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