Manchester City secured their second win over troubled Chelsea in four days as Riyad Mahrez inspired a 4-0 defeat in the FA Cup third round, while Aston Villa lost 2-1 against fourth-tier Stevenage on Sunday.
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After Premier League clubs Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were humiliated by lower league opposition on Saturday, Unai Emery’s Villa were rocked by Stevenage’s two-goal blast in the last minute.
Premier League champions City rarely suffer humiliation and they made their strongest start yet by easily eliminating Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola made seven changes from the City side that won 1-0 at Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday.
But City were still too dynamic for a struggling Chelsea as Mahrez struck with a fine free-kick and a late penalty, with Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden also scoring.
In the fourth round, City will host Premier League leaders Arsenal or third-tier Oxford, who meet on Monday.
City have knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup this season and the west London club’s FA Cup third-round exit since 1998 is another blow to a season that has been dangerously out of control.
Although it is too early for Chelsea boss Graham Potter to fear the sack, just four months after arriving from Brighton to replace the axed Thomas Tuchel, the 47-year-old may not be able to sleep a few nights as he struggles with him. team’s woeful form.
Chelsea have won just three of their last 12 games in all competitions and sit 10th in the Premier League, 10 points off the top four where the American club’s owners will surely expect Potter to deliver.
Potter will hardly be comfortable with the sound of Chelsea fans chanting Tuchel’s name as he cheers for the German to lead them to the Champions League title in 2021.
Because of Chelsea’s predicament it is curious that Potter is chosen to make six changes, with Bashir Humphreys given his debut and fellow teenager Lewis Hall also starts.
Mahrez took advantage of Potter’s selection gamble when he drew a foul from Hall in the 23rd minute.
The Algerian winger scored the winner against Chelsea on Thursday and this time he curled a superb free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards.
-bad Chelsea-
City’s second goal was a gift from Chelsea striker Kai Havertz, who headed the ball in when challenging Aymeric Laporte for a corner.
Alvarez slotted a 30th-minute penalty past Kepa Arrizabalaga despite the Chelsea goalkeeper trying to distract the Argentine World Cup winner by talking to him before the kick.
Chelsea collapsed and Foden scored his third goal in the 38th minute, the England striker finishing off Kyle Walker’s cross after Mahrez’s pass had put the boisterous visitors away.
Defeated in the last three FA Cup finals, Chelsea’s woes were compounded in the 85th minute as Mahrez scored from the spot after Kalidou Koulibaly fouled Foden.
Villa boss Unai Emery made eight changes against Stevenage and the side who are currently second in League Two made the Spaniard pay for his decision.
Morgan Sanson put Villa ahead in the 33rd minute but Jamie Reid equalized with an 88th minute penalty after Leander Dendoncker was sent off for a foul on Dean Campbell.
And Campbell sparked wild Stevenage celebrations in the 90th minute when he smashed home from a short corner.
Leeds were lucky to avoid embarrassment after escaping with a dramatic 2-2 draw at second-tier Cardiff.
Jesse Marsch’s side were stunned by first half goals from Jayden Philogene-Bidace and Sheyi Ojo.
Rodrigo got one back in the 65th minute, then missed a penalty after Cardiff’s Joel Bagan was sent off for a tackle on the line.
Just seconds later, Sonny Perkins saved Rodrigo as the 18-year-old substitute scored from close range to force a replay.