Manchester City’s 4-0 triumph against Chelsea in the FA Cup third round piled the pressure on Blues manager Graham Potter, who had already lost to City twice in four days with the we’ve got super Tommy Tuchel chant once again resonating in the stadium
At halftime, City led 3-0 after a spectacular free-kick from Riyad Mahrez, a penalty shot from Julian Alvarez, and a tremendous team goal from Phil Foden. Late in the game, Mahrez scored his second goal of the game and City’s fourth goal from the penalty spot to further widen the gap.
“We’ve got super Tommy Tuchel,” irate Chelsea fans burst into chant for ex-manager, video goes viral
“We’ve got Super Tommy Tuchel" 💙pic.twitter.com/WLQQOyJl5G
— Chelsea FC FR (@ChelseaFCFRA) January 8, 2023
“Weve got Super Tommy Tuchel” chants from the away end 💀 pic.twitter.com/XvheKA4oIE
— CarefreeLewisG (@CarefreeLewisG) January 8, 2023
The outcome increases the pressure on Potter, who was only appointed in September. As of this writing, Chelsea have lost six of their last nine matches across all competitions, and they haven’t won on the road since beating Red Bull Salzburg back in October.
Mahrez scored the game-winning goal in the Premier League matchup between these two teams on Thursday, and he did the same thing here. His right-wing corner free kick sailed past Kepa Arrizabalaga’s diving save attempt and into the top corner.
Since there wasn’t much Chelsea could do to prevent that, the second was entirely her own doing. When clearing a corner near the near post, Kai Havertz’s hand led the way, and the video assistant referee couldn’t overlook it. Against Kepa, Alvarez started for the first time since Argentina’s World Cup victory and came within inches of scoring.
Activated by Kyle Walker’s deception, the team quickly moved the ball around with Foden and Rodri trading flicks until Mahrez spotted Walker’s overlapping run and set up Foden for an easy tap-in. This City team scored a goal that exemplified their greatest efforts.
Kalidou gets penalty
The game slowed down after that, but another brilliant play resulted in a goal when Kalidou Koulibaly carelessly brought Foden to the ground and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty. Mahrez finished it off by slamming the ball high into the net.
It could be argued that Manchester City plays better as a unit when Alvarez makes these selfless runs up front, rather than when Erling Haaland, the team’s prolific striker, stands there hammering in goals by himself. In either case, it’s an ideal predicament in which Potter may thrive.
Parts of the 8,000-strong away support shouted the name of the club’s now-deceased owner, Roman Abramovich, and chanted the name of his predecessor, Thomas Tuchel, throughout the second half. Things at Chelsea are not what they seem. Man City continues to power forward.
What is next for Manchester City?
On Wednesday at 8 p.m., Manchester City will travel to face Southampton in the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup, which will be shown live on Sky Sports. Then, on Saturday at 12.30 p.m., Pep Guardiola’s men take on Manchester United in a Premier League matchup in the city across town.
On Thursday night at 8 o’clock, Chelsea will travel to take on Fulham, a local rival in west London’s Premier League. On Sunday at 2pm, the Blues will be hosting Crystal Palace in another Premier League matchup.
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