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Different competition, same outcome. Manchester City have outplayed Chelsea for the second time in less than three days, on this occasion in the FA Cup.
On a Sunday when Aston Villa conceded twice from the 88th minute to be humbled 2-1 at home by fourth-tier Stevenage in the biggest shock of the third round, there were no surprises at the Etihad as City won 4-0 without the services of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
City’s top two players were given a rest after the 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday, with Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden scoring first-half goals and Mahrez adding another late on in a third-round cruise.
Next up for the Manchester club in world soccer’s oldest knockout competition are rivals likely to be the biggest threat to City’s defence of the Premier League title.
Arsenal, who lead second-place City by five points in the league, will be heading to Etihad Stadium in the fourth round if they beat third-tier Oxford United on Monday.
The problems mount for Chelsea manager Graham Potter, whose injury-hit squad lie 10th in the Premier League and are out of both cups, having already lost to City in the League Cup in November.
City boss Pep Guardiola, though, urged the London club to keep the faith with Potter.
“Give him time. The second half is about what he is. All managers need time and he’s right (for Chelsea),” Guardiola said.
The under-pressure Potter admitted he would be glad to see the back of City for a while.
“Man City are probably the worst opponent you can play when things aren’t going well because they can make it look like you are not trying,” he said.
There was an astonishing finale at Villa Park with the home favourites leading 1-0 through Morgan Sanson’s 33rd-minute goal.
Villa were reduced to 10 when Leander Dendoncker was red-carded in the 85th minute for a professional foul that gave Stevenage a penalty, which Jamie Reid converted.
The League Two side then earned a 90th-minute winner through Dean Campbell.
“I’ve had some magical moments,” Stevenage manager Steve Evans said.
“I’ve been in charge of lots of wins over Championship clubs but if you come away to a Premier League club like Aston Villa (and win) … it’s up there with them.
“It’s magical for the players, the chairman and for the town of Stevenage to see over 3000 fans and winning the way we did.
“It’s the FA Cup and what dreams are made of.”
Elsewhere, England Under-19 international Sonny Perkins kept Leeds in the Cup with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser earning them a 2-2 draw at Cardiff.
Stoke, with Socceroo Harry Souttar on the bench, benefited from two own goals as they cruised to a 3-0 win over League Two side Hartlepool.
Derby also eased through 3-0 success, beating fellow League One side Barnsley, while Blackburn defeated Norwich 1-0 and Walsall won 2-1 at Stockport.
Manchester City are on course for a mouth-watering clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal in the FA Cup following the fourth-round draw.
Sunday’s draw threw up the possibility of the country’s current top two teams meeting at City’s Etihad Stadium should Arsenal beat third-tier Oxford in Monday’s third-round tie.
After the draw had been made, City sealed their place in the fourth round with a brilliant 4-0 victory over fellow Premier League heavyweights Chelsea.
Manchester United, the 12-times Cup winners, will host second-tier Reading, who are managed by former United midfielder Paul Ince.
Holders Liverpool, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, will face another all-Premier League tie at Brighton should they win their replay.
Fourth-tier Stevenage, who pulled off the sensation of the round by winning 2-1 at Aston Villa, will visit Harry Souttar’s second-division Stoke City, while Sheffield Wednesday, who beat high-flying Newcastle 2-1, will host Fleetwood Town.
National League (fifth-tier) side Wrexham were rewarded for their shock win at Coventry with a home draw against Sheffield United.
FA Cup fourth round draw:
Manchester City v Oxford or Arsenal
Manchester United v Reading
Preston North End v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Blackpool
Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool or Wolves
Fulham v Sunderland
Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley v Cardiff City or Leeds United
Wrexham v Sheffield United
Ipswich Town v Burnley
Luton or Wigan v Grimsby Town
Derby County v West Ham United
Stoke City v Stevenage
Blackburn Rovers v Forest Green or Birmingham City
Walsall v Leicester City
Sheffield Wednesday v Fleetwood Town
Bristol City or Swansea v Chesterfield or West Brom
© AAP
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