Manchester City eliminated Chelsea at the first exchange with a comfortable win, which reflects the distance between the two teams. Riyad Mahrez, one of the brightest, opened and closed the scoring. Julián Álvarez and Phil Foden also scored to carry on in the oldest club cup competition in the world. Pep Guardiola has never lost in a cup debut, and his team are already in the fourth round of the FA Cup. There they will meet the winner of the tie between Oxford City and Arsenal, which will be played on Monday night.
18 months ago, Manchester City and Chelsea met in the Champions League final in Porto. The Londoners took the orejona to the English capital with a goal from Kai Havertz shortly before the break. A year and a half ago, the German attacker confirmed the commitment that the Stamford Bridge club made for him and for Thomas Tuchel. The Teutons had the task of returning the blue team to the front line, to exalt their aspirations. They ended up conquering Europe at the first opportunity. They kissed glory, subsequently got used to bitterness. Tuchel lost his position at the beginning of this course. Graham Potter took over, and kept his team unbeaten for nine games. He then went under. Especially in the Premier League standings, where he remains stuck in the middle of the table. They have fallen in the rest of the cup competitions.
Manchester City has been the executioner of Chelsea this season. Pep Guardiola’s men have crossed the path of the Londoners three times. They got out of the League Cup before the World Cup began, and in a space of three days they passed over them again. Both in the Premier League on Thursday, and on Sunday in the FA Cup. Casualties abounded at Stamford Bridge, but there is no excuse. Guardiola has increased the pressure on Potter. There was a lot of City, and little Chelsea. Leaving clear the distance that exists between both teams at the beginning of 2023.
The cityzens they decided the stake of the third round in little more than half an hour. They came out dominant, incisive, and after 23 minutes Riyad Mahrez put them ahead with a sublime direct free kick. From the front of the area, remote control to the squad. Guardiola rested Erling Haaland, and Julián Álvarez took the opportunity to score his seventh goal of the season. The world champion asked for it. He took responsibility from eleven meters in minute 30, and beat Kepa Arrizabalaga, despite the Basque’s intentions to win the psychological battle. Eight later, City put the finishing touch with an excellent play. Collective. With Kyle Walker starting the action with some good footwork and a better change of direction. The Spaniards Sergio Gómez and Rodrigo combined, while Walker accompanied the play on the right wing. The Englishman assisted and his compatriot Phil Foden did the rest, that is, he pushed the ball into the net. A real goal.
Potter wanted to react then. After the break he offered David Datro Fofana a day after the announcement of his signing. Neither the young Norwegian striker nor Denis Zakaria changed the face of a harmless Chelsea. He lacks troops, also mordant. And they fell to the first exchange in the FA Cup for the first time in 25 years. It was too comfortable for Manchester City, who even found an opportunity to further extend their lead. Mahrez put the icing on the cake with a penalty five minutes from time.