BREAKING: #Potter Under Pressure As Manchester City Demolish #Chelsea – #MCICHE—-Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Manchester City walloped Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium to progress to the next round.
City took the lead after Mahrez curled a delicious free-kick past Kepa Arrizabalaga who was helpless in goal.
The Citizens grabbed the second after Kai Havertz handled the ball in the box. Argentine striker, Julian Alvarez stepped up and converted.
Phil Foden scored third for City before Mahrez second his second of the evening by scoring from the spot after a foul by Kalidou Koulibaly.
Pep Guardiola’s home team dominated from the off and deservedly took the lead on 23 minutes when Mahrez curled home a majestic 25-yard free kick.
Julian Alvarez then made it two from the penalty spot on the half hour mark after VAR had intervened to alert the referee to a handball by Kai Havertz.
Chelsea’s shoulders clearly slumped after that and City all-but wrapped up victory eight minutes later when Phil Foden finished off a lovely, well-worked move.
Graham Potter brought on new signing David Datro Fofana for his debut at the break and tinkered with his system but it did little to change the flow of the game as the hosts continued to dictate the tempo despite easing back into ‘game-management’ mode.
The Citizens then put the icing on the cake five minutes from time when Mahrez netted his second goal of the game from the spot to set up a fourth round tie at home to Oxford or Arsenal.
Next up, City visit Southampton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday before taking on neighbours Man United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday. Chelsea have a trip to Fulham in the league on Thursday.
More to follow.
