Manchester City go through to the round after beating Chelsea in a duel that has been dominated from start to finish by the locals. The “blues” and Potter are very touched.
First Part
The referee whistled the start of the match and Manchester City took possession of the ball. From the beginning several very interesting positional modifications were observed in both sets. Palmer playing as a left winger and Foden as an insider for Manchester City; while the young youth player Humphreys accompanies Koulibaly in the axis of the defense, displacing Chalobah to the right-back.
The minutes passed and the locals continued to dominate possession against a Chelsea with the lines very close together and advanced, waiting for the rival’s mistake. The first chance of danger came in the 19th minute, a one-on-one between Palmer and Kepa who ended up missing the side of the net due to the intervention with the foot of the Basque goalkeeper.
The first goal of the game came in minute 23. Another genius from Mahrez from set pieces from the right-footed profile that broke all the cobwebs on the left corner of the goal defended by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Superb goal very similar to the one scored by the Algerian winger in the last cup duel between the two.
The bad news would not stop for Chelsea. Havertz would touch with his hand an attempt to clear a corner that would lead to a penalty in favor of the “cityzens”. Julián Álvarez, in minute 30, would make it 2-0 from eleven meters. Very bad image of Graham Potter’s pupils in the first half hour of play.
The third goal was not long in coming and Foden made it 3-0 in the 39th minute. Mahrez receives, who once again beats Hall with a pass to Walker. The English winger sends the ball back for his compatriot to define at will. A very fair momentary victory that perfectly defines the bad moment that the “blue” team is going through.
Rest at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City overwhelms Chelsea in a first half that has been one of the worst for the London team in recent years. There has only been one team on the pitch and it is the “sky blue”.
Second Part
Graham Potter was looking for the reaction of the team with him making a double substitution, Zakaria and David Fofana substituting for Kovacic and Havertz. Therefore, the first minutes of the Ivorian Fofana in the Chelsea shirt, a player with an attacking profile who has scored big numbers in Norway.
The second part would begin and Chelsea would improve their offensive performance. Mount would get the first shot on goal for the visitors, although Ortega would send the leather for a corner kick.
Defensive recital by Manuel Akanji, the Swiss central defender has unhinged the “blues” attackers with his anticipations in the first hour of the game and the null arrivals of the rival cannot be understood without his great performance.
The visiting team would change the system to a 3-4-3 with the entries of Azpilicueta and Hutchinson onto the pitch. The Navarrese occupies the right lane and Chalobah moves to the line of three centrals. Hutchinson, accompany Mount and Fofana in attack.
Chelsea would seek to cut the result with high and intense pressure in the rival field, but Pep Guardiola’s pupils do not make mistakes in any sector of the field. The fourth goal for the locals would come in the 85th minute, another goal by Mahrez, this time from eleven meters, after a defensive error by Koulibaly on Foden that would end in a maximum penalty.
The clash ends at the Etihad Stadium. A comfortable victory for Manchester City that eliminates a “blue” team that leaves for London very damaged from the map. Graham Potter very marked and with his future up in the air.
Next Matches
The locals will travel to the south of England to visit Southampton, the current bottom club in the Premier League, at St Mary’s Stadium. Carabao Cup quarterfinal match to be played next Wednesday, January 11 at 9:00 p.m. Spanish time.
Chelsea will play the West London Derby at Craven Cottage against a Fulham that is being one of the revelation teams of the season. Duel belonging to day 7 of the Premier League that will be played next Thursday, January 12 at 9:00 p.m. Spanish time.
This article is originally published on mdfutbol.com
