Riyad Mahrez rejects Phil Foden request during FA Cup win over Chelsea

Manchester City’s Phil Foden was denied the opportunity to score a second goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon, by teammate Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian international played an integral role in the Premier League champions knocking Chelsea out of domestic cup competitions for the second time this season, as City cruised to a 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Mahrez opened the scoring via a sublime long-range free-kick, before Julian Alvarez doubled Manchester City’s lead from the penalty spot – but only after the Argentine World Cup winner had requested to take the kick.

Phil Foden scored Manchester City’s third via a well-worked team move before half-time, leaving Riyad Mahrez to wrap up the goals in the final six minutes of the match through a second penalty.

Speaking to broadcast media after the match, Riyad Mahrez revealed that for both of Manchester City’s penalties against Chelsea, teammates approached him to request that he relinquished penalty taking duties in their favour.

“The first one Julián (Alvarez) asked me (if he could take it), and I said yes because I was thinking he’s a striker and it’s important for them to score – he just came back from the World Cup and it’s his first game as well, so I was thinking let him take the penalty and score,” Mahrez revealed.

He continued, as relayed by the Manchester Evening News, “I was thinking if I have a second one, I’ll take it and even Phil (Foden) when he asked me, I wanted to let him shoot but I was thinking I let Julián take the first one, so I had to take this one.

“Phil scored a goal, Julián scored, I scored – everyone was involved – that’s the most important.”

Riyad Mahrez and his Manchester City teammates have now set up an Emirates FA Cup fourth round tie against Premier League title challengers Arsenal later this month.

Mikel Arteta’s side made relatively hard work of a third round clash away to Oxford United, before three quick-fire second-half goals proved the Gunners’ quality, setting up a trip to the Etihad Stadium before the pair even face off for the first time in the top-flight.