English Football
Potter under pressure as Man City thrash Chelsea
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.
Chelsea fans turn up heat on Potter
Chelsea’s supporters gave their team a sympathetic reception at the end of Thursday’s narrow Premier League defeat by City at Stamford Bridge but this was not the case here.
Potter’s team were roundly booed at half-time and again by those who stayed until the end, with the manager hearing the uncomfortable sound of his own fans singing the name of his popular predecessor Tuchel.
Chelsea’s lack of threat was also reflected in ironic shouts of “shoot” every time they got near goal and chants of “we’ve had a shot” on the rare occasions they did. This may be a club in transition once again but this display was abject under any circumstances.
Manager Potter is wrestling with an injury crisis but there was no excuse for this dreadful performance. Chelsea’s side contained plenty of experience with players such as Mateo Kovacic, Koulibaly, Havertz, Mason Mount, Jorginho, Hakim Ziyech and keeper Kepa.
Graham Potter’s Chelsea side did not register a single shot in the first half of their FA Cup defeat at Manchester City
Chelsea lacked fight, quality and belief, an alarming sight for a manager so early in his reign and given the spending lavished on this season, admittedly in a somewhat scattergun fashion, by owner Boehly since his arrival.
They have now been knocked out of both domestic cups by City and stand 10 points off the Champions League places in the Premier League. Chelsea face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last-16 and if they perform like this they will also be knocked out there.
Troubled times for Chelsea and manager Potter.
Man City make it look easy
Manchester City strolled through the second half barely breaking sweat after smoothly putting Chelsea away in the first 45 minutes, underlining the gulf in class between the teams.
Pep Guardiola was able to rest goal machine Erling Haaland but replaced him with Argentina World Cup hero Alvarez, while Foden got his chance to remind everyone once again what a huge part he will play in Manchester City’s future.
City’s third goal was passing and movement perfection, Foden rounding off the link between Mahrez and Walker, the fist pumps and smile of delight from Guardiola confirming this is exactly how he likes to see his side playing.
This has been a satisfying few days for Manchester City as they closed the gap on leaders Arsenal in the league to five points – and they may face the Gunners again in the FA Cup fourth round unless League One Oxford United can spring a surprise at the Kassam Stadium on Monday.
