The decisive Riyad Mahrez in the lead, and Stefan Ortega, the key to the goal, determined the Manchester City rating, which eliminated Chelsea from the League Cup with a 2-0 victory based on the appearance of the Algerian midfielder and the interventions of the German goalkeeper.
The ‘blue’ chest had to succumb to the efficacy of two well-accompanied men across all lines who were rivals in the character of Mendy, who was one step closer to becoming the Chelsea champion, but there was a difference: He eventually hit the knee against Mahrez, who opened Scoring from a free kick and causing a second, Julien Alvarez’s work.
Both Mahrez and Ortega dominated the limelight in their first away Premier League duel between City and Chelsea since the 2021 Champions League final. It was a fine ode to fast-paced football by two teams who played ruthlessly attacking and leaving ninety sensations behind. Minutes of good football.
Predictably, with the impending pre-World Cup break and with the season tight, Pep Guardiola and Graham Potter both kept some of their illustrious names and brought in local players like Cole Palmer or Louis Hall, who weren’t. in battle.
The fight remained a tie only during the first part and the first ten minutes of the second. At the time, Mendy Ortega supported his teammates with first-class interventions.
Jack Grealish had a dream about Mindy, very inspired throughout the match. Along the left flank, along with Sergio Gomez, he became a real nuisance to the Chelsea defense, which again formed with three central defenders, including Mark Cucurella. Grealish, was responsible for dismantling the “blue” defense, which survived thanks to the interventions of Mendy.
On the other side, the victims are Louis Hall and Christian Pulisic. Especially Hall, who hit his hand from Ortega 0-0 and managed to reduce the difference 2-0 after a cross from Hakim Ziyech from the penalty spot. Time and time again, Ortega was responsible for avoiding a City encounter that seemed destined to suffer.
Meanwhile, Mahrez ended up breaking the wall that Mendy had formed. He did so when the match was approaching the final third and with the help of Kalidou Koulibaly, the only one who didn’t jump over the barrier to try to stop the Algerian’s free kick perfectly executed.
The city cheered 1-0, which immediately led to a rent increase. Once again, Mahrez, the key to unlocking the Citizens, intervened to score a goal from Julian Alvarez, who did not waste a rebound after a shot from his teammate. The Argentine striker has been unleashed as a fine replacement for Erling Haaland, this time off the bench.
Then came Hall’s second encounter with Ortega and City, facing Chelsea’s attempt to react, and he decided to apply the handbrake and calm the duel. In the end, he endured without fear and glory went to Mahrez with his success and Ortega with his interventions. Guardiola noted: He has a foolproof alternative to Ederson.
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