Chelsea’s first exit at the third-round stage in this competition since 2010 came with mixed emotions after an improved performance against the cup holders, with Graham Potter citing the display as a step forward following recent losses to Arsenal and Brighton.

The Blues matched City in the xG battle, underlining the number and quality of chances we were able to create at the Etihad Stadium, though a second blank in a row left those travelling supporters without much to cheer in the north-west.

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Hall on the ball

On his first start under Potter, 18-year-old Lewis Hall put in a composed performance at left wing-back, never fazed by City’s relentless pressing and regularly leading our efforts to break that press with a sharp pass, brave take-on or accurate long ball down the channel.

He registered a game-high three successful dribbles and completed 78 per cent of his attempted 27 passes, all while marshalling the home side’s twin threat of Rico Lewis and Riyad Mahrez down the right.

At the other end, Hall fashioned two of Chelsea’s best chances on the night, shifting the ball brilliantly to evade Lewis’s sliding challenge before goalkeeper Stefan Ortega saved with an outstretched boot. The German kept the teenager out again in the second half, with Hall perhaps unfortunate that both big opportunities fell on his weaker right foot.

Nevertheless, this was a positive display from the versatile youngster, who finished with two of our five shots on target in the match. Christian Pulisic mustered another two, as well as four of our 15 efforts overall, in a lively performance for the USA forward.

Busy at the back

Alongside Hall, Marc Cucurella was a busy man keeping City’s array of attacking talent at bay. The Spaniard made six tackles, more than the rest of Chelsea’s starters combined, as well as winning one tackle and one aerial duel.

In possession, he was our most efficient passer of the ball with a 92 per cent completion rate and had the most touches of any Chelsea player (95).

However, his efforts were ultimately not enough to prevent City scoring twice early in the second half to book their place in the next stage of the competition, ending our run of 11 successive years of advancing from the third round.

200-up for Kova

Mateo Kovacic made his 200th appearance for the club, becoming the 29th overseas player to reach that landmark for Chelsea.

Of the current squad, he joins Cesar Azpilicueta (491), N’Golo Kante (262) and Jorginho (206) in reaching the milestone, with the skipper’s substitute runout taking him closer to the 500-game mark.