Manchester City crush Chelsea in FA Cup, Aston Villa upset by Stevenage | Football News

LONDON: Manchester City propelled to a second victory against struggling players chelsea in the space of four days as Riyad Mahrez inspired a 4-0 rout in the FA Cup third round, while Aston Villa crashed out to a 2-1 loss to fourth tier Stevenage on Sunday.
After Premier League sides Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were humiliated by lower league opposition on Saturday, Unai Emery’s Villa were rocked by Stevenage’s two-goal outburst in the final minutes.
Premier League champions City rarely suffer such humiliation and they got off to the best possible start by ousting Chelsea with contemptuous ease at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola made seven changes for City who won 1-0 at Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday.
But City were still far too dynamic for struggling Chelsea as Mahrez struck with a brilliant 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 had already knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup this season and the west London club’s first FA Cup third round exit since 1998 was another blow to a season that was in danger of spiraling out of control.
Although it is likely too early for Chelsea boss Graham Potter to fear sacking, just four months after arriving from Brighton to replace Thomas Tuchel, the 47-year-old could be having a few sleepless nights as he debate with his dismal form of the team.
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 places the club’s American owners would surely have expected Potter to deliver.
Potter will have taken little comfort from the sound of Chelsea fans chanting Tuchel’s name as they long for the German who led them to Champions League glory in 2021.
Given Chelsea’s predicament, it was curious that Potter opted to make six changes, with Bashir Humphreys given his debut and compatriot Lewis Hall also starting.
Mahrez took advantage of Potter’s selection gamble when he drew a reckless foul from Hall in the 23rd minute.

The Algerian winger had scored the winning goal against Chelsea on Thursday and this time he bent a superb free-kick into the top corner 25 yards out.
City’s second goal was a gift from Chelsea striker Kai Havertz, who kicked the ball in as he challenged Aymeric Laporte for a corner.
Alvarez netted the 30th-minute penalty past Kepa Arrizabalaga despite the Chelsea keeper’s attempt to distract the Argentine World Cup winner by talking to him before the kick.

Chelsea were torn and Foden scored the third goal in the 38th minute, the England striker finishing off Kyle Walker’s cross after Mahrez’s pass troubled the visitors to shreds.
Beaten in the last three FA Cup finals, Chelsea’s misery was deepened in the 85th minute when Mahrez scored from the spot after Kalidou Koulibaly fouled Foden.
Villa boss Unai Emery made eight changes against Stevenage and the current second-placed side 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 celebrations from Stevenage in the 90th minute when he struck 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 shocked by first-half goals from Jayden Philogene-Bidace and Sheyi Ojo.
Rodrigo collected one in the 65th minute and then missed a penalty after Cardiff’s Joel Bagan was sent off for handling on the line.
With seconds remaining, Sonny Perkins spared Rodrigo’s blushes as the 18-year-old substitute scored from close range to force a replay.