Last Update: January 09, 2023, 00:24 IST
Manchester City beat Chelsea in the FA Cup (Twitter)
Riyad Mahrez struck twice while Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez scored one each as Manchester City knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup in the third round of the tournament.
Manchester City secured a second win against crisis-hit Chelsea inside four days as Riyad Mahrez inspired a 4-0 defeat in the third round of the FA Cup, while Aston Villa won 2-1 against fourth-tier Stevenage on Sunday. Got Defeated.
After Premier League teams Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were humiliated by lower league opposition on Saturday, Unai Emery’s Villa were rocked by a two-goal blast from Stevenage in the final minutes.
Premier League champions City rarely suffer such humiliation and made the strongest of starts by dismissing Chelsea with contemptuous ease at the Etihad Stadium.
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Pep Guardiola made seven changes to the City side that won 1-0 at Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday.
But City were still too dynamic for Chelsea to contend with as Mahrez scored with a superb free-kick and a late penalty, along with Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden.
In the fourth round, City will host Premier League leaders Arsenal or third-tier Oxford, who meet on Monday.
City had already knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup this season and the West London club’s first FA Cup third round exit since 1998 was another blow to a season in danger of spiraling out of control.
Although it is probably too early for Chelsea boss Graham Potter to fear the sack, just four months after arriving from Brighton to replace axed Thomas Tuchel, the 47-year-old may be having some sleepless nights as he struggles with his The poor form of the team wrestles
Chelsea have won just three of their last 12 games in all competitions and lie 10th in the Premier League, a position 10 points behind the top four places that the club’s American owners would surely have expected from Potter .
Potter will hardly be comforted by the sound of Chelsea fans chanting Tuchel’s name as they pine for the German who led them to Champions League glory in 2021.
Given Chelsea’s plight it was curious that Potter elected to make six changes, with Bashir Humphreys making his debut and fellow teenager Lewis Hall also starting.
Mahrez took advantage of Potter’s selection gamble when he drew a foul on Hall in the 23rd minute.
The Algerian winger scored the winner against Chelsea on Thursday, this time with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner.
City’s second goal was a gift from Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, who punched the ball in after challenging Aymeric Laporte for a corner.
Alvarez converted a penalty to Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 30th minute after the Chelsea keeper tried to deflect the Argentine’s attention. World Cup winner by talking to him before kick off.
Chelsea were breaking down and Foden struck a third in the 38th minute, the England forward finishing Kyle Walker’s cross, followed by Mahrez’s pass to the ragged visitors.
Defeated in the previous three FA Cup finals, Chelsea’s misery was compounded in the 85th minute as Mahrez scored from the spot after Foden was fouled by Kalidou Coulibaly.
Villa boss Unai Emery made eight changes against Stevenage and the team, currently second in League Two, paid the Spaniard for his decision.
Morgan Sanson put Villa ahead in the 33rd minute but Jamie Reid equalized with an 88th-minute penalty after Leander Dendonker was sent off for fouling Dean Campbell.
And Campbell set off a wild Stevenage celebration in the 90th minute when he smashed home from a short corner.
Leeds were lucky to avoid embarrassment after a dramatic 2–2 draw at second-division Cardiff.
Jesse Marsh’s side were shocked by first-half goals from Jayden Philogene-Bidace and Sheyi Ojo.
Rodrigo got one back in the 65th minute, then missed a penalty after Cardiff’s Joel Bagan was sent off for handling on the line.
With just seconds left, Sonny Perkins spared Rodrigo’s blushes as the 18-year-old substitute forced a replay from close-range.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)