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Manchester City knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup in style on Wednesday evening.
The encounter at the Etihad Stadium began tensely, with few chances, as both sides took a cautious approach in the opening 45 minutes.
The second-half proved more fruitful for the home side as Riyad Mahrez broke the deadlock via an expertly taken free kick before Julian Alvarez doubled the Premier League champions' lead from close range.
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The result means that City advance into the fourth round and have started their journey to what could possibly be their ninth League Cup trophy.
After a reasonably quiet start to proceedings, Christian Pulisic’s shot brought a great save from City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno.
It was then City’s turn to go close as Julian Alvarez was narrowly denied by Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy from close range.
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Jack Grealish was next to have a chance but his long range effort, the second of the evening, did not hit the back of the net.
Pep Guardiola took off Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri at the start of the second half and brought on Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips, as the latter marked his return from injury.
City then took the lead with a perfect free kick goal by Riyad Mahrez from good distance.
The Algerian’s shot went through the Chelsea wall to break the deadlock.
It did not take long until City doubled their lead through Alvarez, who was there to tap home from Mahrez’s parried effort.
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Ortega then pulled off an amazing save to deny Lewis Hall from pulling a goal back for the visitors.
After some more chances for both sides, Aymeric Laporte was brought off for Nathan Ake.
Chelsea thought that they had scored a late consolation but Christian Pulisic was rightly adjudged to be offside.
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Guardiola’s men are back in action on Saturday lunchtime when they face Brentford at the Etihad in the Premier League.
The Sky Blues will have the opportunity to move to the top of the table with a victory.
Saturday's match will also be the last game for the club before domestic football pauses for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester City, Chelsea, Carabao Cup, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez
