Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Chelsea (Emirates FA Cup third round)

Manchester City breezed into the fourth round of the FA Cup by comfortably dispatching an awful Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

City scraped a win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the week but, despite plenty of key players being rested, Sunday’s fixture was far more straightforward.

After a stunning Riyad Mahrez free-kick opened the scoring, Julian Alvarez added a second from the penalty spot when Kai Havertz handled the ball in his own box.

Phil Foden finished a sensational team move to give City a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

The second half was little other than comfortable for City, until Foden won a penalty in the final minutes to allow Mahrez to put some gloss on the scoreline.

Next up in the FA Cup for City is a home tie against either Arsenal or Oxford United, depending which of the two is victorious on Monday night.

Here’s how we rated the players…

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗! 👋✅ pic.twitter.com/bFWvEkPABY

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 8, 2023

Stefan Ortega – 6

To give you an idea of how quiet Stefan Ortega’s first half was, Chelsea’s xG at the interval was 0. The few things he was asked to do were done well.

Kyle Walker – 7

It was good to see Walker looking sharp today, with his overlapping run and cross crucial to creating what I’ll henceforth be referring to as The Foden Goal™.

Walker roaming forward has become increasingly rare in recent years, so this game was something of a nice throwback.

This is Manchester City at our very best! 🤯⚽️ @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/cY7YLMl2Ey

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 8, 2023

Manuel Akanji – 6

For the vast majority of the game, all Manuel had to do was stand at the back, pass smartly and look imposing. That said, he did everything well when called upon. Chelsea just didn’t challenge him very often.

Aymeric Laporte – 6

See above – not one of his busiest days at the office, but I’m not harsh enough to mark someone down just because the opposition weren’t very good. Great with his feet as per usual.

Sergio Gomez – 6

Showed some exciting attacking spark, including in the build-up to The Foden Goal™. Clearly at his best when given license to run at the opposition.

Rodri – 7

Predictably excellent, barely putting a foot wrong and even getting the chance to show off his cross-field passes. Also a key player in The Foden Goal™.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Plenty of energy and physical presence in midfield against Chelsea, winning the ball back plenty of times while still not quite looking at his best going forward.

Phil Foden – 7

Popped up in the box to prod home The Foden Goal™, which is incidentally where The Foden Goal™ got its name.

People often forget that Phil was a midfielder long before Pep convinced us he was a winger, so it was no surprise to see the academy product look good there against Chelsea. Won the penalty to make it four as well.

Riyad Mahrez – 8 (Man of the Match)

His absurdly good free kick was the catalyst for the victory, bending it beautifully past Kepa to score one of the best City goals of the season.

Then, with a few minutes left on the clock, he smashed home an excellent penalty to wrap up the win. It seems that the Algerian is hitting form at the perfect time.

Cole Palmer – 6

Didn’t come off for Cole today, and there were several early opportunities he’ll know he should have done better with. The talent is clearly there, but he’ll be as eager as anyone to start converting those chances sooner rather than later. Not being played on the left would be a great start.

Julian Alvarez – 7

It was great to see the Argentine back in City’s starting XI, working hard and reminding us what a livewire he can be. The #19 tucked away his penalty with plenty of confidence – and with the World Cup he’s just had, who wouldn’t be confident?

Substitutes:

Kalvin Phillips – 6

Arrived just before the hour mark and acquitted himself well.

Joao Cancelo – 6

Slotted into the left-back slot and looked good. Definitely time for Pep to stop experimenting with the fullback positions and go back to what’s proven to work (plus Rico Lewis, of course). Picked up an unnecessary booking late on.

Rico Lewis – N/A

Subbed on to pick up yet another appearance, in midfield no less, but didn’t really have time to do anything.