City had already secured a tie with either Oxford United or Arsenal for the next round, which was a far cry from the traditionally fiercely competitive encounter between these two titans of the Premier League.
Riyad Mahrez set City on their way with a brilliant free kick in the 23rd minute, and World Cup winner Julian Alvarez scored a second from the spot seven minutes later after Kai Havertz’s handball. Thursday’s victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was hard-fought, but this one was easy.
After 38 minutes, Phil Foden converted a cross from Kyle Walker after being played in by Thursday’s match-winner Mahrez. Foden added a second from the penalty spot after Kalidou Koulibaly clumsily bundled him to the ground.
It was a harrowing day for Chelsea, their manager, Graham Potter, and their traveling fans, who chanted the name of Thomas Tuchel, the manager who won the Champions League but was fired in September by new owner Todd Boehly.
