Chelsea FC 5-1 Manchester City: Five Talking Points

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21 : Chelsea celebrate after Eden Hazard of Chelsea scores to make it 4-1 as a dejected Manchester City team walk behind them during the Emirates FA Cup match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /

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Manchester City’s Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho (L) vies with Chelsea’s Spanish midfielder Pedro during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on February 21, 2016. / AFP / GLYN KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) /

2. Chelsea With Another Slow Start

One of the disappointing trends during this campaign has been the slow starts during games in which it would seem beneficial to push on right from the start. With City playing such a young side, it seemed as if the match was set up for Chelsea’s senior players to take control from the beginning.

However, the visitors would be having none of that, as they played a free and open game, giving Chelsea warning signs they’d be looking to attack. Pellegrini opted to use two strikers and Kelechi Iheanacho always looked a threat up front.

Eventually Chelsea would settle in and start to see most of the ball, but that was not until roughly 20-25 minutes into the game. Fortunately for Blues fans, City weren’t able to get on the scoreboard during this lapse, but it will be crucial moving forward to start games more positively, especially those in which Chelsea are the favorites.

Next: 3. Costa Continues Solid Form

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