FA Cup round up: City destroys Chelsea, Stevenage shocks Villa

Good company! Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden celebrate after helping City past Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday. City won 4-0. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Riyad Mahrez’s run against Chelsea continued on Sunday as the Algerian helped City past the Blues at the Etihad Stadium in a 4-0 rout, prompting chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” by the visiting fans directed at manager Graham Potter.

Mason Mount recovered in time to make the fixture while two new signings, David Fofana and Benoit Badiashile watched on from the bench as they prepared to make their respective debuts against Manchester who last won the FA Cup in 2019.

City dominated from the start and 23 minutes into the game, Mahrez fired home the opener. In a rampaging fifteen minutes spell, City scored three times; Julian Alvarez converted from the spot after Kai Havertz handled in the area and Phil Foden got on the end of a team move to make it 3-0 afterward.

Chelsea offered absolutely nothing to threaten the hosts and to the surprise of many, it was the leading team that started the second half on fire. Like they did in the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in midweek, City dominated from start to finish and eventually added a fourth when Mahrez converted from the spot.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Aston Villa was shocked by League 1 side Stevenage with two late goals that canceled out Morgan Sanson’s opener which came shortly after the hour mark. Unai Emery’s side had their work cut out when Leander Dendoncker was sent off five minutes from time.

The visitors scored from the penalty spot to level and then scored the winner against Villa’s ten men one minute into added time through Dean Campbell. Stevenage has a rich history of killing giants in the FA Cup and Villa is just another victim.

Leeds United survived a scare to set up a rematch at Elland Road in a fortnight against Championship side Cardiff City. The hosts raced to a two first-half lead but surrendered the lead in the second half despite Rodrigo’s missed penalty.

Manchester City will play the winner between Oxford and Arsenal in the fourth round following a draw that was made on Sunday; the Gunners travel to play Oxford in the final game of the round and are expected to dump out the lower league side.