FA Cup · 5th Round - Manchester City vs Chelsea

The 5th round of the FA Cup sees Chelsea travel to League title rivals Manchester City to contest a second game at the Etihad Stadium in as many weeks. Up for grabs, a place in the competition's quarterfinals - and, with both Liverpool and Arsenal drawn head to head in the same round, what surely must be considered one hand on the trophy.










The sides last met in this competition, of course, in last year's semifinal at Wembley, in a controversy-charged match that saw Rafa Benitez's Chelsea beaten by eventual losing finalists City. City were in large control throughout the first half and finally broke through on 35 minutes through Samir Nasri, before Sergio Aguero scored less than 2 minutes into the second half to double the Sky Blues' lead. An acrobatic goal from Demba Ba just over 20 minutes from time gave the Blues hope, but proved ultimately just a consolation, and Chelsea were condemned to their first ever defeat at the new Wembley. The talking points following the match surrounded Sergio Aguero's malicious stomp on David Luiz, as well as Vincent Kompany's clear foul on Fernando Torres in the box at 2-1 - both uncalled by the referee and linesmen on the day - and the Blues will surely have revenge on their minds in this year's competition.









One measure of revenge already attained by the Blues over their Sky Blue counterparts would surely be the 2 league matches between the sides this season. José Mourinho's men have done the double over their rivals from the North this year, starting with a dramatic 2-1 victory at the Bridge in October, and followed up with a brilliant 1-0 win at the Etihad 2 weeks ago - a welcomed improvement after years of the Citizens being one of Chelsea's most infamous and high-profile bogey sides, and the Londoners will surely be looking for a third success on the bounce come this weekend.




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Key South American duo Sergio Agüero and Fernandinho remain missing for City, with centre-half Matija Nastasić and attacking midfielder Samir Nasri possibly returning fit by the weekend, while Chelsea may again be without captain John Terry, who sat out the Blues' games against both Newcastle United and West Brom the week before.

Honestly, I'd like to win this but don't care if we lose, I'd like us to focus on the CL and EPL over FAC.

Ironically, whoever loses this match could well prove to be the essential winners in the long run, as it will allow them to focus more on a title race that's as tight a one as there's been in eons and in which any little advantage over anyone else could ultimately mean the difference for you.

Terry boost for Chelsea as captain WILL be fit for FA Cup showdown with Manchester City:
Chelsea captain John Terry has delivered a timely boost for Jose Mourinho after he was declared fit for the club's highly-anticipated FA Cup fifth-round clash with Manchester City at the weekend
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2557563/Terry-boost-Chelsea-captain-WILL-fit-FA-Cup-showdown-Man-City.html



Lord please let it be true

I hope so,

Hope Salah and Schurrle play, don't care about result.

HAZARD NEEDS REST.

Also Kalas please.

City's game vs Sunderland called off due to bad weather. Means they'll have had a full week's rest for
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Saturday's match vs our < 4 days. Another thing for José to raise hell about in the lead-up to/aftermath of the game

Chelsea's Gary Cahill a doubt for FA Cup clash against Manchester City after suffering calf injury:
The England international picked up the knock during last night's 1-1 draw with West Brom and will undergo tests to reveal the extent of the problem
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-v-manchester-city-gary-3137398

José Mourinho poised to sacrifice Manchester City FA Cup tie to rest stars for run-in:
Terry, Ramires, Hazard, Oscar, Eto'o, Matic and Cahill could be rested for Saturday's FA Cup tie as competition is club's No.3 priority behind the title and Champions League
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-city-chelsea-fa-cup-tie-3138681

Would be interesting it true. Doubt it though

Ditto.

I would love that to be the case.

Arsenal and Manchester City set to rest star players in their FA Cup ties this weekend:
Looming Champions League clashes with Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively have Wenger and Pellegrini ready to ring changes against Liverpool and Chelsea
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-manchester-city-set-rest-3143379

Manchester City boss Pellegrini is facing the first leg of a last-16 tie against visitors Barcelona on Tuesday, so is prepared to rest Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Alvaro Negredo for Saturday’s meeting with Chelsea at the Etihad.

With Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho both out injured, it will leave the Quadruple chasers desperately short for the grudge rematch against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, who beat them in the league last week.

And like that, we have a chance again.

Chelsea boss José Mourinho gives Terry and Cahill injury update:
Chelsea manager José Mourinho has revealed that defenders Gary Cahill and John Terry are set to miss tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Manchester City
http://www.london24.com/sport/chelsea/chelsea_boss_jose_mourinho_gives_terry_and_cahill_injury_update_1_3321560

“John is not back and Cahill is not.”

“He was injured in the game at West Brom. He didn’t finish the training session.”

“He’s going for a scan to see whether he can play or not.”

“Cahill had trained today but was unable to complete the session.”

Bugger,

It'll be Azpilicueta Ivanovic Luiz Cole then.

"Reckon Cahill will play!", says Rob Beasley cryptically on twitter a few mins ago. Remains to be seen whether he actually knows something or it's just another of his wind-ups. #imgoingwiththelatter

MAN CITY XI: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany (C), Lescott, Clichy, Garcia, Toure, Milner, Silva, Jovetic, Dzeko

CHELSEA XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, David Luiz, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Ramires, Willian, Hazard; Eto'o

SUBS: Hart, Richards, Demichelis, Kolarov, Navas, Negredo, Nasri


SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Salah, Schurrle, Oscar, Torres

So – so much for both manager going to 'rotate heavily'...

LOL Mou is such a *bleep* asshole.

#FREEKALAS

#GIVEHAZARDSOMERESTFFS

#LEAGUEAHEADOFCUPPLEASE

City 1-0


Deservedly so as they've been in complete control.