Manchester City booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a routine victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
It was a far cry from what has traditionally been a highly competitive meeting between the two Premier League giants as City settled into a tie with either Oxford United or Arsenal in the next round by the break.
City’s win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday was tough but a stroll, with Riyad Mahrez putting them on their way with a superb 23rd-minute free-kick, before World Cup winner Julian Alvarez scored. Seven minutes later scored the second goal from this spot. After a handball by Kai Howertz.
Phil Foden scored City’s third after 38 minutes, turning in Kyle Walker’s cross as he was played in by Thursday’s match-winner Mahrez, who scored his second from the spot after Kalidou Koulibaly Foden was tied to the floor in a haphazard fashion.
It was a doomsday for Chelsea, boss Graham Potter and his traveling support, who chanted the name of Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel, sacked by new owner Todd Bohly in September.
Chelsea fans turn the heat on Potter.
Chelsea supporters gave their team a warm welcome at the end of Thursday’s narrow Premier League defeat by City at Stamford Bridge but that was not the case here.
Potter’s team were booed at half-time and repeatedly by those who stayed until the end, with the manager chanting the name of his popular predecessor Tuchel to the discomfort of his own fans.
Chelsea’s lack of threat is also reflected in ironic shouts of “Shoot” every time they get close to goal and on rare occasions chants of “We’ve had a shot”. This may once again be a club in transition but this display was under any circumstances abysmal.
Manager Potter has been wrestling with an injury crisis but there was no excuse for this dreadful performance. Chelsea have plenty of experience in their squad with players like Mateo Kovac, Koulibaly, Havertz, Mason Mount, Jorginho, Hakeem Zech and Kiper Kepa.
Chelsea lacked fight, quality and conviction, which is a worrying sight for a manager so early in his tenure and, given the spending spree this season, boss Bohley has had since his arrival. by, in a somewhat fragmented manner.
They have now both been knocked out of the domestic cup by City and are 10 points off the Champions League places in the Premier League. Chelsea will face Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the Champions League and if they perform like this, they will be out there as well.
Tough times for Chelsea and manager Potter.
Man City make it easy
After easily seeing off Chelsea in the first 45 minutes, Manchester City barely broke a sweat in the second half, underscoring the gulf in class between the teams.
Pep Guardiola managed to rest goal machine Erling Haaland but was replaced by Argentina’s World Cup hero Alvarez, while Foden once again got the chance to remind everyone how big he is in Manchester City’s future. Will play a role.
City’s third goal was a marvel of passing and movement, Foden parrying contact between Mahrez and Walker, a fist pump and smile of delight from Guardiola confirming he would have loved to see his side playing. Is.
It’s been a satisfying few days for Manchester City as they close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to five points – and they could face the Gunners again in the FA Cup fourth round unless League One Oxford United cannot surprise Kassam. Stadium on Monday.
