Riyad Mahrez who failed to impress in AFCON scored twice as Manchester City came from behind to beat Championship leaders Fulham 4-1 in the FA Cup fifth round.
Manchester City, who are nine points clear at the top of the English Premier League and have not lost in domestic competition since October, were given an early fright when Fabio Carvalho turned in Harry Wilson’s cross.
Riyad Mahrez Scores Two as City Thrash Fulham
Fulham’s lead lasted barely 90 seconds before the home team replied with a perfect finish from Ilkay Gundogan for an assured first-time finish to settle the nerves of the home fans at a sold-out Etihad Stadium.
John Stones put Manchester City in control soon afterward when he climbed highest at the near post to head home Kevin de Bruyne’s corner, but they did not finish the tie-off for good until the start of the second half.
Algerian star Mahrez, who missed from the spot as Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast last month, made no mistake this time when City was awarded a penalty. A few minutes later, Mahrez made it four when he ran on to De Bruyne’s pinpoint pass and saw his shot deflected past Paulo Gazzaniga.
That signaled the end of Fulham’s resistance, and they seemed to accept their fate when their 28-goal top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic was substituted with 15 minutes left to play.
