Mahrez scores twice
Even without the rested star striker Erling Haaland, Manchester City easily reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and also gave the struggling Chelsea FC another demoralizing evening. The English champions unexpectedly defeated their opponents from London, who had slipped down to tenth place in the Premier League, 4-0 (3-0) on Sunday. Riyad Mahrez (23rd minute), Julián Álvarez (30th) with a penalty kick, Phil Foden (38th) and again Mahrez (85th) with a penalty kick shot the second in the table to a clear success. In the league, the Citizens had won 1-0 at the Blues three days earlier.
In addition to Haaland, Manchester coach Pep Guardiola also did without Kevin de Bruyne and German international Ilkay Gündogan. Instead of regular goalkeeper Ederson, Stefan Ortega, who was signed by Arminia Bielefeld before the current season, was between the posts. Chelsea coach Graham Potter brought forward David Datro Fofana, who was recently signed from Norwegian club FK Molde, onto the field for the first time in the second half.
Coach Wagner retires in Norwich debut in FA Cup
David Wagner suffered defeat on his debut as Norwich City manager. The English second division team lost 1-0 (0-1) to championship rivals Blackburn Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday. Jack Vale scored the winning goal in the 31st minute. Despite the great superiority, the Norwich attack around former Bundesliga player Teemu Pukki was unable to equalize in the final stages to reach a decider.
The 51-year-old Wagner started his new job on Friday. The former coach of FC Schalke 04 had previously been on leave from the Swiss first division club Young Boys Bern in early March. Norwich is currently only eleventh in the Championship and 15 points behind a direct promotion place. However, the playoffs for the leap into the Premier League are still within reach.
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