FA Cup

TEN points off the Champions League places, one win in seven and now knocked out of both domestic cup competitions. Sure, Chelsea are ravaged by injuries just now but the way in which a much-changed Manchester City side waltzed into a 3-0 half-time lead must be a cause of grave concern for Graham Potter. 
Riyad Mahrez curls home a brilliant free-kickCredit: Reuters
The City star celebrates his stunning goalCredit: AP
The Blues boss is currently without TEN senior players yet there should surely still have been enough experience and quality on show here to at least give City a game. 
A stunning Riyad Mahrez free-kick, a Julian Alvarez penalty and an outstanding passing move finished off by Phil Foden buried Chelsea by half-time to secure Pep Guardiola’s men a likely fourth-round home tie against Premier League leaders Arsenal, who face Oxford on Monday night.
Mahrez netted a late penalty – his third goal against Chelsea in less than three days – rounded off the thumping but most Blues fans were heading back down the motorway by then. 
Chelsea were a shambles – with too many luxury players hardly breaking a sweat as City humiliated them with three goals in 15 minutes. 
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Potter’s injury list is savage but World Cup players of the class of Kai Havertz, Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech should be embarrassed by their contributions to this debacle. 
It begs the question of whether Chelsea’s players have downed tools on Potter, just four months after his arrival from Brighton. 
Chelsea reached the last three FA Cup Finals – losing all three – but this year their involvement is over in early January and the Champions League now represents their final, unlikely, chance for silverware this season. 
Travelling Blues fans – who honoured their former player and manager Gianluca Vialli throughout – also chanted for Potter’s predecessor, Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel.
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Julian Alvarez converts from the penalty spotCredit: Getty
Alvarez is congratulated by Phil FodenCredit: Reuters
And they mockingly celebrated whenever their team managed a second-half shot.
It is reckoned that new owner Todd Boehly is more patient than Roman Abramovich but Chelsea cannot go on being this poor every game.
It is beginning to feel as though Potter is out of his depth. 
Chelsea travel the mile to Fulham on Thursday, three points behind the in-form neighbours they are too big to even regard as rivals. If Potter is beaten at Craven Cottage, then his job will surely be in peril.  
There were, unsurprisingly, a glut of changes from City’s 1-0 league win at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. 
Potter, unable to rotate to the usual extent, handed a debut to centre-half Bashir Humphreys and a start to another kid, left-back Lewis Hall, while welcoming Mason Mount back from injury.
Alvarez was given his first start since the World Cup Final – and the ensuing Buenos Aires fiesta – and Guardiola also gave a rare start to England Under-21 forward Cole Palmer. 
It was Palmer who had the first clear sight of goal, released by a lofted through-ball from Aymeric Laporte but shooting into the side-netting.
Foden makes it 3-0 from close rangeCredit: Getty
The England ace shows his glee after making it threeCredit: Getty
Still, City did not have to wait long and it was Thursday’s night matchwinner Mahrez who inflicted the damage again. 
The Algerian won a free-kick almost 30 yards out and with Chelsea prepared for a cross, he curled it inside the near post with power and precision, a flick off the head of Conor Gallagher not looking as if it would make much difference. 
If the first goal was a belter, the second was a brainstorm.
Foden delivered a corner from the left and the dozy Havertz raised his arm to claw the ball away from the head of Laporte. 
It took VAR John Brooks to spot it and although Alvarez’s spot-kick was far from convincing, Kepa plunged to his right but could only push it on off the inside of the post. 
Chelsea were crestfallen, dishevelled and shadow-chasing after that and City’s third was a classic Guardiola goal.
A sweeping passing move from left to right ended with Kyle Walker cutting back and Foden side-footing home from close range, Chelsea stretched to breaking point. 
Potter made two changes at half-time – though in truth he could have used all five subs – Ivorian striker David Fofana on for a debut in place of the insipid Havertz and Denis Zakaria replacing Mateo Kovacic. 
Kalvin Phillips – fat-shamed by Guardiola after his return from the World Cup – was given a trot in place of Rodri early in the second half and it felt as if the City boss had declared. 
Mahrez whistled one just wide but Guardiola wasn’t in the mood to rub in any salt, leaving Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne on the bench. 
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Late on, the clumsy Koulibaly floored Foden in the box and Mahrez cracked home the penalty. 
What a breeze for City; what a mess for Chelsea. 
Erling Haaland started the match on the benchCredit: Getty More

GARY LINEKER had FA Cup viewers in stitches with his hilarious dig at Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Chelsea goalkeeper tried his best to put off Julian Alvarez before the Manchester City forward’s penalty at the Etihad.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was shredded by Gary Lineker for his pre-penalty anticsCredit: Getty
Julian Alvarez refused to be sucked into the mind gamesCredit: Getty

City were gifted the spot-kick when Kai Havertz inexplicably punched the ball clear from a corner.
And as Alvarez prepared for his effort, Arrizabalaga came out of his goal to have a long chat with the striker.
The pair – who both speak Spanish – appeared to engage in a light-hearted conversation as the goalkeeper tried to play the mind games.
It didn’t work, though, as Alvarez squeezed the ball beyond the Blues stopper into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
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And Match of the Day presenter Lineker could not resist a cheeky swipe at Kepa, branding him the “Poundland Emi Martinez” live on air at half-time.
Alvarez’s Argentina team-mate and wind-up merchant Martinez psyched out plenty of opponents with his antics during the World Cup, including during the shootout in the final.
But the world champion City striker refused to be distracted – although supporters watching the game at home could not contain their laughter.
One said: “Gary Lineker just called Kepa a ‘Poundland Emi Martinez’ they’re violating him on big BBC One omds.”
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Another wrote: “They’re calling their £72m goalkeeper a Poundland Emi Martinez live on BBC this can’t get more humiliating.”
And a third added: “Gary Lineker just called Kepa “the Poundshop Emi Martinez!” Do you know how s*** you have to be to be the pound version of that bloke?”
It was a torrid opening 45 minutes for Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal.
He was beaten by an inch-perfect Riyad Mahrez free-kick before the brainless conceding of the penalty which left Graham Potter furious.
Phil Foden rounded off a fine team move to make it 3-0 to City before the break.
City took their foot off the gas in the second half, but a late Mahrez penalty made it four after Kalidou Koulibaly brought down Foden.
Pep Guardiola’s side now face a fourth-round clash with either Arsenal or Oxford.
The Blues goalkeeper went the right way but could not save itCredit: AP
Lineker made the quip on presenting duties live on the BBCCredit: PA
Emi Martinez caused a stir with his behaviour at the World CupCredit: Getty More

FANS were left in hysterics by Graham Potter’s reaction to Kai Havertz’s baffling handball against Manchester City.Chelsea faced City for the third time of Potter’s short tenure in the FA Cup third round… and got off to a nightmare start.
Graham Potter reacted to watching a replay of the incidentCredit: BBC
Kai Havertz bafflingly punched a Man City cornerCredit: BBC Sport
Riyad Mahrez gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead after just 23 minutes with a brilliant free-kick.
And things went from bad to worse just seven minutes later, after a moment of madness by Havertz.
When a corner was swung into the box, the German PUNCHED the ball away to safety.
His indiscretion was initially missed by officials, but a penalty was later awarded after a VAR check.
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Cameras picked up Potter’s immediately response to viewing the incident – with fans convinced that he said: “F*** me.”
One tweeted, followed by a laughing emoji: “Graham Potter after seeing Havertz’ handball: “F*** me”.
A second wrote: “Haha. Say what you think Potter. ‘F*** Me’.”
And a City fan chortled: “Graham Potter saw the replay and said, simply: ‘f*** me’.”
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Potter’s woes grew even greater just eight minutes later, when Phil Foden tapped home from close range to make it 3-0.
Man City completed a 4-0 win when Mahrez converted from the spot late in the second half.
The former Brighton boss has endured a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge.
No Blues boss has recorded a worse points tally from their first 11 Prem games in the last 30 years.
Potter’s side have won just one of their last eight matches in the Premier League.
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CHELSEA fans paid an emotional tribute to Gianluca Vialla before facing Manchester City.The legendary Italian passed away on Friday aged 58 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Players and supporters joined together in a minute’s applause for Gianluca VialliCredit: AFP
Chelsea’s warm-up tops had the No9 printed on the backCredit: Getty
Vialli passed away on Friday aged 58Credit: EPA
And in their first match since his tragic death, former club Chelsea honoured him in a touching way.
The Blues stars warmed up for their FA Cup third-round clash at the Etihad all wearing Vialli’s No9 on the back of their tops.
Chelsea’s players, staff and fans were then joined by their City counterparts before kick-off with a minute’s applause for the striker.
Supporters in the stands held up banners and sang Vialli’s name to honour the popular figure.
The 59-cap international moved to Stamford Bridge in 1996 and was immediately adored by fans, scoring 40 goals in 88 appearances.
He helped the team win the FA Cup in his first season in England and took on the role as player-manager in 1998 when Ruud Gullit was sacked.
Vialli led Chelsea to the Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup in the season he took over.
When the sad news was announced this week, the football world mourned a “gentle soul” and “universally-loved guy”.
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Chelsea tweeted: “You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football.
“Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.”
Vialli won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998 with ChelseaCredit: Alamy
Blues fans held up banners and Italian flags in the away endCredit: AFP More

A CHAOTIC last ten minutes at the Cardiff City stadium saw a player sent off and a missed penalty before Sonny Perkins snacthed a dramtic last-minute equaliser.With Leeds trailling 2-1 Junior Firpo’s strike was blocked on the line by the hand of Joe Bagan, who was promptly sent off.

Sonny Perkins scored a dramatic late equaliser for LeedsCredit: Getty
Jaden Philogene celebrates opening the scoring against LeedsCredit: PA
Sheyi Ojo doubled Cardiff’s lead with a brilliant half volleyCredit: Getty
Rodrigo’s header gave his side a glimmer of hopeCredit: Reuters
But Rodrigo missed the resulting spot-kick and Leeds appeared to be heading out of the FA Cup.
But Perkins produced a close range finish to set up a replay and Jesse Marsch will be thanking his lucky stars.
The Whites manager looked as though he was on borrowed time when Rodrigo’s limp penalty was heroically saved by Jak Alnwick on 80 minutes to leave them trailing 2-1.
Afterall the under-fire Leeds boss has only just two wins in his last 15 and to make matters worse Cardiff were without a victory in seven.
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The Bluebirds hadn’t even scored a goal since December 17 until Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo’s first-half strikes.
But the comeback was on for Leeds when Rodrigo pulled one back after the break before his missed penalty.
And Perkins was there to pick up the pieces with the precious leveller on 93 minutes.
The visitors were victims of their wasteful finishing in the early stages.
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Darko Boateng Gyabi wreaked havoc for the hosts but curled a warning shot just wide.
He then shimmied between Jack Simpsona and Tom Sang but again cracked another effort inches from the post.
Crysencio Summerville took the baton and blazed over the bar in front of virtually an open goal after pouncing on a kamikaze clearance from Tom Sang.
Jesse Marsch fumed over a penalty shout on Degnand Gnoto who was actually booked for diving
Leeds were even more shambolic at the back – and Mark Hudson’s side made the pay.
Pascal Struijk dilly dallied with the ball, gifting a blistering run on goal for Mark Harris.
His initial effort was saved by Joel Robles but only as far as Isaak Davies before it bobbled to Jaden Philogene to lash in from close-range on 24 minutes.
The visitors had been making all the racket up till then, but it was the home fans’ turn for a knees up.
They snarled and cupped their ears at the away end where you could hear a pin drop.
It was only a matter of time before they were serenaded to a rendition of “Leeds are falling apart again”.
But they didn’t just fall apart in the first-half, they were blown into smithereens.
Cardiff smelt blood and began another ferocious onslaught at Leeds’ goal as the visitors shirked their duties at the back once again.
A mouth-watering Andy Rinomhota chip floated into the box, off Diego Llorente’s head and smack bang into the path of Ojo to rifle in on 31 minutes.
Leeds had a rocket up their jacksies after the break after a suspected tongue-lashing from boss Jesse Marsch.
He brought on Rodrigo Moreno on 59 minutes who made an instant impact.
The Spanish striker pulled one back as he met Sam Greenwood’s inch-perfect cross from a well worked corner routine to find the net just six-minutes after coming onto the pitch.
Was the comeback on?
Too right it was, as Leeds cramped Cardiff into their own half Junior Firpo unleashed a rasping shot at goal which Joel Bagan saved virtually on the line with his HAND.
The English youngster left referee Jarred Gillett with no choice but to send him packing and point to the penalty spot.
Rodrigo stepped up but jaws hit the deck when his tame effort was expertly saved by ice-cool Jak Alnwick on 79 minutes.
The Cardiff shot-stopper put his finger to his lips to silence the 6,000 travelling fans who had been giving him hell behind the goal throughout the second half.
The nightmare continued for Leeds with Mateo Joseph hoofing over an inch-perfect Rodrigo cross into the gods.
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But Perkins saved the day in the dying seconds by poking home Junior Firpo’s neat flick on after a scramble in the box.
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