In the end it was easy for Chelsea, as they tore an inexperienced Man City to shreds, winning 5-1 at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
City handed five debuts to Bersant Celina, David Faupala, Aleix Garcia, Manuel Garcia and Tosin Adarabioyo but did well to hold the Blues back in the first half where Diego Costa and Faupala ensured it was even at the break.
But goals from Willian, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and Bertrand Traore ensured Chelsea’s victory in a game they dominated from start to finish.
They enjoyed more possession and as a result were almost ahead early on through Pedro.
The winger combined superbly with Cesc Fabregas and his curling shot from a tight angle beat Caballero but hit the post.
Costa finally broke the deadlock with ten minutes to go when Hazard’s cross found the striker unmarked inside the six-yard box.
It was easy for Costa, but Man City responded instantly through Faupala and there was still five minutes until half-time when Caballero was called into action to deny Pedro and keep the score level.
Chelsea continued to pile the pressure on but it was all square at the break.
However, there was barely two minutes on the clock in the second half when Willian made it 2-1, latching onto Hazard’s pass and slotting it past Caballero from the edge of the goalkeeper’s six-yard box.
And the 34-year-old Argentine was again powerless when Cahill was given space in the area and the defender made no mistake when a ball from Hazard landed at his feet 12 yards from goal.
And then Hazard soon won and converted the resulting free-kick when he was brought down by Demichelis with just over 20 minutes to go.
City’s centre-back was booked and the Belgian fired the ball over the ball the assembled wall and into the bottom corner for the Blues’ fourth of the game.
Pedro and Costa were taken off shortly afterwards to rousing ovations with Oscar and Bertrand Traore coming on.
Oscar had the opportunity to make it 5-1 from the penalty spot after more clumsiness from Demichelis, who this time brought down Traore.
However, Caballero palmed the penalty away, but Chelsea were not done and Traore hit the post minutes later before getting on the score sheet.
The 20-year-old appeared not to know much about it, though, when he flicked Oscar’s cross over Caballero and into the net.
Not that he cared, as he ran off to celebrate a second goal for Chelsea in eight days.
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Source: Talksport