The USMNT star missed big chances for the Blues as they crashed out of the League Cup at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City might not have won the Carabao Cup last season, but their love affair with the competition is well and truly back on as they began their bid to win the trophy for the fifth time in six years with a 2-0 win over Chelsea.
Second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez proved to be the difference as two much-changed teams produced an entertaining affair at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea have now lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, and Graham Potter has a big job to do to turn things around at Stamford Bridge over the next few months.
But who had the best night, and who will want to move on from this one pretty quickly? GOAL breaks down the winners and losers…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Jack Grealish
Questions continue to be asked of Grealish's suitability to a Pep Guardiola team, but if he puts in performances of the level he did here on a more regular basis, then those questions will soon disappear.
The England international was electric from the first minute, driving at the Chelsea defence, creating chances for both himself and others while winning free-kicks in dangerous areas.
On another night he might have had a hat-trick were it not for Edouard Mendy, who made three fine saves either side of half-time to deny the City winger.
If he can carry this form into the World Cup, then he has the potential to light up Qatar for the Three Lions.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Christian Pulisic
If Grealish looks ready to take the World Cup by storm, then the same cannot be said of Pulisic, who again failed to show why he should be given more minutes by Graham Potter.
The United States star should have given the visitors the lead early on, but fluffed his lines when just seven or eight yards from goal, with his scuffed finish deflecting into Stefan Ortega's grateful grasp.
The City goalkeeper denied Pulisic what would have been a far more spectacular strike later in the half, but that was as good as it got for the man who so many American hopes are set to be pinned on in Qatar.
On this evidence, he might struggle to carry them.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Lewis Hall
On a another miserable night for Chelsea, one of their few bright spots came in the performance of teenager Lewis Hall.
The 18-year-old was making just his second senior appearance but was a ball of energy at left wing-back as he regularly got the better of fellow youngster Rico Lewis.
Hall will wonder how he didn't mark the game with a goal, as he was twice denied by Ortega saves, though he really should have done better with his first chance after finding himself in space inside the penalty area.
His second opportunity was more of a great save from Ortega, and though he couldn't find the net, this was a performance from Hall that suggested he is ready for more opportunities in 2023.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Kalidou Koulibaly
Remember when Koulibaly was earning rave reviews in the early weeks of his Chelsea career? That seems a long time ago now.
Having played in just one of Chelsea's previous five games, the Senegal defender looked rusty and off the pace throughout on Wednesday.
He was perhaps fortunate to only receive a booking for a foul on Grealish as he looked to be breaking into the box in the first half and was regularly dribbled past by City's fleet-footed forwards.
The moment that probably summed up his night, though, was when he was the only member of the Chelsea wall not to jump when Riyad Mahrez struck a 20-yard free-kick early in the second half.
The ball flew straight over Koulibaly's head and into the net to open the scoring. Not a night to remember for the ex-Napoli star.
