MAN CITY 4, CHELSEA 0
Manchester City second victory against Chelsea in four days was a walk in the park and achieved without needing to call upon Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne.
They were two of the big-hitters held in reserve on the bench as City, despite the absence of their considerable firepower, still put four goals past injury-hit and hapless Chelsea in this Emirates FA Cup, third-round tie.
There were two goals from Riyad Mahrez – that’s four goals in three games against Chelsea this season – and one apiece for Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden as City booked a home tie against either Oxford United or Arsenal.
Mahrez, who came off the bench to net the winner in the Premier League win at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, was in scintillating form while other lesser-used squad players also stepped up to the plate.
And manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the “incredible hunger” of his players to win the ball, something they continue to do after six or seven years.
Embed from Getty ImagesGuardiola added players who don’t do that cannot complain if they lose their places if they fail to play to this level.
“Everyone is humble to accept the minutes they play and are happy to be part of this fantastic club,” he said.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter admitted his side was second best to a very good side as pressure intensifies on his position as they lie 10th in the Premier League.
And the 7,000 travelling fans vented their frustration with chants for previous manager Thomas Tuchel to be reinstated.
“We are not in a good moment ourselves and were not good enough. We have to stick together as a football club,” he said.
“It is not easy, and City are the worst opponent when you are not playing well.”
Guardiola gave the likes of Haaland and De Bruyne a place on the bench after his side secured a 1-0 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Thursday.
Midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who Guardiola said had “improved his level” following criticism about his fitness, was also among the substitutes again.
Chelsea boss Potter was dealing with an injury to his squad but new signing Benoit Badiashile wasn’t thrown into his starting line-up straightaway.
The £35 million defender, signed from Monaco, was on the bench along with 20-year-old Ivory Coast striker David Datro Fofana who had been captured from Norwegian club Molde.
Midfielder Mason Mount returned after picking up a knock in training.
There was one minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of Gianluca Vialli, the former Chelsea player and manager, who died days earlier following a battle against pancreatic cancer.
It took the best part of 20 minutes for the first chance of the game to be created when Cole Palmer was put through on goal but the youngster shot into the side netting.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute through a spectacular free kick from Mahrez.
Algerian Mahrez was fouled by Lewis Hall about 28 yards out and picked himself up before bending his shot over the defensive wall and into the top corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
And it got worse for Chelsea when they conceded a penalty after half an hour, Kai Havertz clearly handling from a corner as he was challenged by Aymeric Laporte. It was awarded following a VAR check with referee Robert Jones sent to the pitch side monitor.
With regular penalty take Haaland on the bench, Alvarez took the kick, though Arrizabalaga almost kept it out. It was his eighth of the season for City in his debut campaign.
City added a third seven minutes before the break following a stunning move.
Rodri’s cross-field pass released Mahrez on the right. He fed Kyle Walker on an overlap and he crossed for Foden to side-foot home from six yards, his ninth goal of the campaign.
Chelsea, who made two changes at the break, created their first goal attempt of the game 10 minutes into the second half when Mason Mount’s shot was tipped around the post by Stefan Ortega.
City made their first two substitutions just short of the hour when Rodri, who had just been booked, and Sergio Gomez were replaced by Phillips and Joao Cancelo.
The second half lacked the intensity of the opening period as City were so far ahead.
They still created the odd chance with Mahrez seeing a shot flash past the upright.
City added a fourth goal with five minutes left when Mahrez scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot after Foden was tripped by Kalidou Koulibaly.
Despite his poor recent record from the spot, Mahrez was afforded another opportunity and made no mistake this time.