Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
Manchester City didn’t pass their stiff Premier League test against Liverpool, but they did so against Chelsea despite some early adversity.
The defending champions keep on producing Premier League 2019 highlights and the key one at the Etihad was fitting to win any game.
There were eight minutes remaining in the first half when Riyad Mahrez gained possession and fired the reigning champions in front with a fine finish after what is now a trademark cut inside from the right wing.
The SBOBET Premier League 2019 betting odds suggest it is still highly unlikely they will retain the title this season but this was a step in the right direction as they moved above opponents Chelsea into third place.
Highlights of the game
Ironically, Mahrez may not have started in normal circumstances.
Manchester City were without Bernardo Silva due to suspension – a ridiculous decision which highlighted the folly of those behind the decision.
Yet they still named a strong squad against a Chelsea side which knew this was their toughest test of the season to date. And they returned to the ground where they suffered their largest ever Premier League defeat last season.
Pep Guardiola was able to call Ederson back into the ranks for a club only going in one direction, despite trailing the Premier League summit by a considerable margin.
Chelsea were seeking a seventh straight top-flight win after making it six of the best last time out against Crystal Palace. They’ve won six consecutive Premier League games for the first time since May 2017.
They were also looking to win eight consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time in their history.
They made a good start and were rewarded after 21 minutes when N’Golo Kante held off his compatriot Benjamin Mendy and slipped the ball past Ederson from Mateo Kovacic’s aerial pass.
That, however, proved to be their last effort on target in the match.
Kevin de Bruyne, not for the first time, made his former club play when his shot hit Kurt Zouma and wrongfooted goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
There was some fortune in the equaliser as captain David Silva’s pass only found De Bruyne via two deflections and the Belgium playmaker’s shot then seemed set to head straight to Arrizabalaga only to hit the centre-back and leave the Chelsea keeper helpless.
There was nothing fortunate about the winner, mind.
Mahrez was fed by Rodri down the right, skipped between two defenders and the Algeria winger produced a world-class finish between the legs of the hard-working young defender FikayoTomori.
City’s fightback should have been even more comprehensive when Kepa passed the ball straight to Sergio Aguero, but the Argentina striker – who has an impressive scoring record against the west Londoners – lifted the ball over the Spain goalkeeper but went off the bar.
Chelsea were inches away from equalising in injury time when substitute Mason Mount’s 30-yard free-kick went just wide.
Seconds later, City were celebrating for a third time as Mahrez headed the ball on for Sterling to blast home. But a VAR check ruled that the England forward was marginally offside.
Again, it was a very questionable decision.
But City were not to be denied, and the only downside for the hosts was seeing Aguero hobble off with a suspected muscle injury. City cannot afford to be with their talisman for long.
Job done for the champions. They’re back on track, but they still have a mighty long way to go.
Key statistics
This was the hosts’ 400th win in the Premier League.
De Bruyne has been directly involved in more home league goals (three goals, six assists) than any other Premier League player this season.
City have won five of the past seven meetings in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Chelsea have lost four of their last five Premier League away games against City.
Kante has scored three goals from his three shots on target in the Premier League this season.
While Chelsea have scored more away goals than any other Premier League side this season (19), no side has conceded more on the road than the Blues in 2019-20 (14).
Chelsea are winless in 11 Premier League away matches against other established top-six teams.
What’s next?
Both clubs are back in European action in midweek. City host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday (November 26) before travelling to Newcastle in the Premier League a week from today.
Chelsea are at Valencia in their European encounter on Wednesday (November 27) and then entertain West Ham in a London derby next Saturday.
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