Chelsea manager Graham Potter’s injury-plagued side is in 10th position in the Premier League and has already been eliminated from both competitions, having lost to City in the League Cup in November.
Same result, different competition. Manchester City defeated Chelsea for the second time in three days, this time in the FA Cup. And it was a 4-0 battering without the need for Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne.
City’s top two players were rested following the 1-0 Premier League win over Chelsea on Thursday, but they weren’t really missed, with Riyad Mahrez, Julián lvarez, and Phil Foden scoring first-half goals and Mahrez adding another late in a third-round victory.
In the world’s oldest knockout tournament, City will face a team that is expected to represent its strongest danger to the Premier League title defence. If Arsenal defeats third-tier Oxford United on Monday, it will advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup, where it will face second-placed Manchester City.
On Thursday, Mahrez scored the sole goal in the sides’ league meeting at Stamford Bridge. While the previous goal was a tap-in, the cup goal was a curling strike from a direct free kick that flew into the top corner in the 23rd minute.
lvarez, making his first appearance for City since Argentina’s World Cup victory, converted a penalty in the 30th minute after Chelsea forward Kai Havertz bizarrely chose to lead with his left arm as he attempted a headed clearance at a corner and only succeeded in punching the ball away, resulting in a spot kick.
Foden completed a three-goal frenzy in 15 minutes at the Etihad when he finished a beautiful team move featuring Rodri, Mahrez, and finally Kyle Walker, who surged upfield to send a cross for Foden.
After Foden was pushed over by Kalidou Koulibaly, Mahrez netted his second penalty in the 85th minute.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter’s injury-plagued side is in 10th position in the Premier League and has already been eliminated from both competitions, having lost to City in the League Cup in November.
City is still chasing titles in all four categories and faces Southampton in the League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Aston Villa fell down twice in the 88th minute and was defeated 2-1 at home by fourth-tier Stevenage in what was likely the biggest upset of the third round.
Villa were leading courtesy to Morgan Sanson’s 33rd-minute strike until Leander Dendoncker was sent off in the 85th minute for a professional foul that awarded Stevenage a penalty.
