest standard, I want to go out strong, not just holding on to the game. It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct. 

"Desire and needs are two different things. I have fallen and risen a thousand times, and this time, it's the moment to stop and hang my boots up with my final game winning a trophy at Wembley.

"I have no regrets, I wouldn't change a thing. I have won more than I could have even dreamed of, but beyond the accolades and trophies, I am proud that I have stuck to my principles of being sincere and have tried to leave everywhere better than I found it. 

"And so, a new life begins off the pitch. I will remain with Como. Just without using my boots and shin pads. Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon."

Iliman Ndiaye is determined to shine for Everton, as he aims to give the club’s fans something back for the love they have shown him since he signed.

Ndiaye was brought in from Marseille in the summer, and has made a bright start to life at Everton.

He scored his first Premier League goal on Saturday, putting Everton 1-0 up against Leicester City, though Sean Dyche’s team – for the fourth game running in all competitions – gave up their lead.

Everton managed to hold on to claim their first point of the season, and there was good news for the club on Monday, as it was confirmed The Friedkin Group, which also owns Serie A club Roma, had struck a deal to buy Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake.

While the formalities of that deal are completed, Everton will be looking for an immediate improvement on the pitch, starting against Crystal Palace on Saturday, and in-form Ndiaye is hoping to kick-start that.

Speaking to evertontv, he said: "I’m happy, but I’m still not as I want to be. I want to be on more goals. I want to be on more assists and help the team to win games – make the difference.

"Obviously, it’s a team game. I can’t do everything by myself, so we’re helping each other out. But yes, I’m happy with how it’s going so far for me, personally.

"We’re creating chances, but now it’s about winning games. I’ve said before that we have a great team and great players. It’s what you want to do in a game – you want to create yourself chances, which we’re doing.

"I haven’t been told if I’m a fans’ favourite yet or not, but I see the love from the fans already.

"I just try to give them back what they’re giving to me. They want to see us win and that’s what they deserve. We should have more points right now, but we’ll just take it step by step from today – and hopefully, the future is bright."

Palace and Everton are two of six teams yet to win a Premier League game this season, which is the first instance of as many sides being without a victory five matches into a campaign.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Dwight McNeil

McNeil, who has been playing centrally as of late as Dyche has looked to accommodate Ndiaye on the left wing, has created more chances (20) and more big chances (six) than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.

Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze

No player has been involved in more of their team’s shots this season than Eze (30 – 10 chances created + 20 shots).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Opta’s win probability is struggling to decide between these teams, so do not be surprised if it finishes all square at Goodison Park.

Everton have lost both of their Premier League home games so far this season. Only four times in their history have they ever lost their first three at home in a single league campaign, though one of these was last term (also 1958-59, 2005-06 and 2008-09).

Palace’s last three games, meanwhile, have ended in draws. They have not drawn four consecutive league games since October 2021 under Patrick Vieira.

Everton are winless in their last six Premier League games (D1 L5), despite taking the lead in four of those matches (D1 L3). Indeed, the Toffees have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (eight).

After winning four of their first six Premier League away games against Everton (L2), Palace are winless in their last nine visits to Goodison Park in the competition (D4 L5).

Everton have lost just one of their last 19 Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace (W9 D9), a 3-1 loss at Selhurst Park in December 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 37%

Crystal Palace – 36.7%

Draw – 26.3%

Emile Smith Rowe already feels at home at Fulham, as the former Arsenal man looks to continue his positive start to the season at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Smith Rowe left Arsenal after 14 years at the club to join Marco Silva's team in a deal reportedly worth up to £35million last month, and he has wasted no time in making an impact.

He has contributed to goals in each of his first three home games with Fulham (two goals, one assist), scoring their second goal in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Ahead of this week's trip to the City Ground to face Forest, who are one point better off than Fulham and still unbeaten, Smith Rowe said he was delighted with his start. 

"I couldn't be happier, we just had another really good performance and now it's onto the next one," Smith Rowe told the club's website.

"I think it's all been about getting my confidence back and getting back on the pitch. Everyone knows it's been a difficult couple of years for me.

"I'm feeling really happy out on the pitch and the gaffer is giving me so much confidence. I'm really happy here and it feels like home already, so it's good."

Forest, meanwhile, played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Brighton last time out, going 1-0 up through Chris Wood's opener before falling behind, only for Ramon Sosa to score a second-half equaliser.

Speaking after that game, New Zealand striker Wood said: "It is always good to get something out of the game when coming away from home in the Premier League. Brighton is a tough place to come, they are a good side.

"We got into the lead well and they weren't causing us too many problems until the goal went in. Then we went on a down spell and they had a good spell. They are a good side, and that's how it goes.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalise on it but we have strong character in the group, fought back and scored a lovely goal to equalise."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood

Since Nuno Espirito Santo's first game in charge of Forest on December 23 last year, only five players have scored more Premier League goals than Wood (14 in 21 games).

Wood has converted 29% of his shots in that time (14/48), while he also netted in a 3-1 victory for Forest when they last hosted Fulham on April 2.

Fulham – Andreas Pereira 

In the Premier League in 2024, only Kevin De Bruyne (74) has created more chances than Fulham's Pereira (66), with 41 of those coming via set-plays, the most of any player. 

It is the most Premier League chances created by a Fulham player in a calendar year since 2011 (Danny Murphy, 74).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Fulham have won more league games against Nottingham Forest than they have versus any other opponent in their league history (42). They have won eight of their last 11 against the Tricky Trees, losing three.

However, Forest's 3-1 victory in this exact fixture last term ended a run of four straight home league defeats to Fulham. They last beat them in back-to-back home league matches in 2014-15.

Nuno's side should enter the match in high spirits as one of just four sides who remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season, alongside Manchester City, Arsenal and Brighton.

Forest last avoided defeat in their opening six matches of a league campaign in 2014-15 in the Championship (first 11). 

Fulham, however, have also performed well, with only City (36), Spurs (35) and Liverpool (34) bettering their 28 shots on target in the Premier League this season. Their current average of 5.6 shots on target per game is their best in any Premier League campaign. An entertaining draw could be on the cards.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Nottingham Forest – 39%

Fulham – 34.4% 

Draw – 26.5%

Enzo Maresca believes his young Chelsea side sent out a message with their 5-0 thrashing of Barrow in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick, netting twice in the first half before claiming the match ball with his 75th-minute effort.

Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman turned into his own net just before the half-hour mark, with Pedro Neto getting Chelsea's fourth three minutes after the break.

It was just Chelsea's second win at Stamford Bridge under Maresca, after their victory over Servette in August, with the Italian making 11 changes to his line-up as he continues to rotate his squad.

His much-changed team dominated throughout though, having 20 shots, with half of those on target, as they limited their League Two opponents to just five efforts and only one on target.

Maresca was particularly impressed with how Chelsea rose to the challenge he set them prior to kick-off.

"Before the game, I asked the players that even if they are the youngest team in the Premier League, to show how serious we are to me, but also to send a message that, yes, we are young, but we are serious and want to compete," Maresca said, as reported by BBC Sport.

Maresca made another notable change at the break, with Ben Chilwell coming on to replace Malo Gusto, who has recently returned from injury.

Chilwell was one of the players training away from the main squad at the start of Maresca's tenure, but he was unable to secure a move away from the club in the transfer window.

The left-back struggled with injuries last season and was limited to just 21 appearances under Mauricio Pochettino. 

Having reintegrated Chilwell back into the squad and handing him his first minutes since their FA Cup semi-final in April, Maresca was happy with what he saw from the England international.

"Very good. It was not easy for Chilly. He didn't get any minutes this season, but he has shown he is there, he is ready and working well," Maresca said.

"There is not any problem. If we have a chance, we will give him some more minutes."  

Pep Guardiola expects Rodri to be "out for a long time", though Manchester City are still waiting for official confirmation on the extent of the midfielder's injury.

Rodri sustained a serious-looking knee injury during a corner in City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, having turned awkwardly while tiusslinThomas Partey.

The former Atletico Madrid man has since been seen in Barcelona, with reports suggesting that he has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

That would possibly keep him out for the season and would be a huge blow to City, for whom he has proven to be a key man since joining in 2019.

Before City's EFL Cup third-round tie with Watford, which they won 2-1 to progress to the next round, Guardiola was unable to offer any updates on his condition.

However, in his post-match interview, Guardiola conceded that he would be without the Spain international for a prolonged period.

"Rodri will be out for a long time, a while," Guardiola said.

"There are some opinions that it will be less than we thought, but we are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get. We should know tomorrow."

Rodri played 50 times for City in all competitions last season, losing just one of those matches.

However, in the nine they played without him, their win percentage dropped from 76% to 55.6%, with their points-per-game dropping from 2.5 to 1.7.

And Guardiola knows the onus will be on him to find a solution.

"When a team doesn't play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time, it is a big blow," Guardiola told reporters.

"Yes, he's irreplaceable. But my duty is to find a solution.

"There is an alternative, we will do it. When you have one player who is irreplaceable, as a team we have to find a solution."

Danny Ward saved all three penalties he faced to lead Leicester City to a 3-0 shootout win after a 0-0 draw against Walsall in the EFL Cup third round.

Leicester struggled to break down their resolute League Two opposition, with their only two shots on target coming in the second half.

The travelling Leicester fans were left frustrated by their side's showing, with one fan even making his way onto the pitch to vent at Steve Cooper before being removed by security staff.

But Leicester, who are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season since being promoted back to the top flight, prevailed from 12 yards.

Ricardo Pereira, Conor Coady and Oliver Skipp all netted their spot-kicks, but goalkeeper Ward ensured he will take the plaudits after correctly guessing right for all three of Walsall's penalties to seal the Foxes' place in the next round.

Elsewhere, Jhon Duran's hot streak in front of goal continued as he helped Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.

Emiliano Buendia marked his long-awaited return to the starting line-up after a long-term injury with the opening goal for Villa before Duran scored the second from the penalty spot after being brought down by Declan Skura.

Wycombe substitute Richard Kone got on the scoresheet to create some nerves for Villa, who held firm to avoid a fourth consecutive EFL Cup third-round exit.

Real Madrid fended off a late comeback from Deportivo Alaves to win 3-2 and ensure Carlo Ancelotti tasted victory in his 300th match.

Reigning LaLiga champions Madrid were cruising to victory at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday as goals from Lucas Vazquez, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo put them 3-0 up.

Carlos Benavidez and Kike Garcia scored in the 85th and 86th minutes for Alaves but Madrid held on to win a match they had mostly dominated.

Madrid opened the scoring under a minute after kick-off when Vinicius Junior took a long Federico Valverde pass in his stride and ran up the left channel before setting up full-back Vazquez, who fired home from close range.

Los Blancos extended their lead in the 40th minute when Mbappe played a neat one-two with Jude Bellingham before cutting inside and slotting in a tidy finish, keeping up his run of form in front of goal.

Rodrygo scored Madrid's third three minutes after the restart, placing a low shot under the goalkeeper's legs to finish off a quick counter-attack.

However, both Benavidez and Garcia capitalised on some poor defending to get Alaves back in the contest and set up a grandstand finale.

Thankfully for Ancelotti on his milestone game, Madrid regained their composure to get over the line.

Data Debrief: Madrid close in on Barca record

It is now 39 games unbeaten for Madrid in LaLiga. They are just the second team in the history of the competition to have such a long unbeaten run, after Barcelona in 2018 (43 games).

Ancelotti, meanwhile, was able to celebrate his landmark match in the end. He is just the second coach in Madrid history to oversee 300 matches in charge, after Migue Munoz.

The Italian has won 216 games, drawing 45 times and losing on 39 occasions.

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Matheus Nunes' first Manchester City goal proved the difference as Pep Guardiola's team beat Watford 2-1 to progress to the EFL Cup fourth round.

Tom Ince set up a nervy ending for the hosts at the Etihad Stadium, but Championship side Watford could not find a late equaliser to force a penalty shootout.

City got off to a quick start, helped by Ryan Porteous' loose backpass, as James McAtee pounced before Jack Grealish teed up Jeremy Doku for a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner after five minutes.

Kwadwo Baah thought he had equalised in the 21st minute, drilling his low shot into the far post, but he was penalised for a foul on debutant Kaden Braithwaite.

Rico Lewis then opened up Watford's defence with a driving run before laying it off to Nunes, whose low effort crept past Jonathan Bond to double City's lead before the break.

Ince cleared Savinho's effort off the line before the Brazilian also struck the inside of the post as City searched for a second, while Bond made impressive stops to deny Nunes and Grealish.

Yet it was Watford who struck next - Ince bending a lovely finish beyond Stefan Ortega, but the visitors failed to test City again after that.

Data Debrief: No end to the City hoodoo for Watford

It has been a while since these two sides last met following Watford's relegation from the Premier League, but City always enjoy facing them.

They have now won each of their last 16 matches against Watford in all competitions by an aggregate score of 60-9, while they have also been responsible for the Hornets' last seven domestic cup exits.

It was another dominant performance for the hosts, who had 24 shots overall, getting eight of those on target as they created an expected goals of 1.98 compared to Watford's 0.46.

Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick as Chelsea breezed into round four of the EFL Cup by emphatically brushing aside League Two leaders Barrow 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Standing in for the in-form Nicolas Jackson, Nkunku stole the show with two goals in the first half before rounding off his hat-trick in the 75th minute as the much-changed Blues ran riot on Tuesday.

Nkunku opened the floodgates in the eighth minute, with the France international flicking in a second before Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman turned into his own net.

Pedro Neto made it 4-0 straight after the break, tapping home from Mykhailo Mudryk's centre.

Barrow may be top of the pile in England’s fourth tier, but they managed just one shot on target as Nkunku added further gloss before going off with 15 minutes remaining.

While Barrow will reflect on their first EFL Cup third-round appearance since 1967-68, Chelsea will aim to keep up their early season momentum when they take on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Data Debrief: Deja vu

Before this game, the only previous meeting between Chelsea and Barrow in any competition was in the 1947-48 FA Cup third round – the Blues won 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

History repeated itself on Tuesday, as Chelsea (who mustered 3.0 xG to Barrow's 0.3) made it seven wins from their last seven EFL Cup ties against teams from the fourth tier. Job done in comfortable fashion for Enzo Maresca.