Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez were on target early in the second half as Manchester City beat Chelsea 2-0 in Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie.
Chelsea’s disappointing run of form continued as they were eliminated from the EFL Cup by Manchester City at the third-round stage with a 2-0 loss on Wednesday.
Both sides made seven changes to their line-ups for the heavyweight clash at the Etihad Stadium and it was Chelsea who looked the brighter side in the first half.
But after Christian Pulisic and youngster Lewis Hall spurned promising chances, quick-fire early second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez put City in control.
City, who introduced Kalvin Phillips for the first time since mid-September, saw victory spell an early exit for last season’s beaten runners-up Chelsea.
City were largely limited to long-range shots in the first half, which Chelsea, who would have been in front at the break but for good goalkeeping and poor finishing, had.
Pulisic fired from close range at Stefano Ortega and another effort from distance was saved, while the lively Hall was denied at the end of a good drive.
Jack Grealish forced Edouard Mendy into several saves early in the second half, shortly after Phillips’ opener, and City’s period on top resulted in the breakthrough goal.
Mahrez was fouled by Trevoh Chalobah just outside the penalty area and the resulting free-kick went over the Chelsea wall – Kalidou Koulibaly couldn’t jump – and past Mendy.
The home side doubled their lead five minutes later through Alvarez, who tapped in after Mendy could only push Mahrez’s shot past the Argentina international.
Ortega produced another fine save to deny Hall, while Pulisic had a late goal ruled out for offside, but Pep Guardiola felt no need to turn to substitutes Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
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