Unbeatable Ortega
As Manchester City's second-choice goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega will have expected to start this first Carabao Cup game of the season - and the German was unpassable on his third start for the club. His previous two games - against Dortmund and Sevilla - saw steady results, but he ultimately had little to do.
Against Chelsea, though, Ortega was kept busy, stopping a deflected effort from close range with his feet, pushing out a Christian Pulisic shot bound for the corner, and denying Lewis Hall one-on-one when it looked inevitable that Chelsea would go ahead - and then again from the youngster to keep City in control when 2-0 up. His solidity provided the platform for City's second-half goals, and the fans responded by singing his name whenever he subsequently got the ball: 'He came from Germany, to play for Man City.'
Alvarez gets new chant
With Erling Haaland not fit enough to start again, Julian Alvarez made it three goals in as many games (plus his two assists vs Sevilla), with a lovely goal against Chelsea. Taking the ball from Jack Grealish, he sent a lovely cross-field ball to Riyad Mahrez from the wing, ran into the area, and converted the resulting cross that had been spilt from the goalkeeper.
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Alvarez has steadily improved in recent weeks, and is now getting the support and goals his efforts deserve. The fans recognised it too, singing a new chant for the striker to the tune of Spirit in the Sky. They may have a new Argentine battler to get behind.
Phillips returns just in time
Kalvin Phillips got 45 minutes, including injury time, to get back into the swing of things after his surgery ahead of England's World Cup squad announcement. Gareth Southgate will likely have already made his decision on Phillips, but his return was encouraging nonetheless against a top-class opponent.
Replacing Rodri at the base of midfield, Phillips recovered from a couple of wayward passes early on to keep possession nicely and keep City ticking. The midfielder got a good reception from the fans, and would be a popular inclusion in the England squad from this part of Manchester, at least. His cameo also opens up a whole new set of rotation possibilities in the new year back at City.
Four transfer decisions justified
This wasn't so much a 'City Old Boys' night, but there were plenty in the Chelsea squad whose names are very familiar at the Etihad. Raheem Sterling got a good reception from the fans as he returned off the bench, although good performances from Julian Alvarez, Cole Palmer and Jack Grealish reminded City that they have hardly struggled without him - and are £45m better off.
Kalidou Koulibaly denied Alvarez a first-half goal but his presence in this cup line-up - plus the fact City had their two best centre-backs in their own XI - showed he was another that the Blues haven't regretted missing out on. He notably failed to jump to allow Riyad Mahrez to open the scoring from a free-kick. Likewise, Marc Cucurella was targeted as he played in a back three, and didn't look anywhere near a £60m player. On the opposite side, £14m-worth Sergio Gomez improved to justify City's decision to walk away from Cucurella and sign the Spaniard instead.
Dias and Laporte's 2023 challenge
After starting the Champions League dead-rubber vs Sevilla, sitting on the bench in the Premier League, and then being recalled for the Carabao Cup, have Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte found themselves at the bottom of City's centre-back pecking order?
John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji all got a rest for this cup game - usually a prime chance to rest key players - and they would be favourites to return on Saturday against Brentford in the league. The quality of Chelsea necessitated a strong defence, and that could have been a key part of Guardiola's planning over the last fortnight. However, it feels Dias and Laporte will have to come back in 2023 with a job on their hands to win back their places.
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