Man City 4-0 Chelsea (Mahrez 23′, pen 85′, Alvarez pen 30′, Foden 38′)
Manchester City could be set for a showdown with Premier League title rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round after easing past an injury-hit and demoralised Chelsea at the Etihad.
The Gunners are in action against Oxford United on Monday and, while Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his side ahead of next Sunday’s north London derby, they will expect to progress to face City at the Etihad at the end of January.
City were made to work for their Premier League victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night – a result that moved them five points behind leaders Arsenal in the table – but enjoyed a far more pleasant afternoon in the comfort of their own home.
Riyad Mahrez was City’s match-winner in west London, tapping into an empty net from a Jack Grealish cross, and the Algerian set City on their way to another win over the Blues with a superbly taken free-kick.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was criticised for failing to claim Grealish’s cut-back in midweek but was powerless to prevent Mahrez’s sweetly struck effort from finding the top corner, which generated an extra burst of acceleration via a touch off Conor Gallagher.
Magic from Mahrez
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2023@Mahrez22 with an unbelievable free-kick for @ManCity
#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/UlirKf9lnL
Julian Alvarez, paraded in front of the City faithful with his World Cup medal around his neck before kick-off, then doubled City’s lead from the penalty spot after a moment of madness from Kai Havertz. The German punched the ball clear from a corner, and while given a temporary reprieve by referee Rob Jones, was never going to avoid punishment in the VAR era.
Tellingly, Havertz did not make it out for the second half, with a clearly unhappy Graham Potter replacing him with new recruit from Molde, David Datro Fofana. Havertz has evidently joined Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Potter’s naughty step, with the summer signing left out of the matchday squad altogether.
Although Kepa did his best to put Alvarez off, attempting to challenge his inner Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine squeezed his spot-kick in as City’s regular penalty taker Erling Haaland watched on from the bench.
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Rodri’s crossfield pass located Mahrez, who slipped a pass into the area for Kyle Walker to gallop onto and square, allowing Phil Foden to convert from inside the six-yard box. As mesmerising as the move was, Chelsea’s attempts at defending were passive at best, lazy at worst.
The @ManCity machine is ticking
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2023@PhilFoden finishes off a fantastic move
#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/foFcU7UdTY
“As good a goal that is from a Manchester City point of view, from Chelsea that is nowhere near good enough,” said Alan Shearer on BBC One at half-time. “There’s no energy, no tackles, nothing. You’ve got to get closer.”
The second half largely passed without incident until Kalidou Koulibaly handed City another chance to score from the penalty spot after tripping Foden. Mahrez, whose record from 12 yards has been patchy lately, lashed in his second of the game to pile further misery on Chelsea.
Player ratings
By George Simms
Man City: Ortega 6, Walker 7, Akanji 7, Laporte 7, Gomez 7, Rodri 7, Silva 7, Foden 8, Mahrez 9, Palmer 6, Alvarez 7
Subs: Cancelo 6, Phillips 7, Lewis N/A
Chelsea: Kepa 7, Chalobah 5, Koulibably 4, Humphreys 7, Hall 5, Jorginho 4, Kovacic 5, Mount 5, Ziyech 4, Gallagher 5, Havertz 3
Subs: Zakaria 7, D. Fofana 5, Azpilicueta 5, Hutchinson 6, Chukwuemeka 6
It was another chastening experience for Potter, who is coming under increased pressure following a run of three wins and six defeats in the last 12 games, despite only taking charge in September.
Potter and owner Todd Boehly, the man who has entrusted the former Brighton boss to oversee a rebuild in west London, had to endure the taunts of Chelsea’s away fans, who chanted the names of Thomas Tuchel and Roman Abramovich during the second half.
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