The outcome was entirely predictable but Manchester City were, at least, given a game before passing to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Superbly taken goals from Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish saw off the Championship strugglers Peterborough, who had feared greater punishment but had their moments.
The home side created a couple of presentable chances to complicate City’s task but will reflect survival is possible if they complete the season with this energy. Nobody went away too unhappy and there was also the deeply touching sight of Oleksandr Zinchenko, City’s captain for the night, being given an ovation by all sides of the ground.
On the kind of rutted pitch that might have boded ill for Premier League leaders in years gone by, City diced with danger in spells but pulled through with two moments of sublime class. Mahrez might have picked the lock but most of the conversation afterwards centred on the strike that made sure. Before the game Pep Guardiola had advised Grealish, back after missing three weeks, not to worry about the scrutiny he has been put under during a relatively modest first season. He made light of it in the 67th minute when pulling a gorgeous 50‑yard pass from Phil Foden out of the sky, barely pausing to find his bearings before coolly slotting under Steven Benda.
It was a timely reminder that two of England’s most thrilling talents can dovetail to beautiful effect and Grealish joked afterwards that a pre‑match study of the world’s best player had advertised their combination.
“Before the game I was scrolling through Twitter and a video of Messi’s passing came up, me and Phil were just watching it,” he said.
“As soon as he passed that ball I scored [from], Phil came up to me and said: ‘Just like we were watching before the game.’”
Foden’s speared, left-footed assist certainly bore comparison and meant City could come away with a moment to remember. They had hogged the ball, as always, during the first half but had little to show for it bar two off-target efforts from Ilkay Gündogan and a wayward strike from Grealish in a good position. Peterborough, bottom of the second tier but lively, had caused a few flutters on the counter and a deflected shot from Jeando Fuchs had demanded smart action of Ederson.
At half-time Guardiola swapped his centre-backs, later saying Nathan Aké and Rúben Dias had picked up injuries, and dropped Fernandinho back to form a defensive three. It looked respectful to Peterborough, who had lined up similarly, but Grant McCann’s players almost capitalised on City’s obvious uncertainty after the reshuffle. Sammie Szmodics pulled wide from a glorious position and, moments later, Foden was alert to take the ball off Jorge Grant’s toe when he looked poised to convert.
It was a rattling good Cup tie at that point. “I’m really proud,” said McCann, who rejoined Peterborough only last week. “I said to them afterwards, that’s the benchmark. This has shown the energy and aggressiveness we can play with.”
Whether or not City were really spooked, they certainly had to step things up. They had produced little in the second half but, on the hour, Mahrez salvaged a ricochet to the right of the area. He had been off beam for most of the evening but, cutting inside characteristically, he created himself a half-chance. With minimal backlift he nursed a skilful effort around and beyond Benda, who seemed to be caught out by the early shot.
“They were brilliant goals,” Guardiola said. “Apart from the first six minutes of the second half, the rest was really good, we know how aggressive they are. [Mahrez] is playing the best of his career. It’s not a profession to him, it’s a joy. He would play every single day.”
Far more moving, though, was the response to Zinchenko. Guardiola had given him the armband, saying the Ukrainian would “represent his country”, and the sentiment towards him and his compatriots before kick‑off was heartfelt. The entire stadium applauded when Zinchenko was announced over the public address system, while Peterborough’s mascot ran around the pitch bearing a Ukraine flag. The same blue and yellow standard could be seen waving in sections of the away end, and another was carried on to the pitch by Zinchenko and the home captain, Frankie Kent.
At full-time the City support chanted his name and he was visibly emotional when leaving the pitch. “We have had to be there for him,” Grealish said. “It’s been an extremely difficult time for him and everyone associated with Ukraine. I think he did brilliant.”
