Sometimes making history is not a byproduct of achievement but a sign of failure. As Chelsea lost to Manchester City for second time in four days they passed out FA Cup At the first hurdle for the first time in a quarter of a century. They had not been knocked out of both domestic cups since the 1980s before 9 January and, for all intents and purposes, they were eliminated before half-time. They beat City in the Champions League final 19 months ago, but after five defeats in seven games, it feels like another era.
Last year’s runners-up, Chelsea have a habit of losing FA Cup finals but not third round matches. The last time they went out at this stage, the late Gianluca Vialli scored twice. There was no such power here.
In relation to Graham PotterChelsea’s dominating exit came as a complete surprise and was sealed with three goals in 16 minutes, courtesy a combination of an unforced error and City’s talent. Some of his fans walked out at half-time; Those who stayed showed their discontent against the new regime. Meanwhile, City reach the fourth round where arsenal could wait, He should be given a tougher test than Chelsea.
If Potter can feel unlucky himself, and City’s away defeat in both cups certainly makes it harder to secure silverware, Pep Guardiola will have done him a favor when he collects the teamsheet. But if Potter is relieved, Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne are rested, Riyad Mahrez, who has been playing the role of Chelsea’s scourge, scored twice instead. Julián Álvarez doubled the lead on his first start since the World Cup final. Phil Foden also put in a great performance. In the second half, City only extended their lead with a Mahrez spot kick. Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea lost 6-0 here and with Guardiola and his charges in need, an identical scoreline looked possible.
Instead, he conserved energy, confident that a Chelsea team this soft, lacking any of the characteristics of a top team, would not return. Since the Champions League final, Chelsea have not scored in their five matches against City. He didn’t even have a shot until Mason Mount’s 55th-minute effort was deflected off the back of the post by Stefan Ortega. When substitute Omari Hutchinson directed the subsequent effort wide, Chelsea fans resorted to singing: “We have a shot.”
Potter tried a 4–2–2–2 formation, with Hakim Ziyech as a striker, but it would be difficult to make any gambit successful. City made more changes, seven compared to Chelsea’s six, but injuries are less of a factor at the Etihad Stadium and there was a patched-up look for Chelsea. Thiago Silva made a debut for 19-year-old centre-back Bashir Humphreys, replacing a man twice his age. He was spared a trial by Haaland and was largely exonerated, but with the possible exception of Hutchinson, it’s hard to argue anyone in the dark blue shirt played well,
Many did in light blue. City won at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, despite Guardiola’s poor team selection and a mediocre first half. A weak team yet made a strong start. Cole Palmer probably should have broken the impasse, although that didn’t matter given the lack of conviction in his effort.
Mahrez heads home with a superb free-kick in the first half
(PA)
Because, after scoring from two yards against Chelsea on Thursday, Mahrez found the net from 25. top corner. It maintained Mahrez’s 100 per cent record: he has featured in every City meeting with Chelsea this season.
Flash back to 2021 and Kai Havertz scored the Champions League final winner against City. His next contribution to a goal in their meetings was more scandalous as he prevented Aymeric Laporte from meeting Foden’s corner. Referee Robert Jones was advised to check it on the pitchside monitors. While Kepa Arrizabalaga got his hands on Alvarez’s penalty, he scored against Chelsea, as he had done on his previous start for City eight weeks and a World Cup ago.
Then, completing a brilliant team move, stand-in captain Kyle Walker proceeded to meet Mahrez’s pass and supplied a cutback and Foden came in on the sidefoot from six yards. Ineffectual against Chelsea three days earlier, he was more influential and a scorer in the rematch. Playing as a midfielder, a position he is expected to occupy more often in the future, Foden suggested he could have a good future in the centre.
After this, Mahrez might have extended the lead when he fired a shot wide and the clumsy Kalidou Coulibaly from the penalty spot tied the knot over Foden.
Meanwhile, Potter introduced changes, switching to a back three, giving a debut to David Datro Fofana, one of Chelsea’s three signings in a month, only eight days old. The former Molde forward didn’t get a chance, as it was the first time since he was a second division club that he didn’t score in an FA Cup campaign. And, such has been his slide, it was hardly a blow.