Citizens on a roll; huge pressure on Hughes
● Sergio Agüero fired Manchester City to a 4-1 win over Burnley in the FA Cup, while Mark Hughes is fighting to remain Stoke City boss after a 2-1 loss at minnows Coventry City yesterday.
While the Citizens strolled into the fourth round, Chelsea face an unwanted replay after being held to a 0-0 draw at Championship side Norwich.
City boss Pep Guardiola named a strong team including Agüero, Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling at Eastlands, but the runaway Premier League leaders fell behind in the 25th minute. Ashley Barnes blasted into the top corner after City defender John Stones sliced his attempted clearance.
City, who last tasted defeat in domestic competition in an FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal in April, were level in the 56th minute when Agüero fired home from Ilkay Gundogan’s pass. Agüero then finished off a superb backheeled pass from Gundogan in the 58th minute.
Sané prodded home to put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute and Bernardo Silva made it four in the 82nd minute.
Hughes could face the sack after fourthtier Coventry rolled back the years with a memorable cup result at their Ricoh Arena.
With Stoke in the relegation zone, it was reported this week that the club’s hierarchy had considered dismissing Hughes, and whether he can survive any longer must now be in doubt.
Jordan Willis put the underdogs ahead in the 24th minute with his first goal in a year.
Willis conceded a 52nd-minute penalty with a foul on Ramadan Sobhi and Charlie Adam stepped up to equalise. But Coventry rightback Jack Grimmer weaved through Stoke’s defence and sidefooted past Jack Butland in the 67th minute.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made nine changes at Carrow Road, with Eden Hazard rested and Alvaro Morata only used as a substitute. The result was a disjointed display from the Blues, who now face an extra match that will add to Conte’s frustration.
At the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe made eight changes as he prioritised Premier League survival and it needed a second-half revival from his understudies to rescue a 2-2 draw against Wigan.
Chelsea now face an extra match that will add to Antonio Conte’s frustration
Newcastle swept away fourth-tier leaders Luton Town with a 3-1 win at St James’ Park.
West Bromwich Albion won for the first time in 21 matches in all competitions, 2-0 at fourth-tier Exeter City.
Watford avoided more cup misery against giant-killers Bristol City with a 3-0 win at Vicarage Road. City had won at Vicarage Road in the League Cup this season.
Southampton won 1-0 at Fulham, Huddersfield Town beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1, Swansea City drew 0-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City were held to a 0-0 draw at third-tier side Fleetwood Town.