Chelsea cruised into the sixth round of the FA Cup after a dominating display against a youthful Manchester City team at the Bridge last night.
Guus Hiddink named an unchanged starting XI from that which travelled to Paris in midweek and his team duly delivered. Diego Costa scored the first of the five goals for Chelsea, only seconds before David Faupala equalised for the Citizens at the other end. Although the Blues continued to dominate proceedings, it took them until early in the second-half to regain the lead and it was smooth sailings from thereon. Goals from Willian, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and young Bertrand Traore ensured the reigning Premier League champions marched into the next round, where they will take on Everton at Goodision Park.
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Experience triumphs over youth
Manchester City will have to endure a hectic schedule in the coming weeks with some tricky encounters, so it was understandable why Manuel Pellegrini picked a rather young side to face Chelsea. Six youngsters were named in their starting XI and two more on the bench for the trip to London. With the Citizens also struggling with injuries, Pellegrini was left with no choice other than to turn towards his youth.
While this City setup did struggle to cope with a more experienced host side, a number of their youth players gained vital experience in top-flight football. Tosin Adarabioyo and David Faupala in particular were the standouts among the youngsters after their impressive displays.
Chelsea continue to improve
Chelsea have now hit five goals at home for two games running and continue to improve under the guidance of Guus Hiddink. The Dutchman has evidently turned things around since his appointment and there has been a clear change from the side we saw in the first-half of the season. The Blues are still with the chance to succeed in two major cup competitions, which could salvage some pride from their miserable campaign.
After a spirited performance against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek ended up in a crushing loss for Hiddink’s men, the Blues seemed determined to win at the Bridge right from the get-go. Names like Cesc Fabregas, Costa, Hazard and Jon Obi Mikel seem like totally different players than what they were under Jose Mourinho in the early parts of the season. Fabregas pulled all the strings in midfield and was actively involved in almost all of Chelsea’s attacks, while his midfield partner Mikel put in a fine display in defensive midfield. Hazard was involved all of the first four goals, assisting three and scoring one with a brilliant free-kick. Costa continued his fine scoring form and now has 11 to his name in all competitions.
With the Blues schedule not as hectic as some of the other teams, it will be important for them to continue this form until the end, if they want rescue whatever is left of this season.
Up next for City
City will travel to Ukraine next, for a tricky visit to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League. They have now lost their last three games in-a-row and Pellegrini will be hopeful to end that run in midweek. The next few outings could determine the Sky Blues’ season, as they face a visit to Wembley to take on Liverpool in the Capital One Cup final next weekend.
After already being knocked out of one competition this week, the Sky Blues will have to do very well to remain in the hunt for the other three in the coming weeks. They cannot afford any more losses in the league if they want to pose a serious threat to the title as they currently sit in fourth place, six points behind pole position, with an already tough job ahead.
City will surely have to step up their game soon as they face an uphill task from now on.
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