Playing Manchester City already for the third time this season, Chelsea visited the Etihad for the FA Cup Third Round facing somewhat of an impossible task of progressing to the next round. And the task did turn out to be impossible as the home side embarrassed the Blues 4-0.
Throughout the first half, the visitors couldn’t even register an attempt on goal and were poor in every aspect of the game. Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring for Man City with an exquisite free kick in the 23rd minute. And just seven minutes later City doubled their lead as Kai Havertz conceded a penalty while defending a corner which was confirmed by VAR and converted by Julian Alvarez. Not long after that the home side tripled their lead through a great team goal which was finished by Phil Foden in the 38th minute to all but confirm Chelsea’s exit from the competition.
In the second half, CFC did gradually improve as the substitutions came on and brought in some much needed physicality in the midfield and pace up front with David Fofana given his Blues debut. But towards the end of the game, Koulibaly conceded the second penalty of the match after a pathetic tackle on Phil Foden. Mahrez converted the penalty to put an end to Chelsea’s misery.