Meeting for the third time in two months and second time in the space of four days, Manchester City and Chelsea renew hostilities for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round encounter.
Pep Guardiola’s outfit travelled to Stamford Bridge for Thursday’s Premier League battle and ran out 1-0 winners, despite coming under for large portions of the match.
Refusing to make any alterations until the 87th minute of his side’s draw with Everton, Guardiola had seemingly learned his lesson as he rang the changes early doors at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea’s periods of promise failed to bear fruit.
Only three minutes after both men were introduced into the fray, Jack Grealish found fellow substitute Riyad Mahrez to tap home at the back stick and settle the close contest in the champions’ favour, allowing them to close the gap on leaders Arsenal back down to five points.
Playing catch-up to old student Mikel Arteta is at the forefront of Guardiola’s mind right now, but there should be scope for the Catalan coach to steer his side all the way to FA Cup glory, having only got his hands on the trophy once since taking over in 2019.