Manchester City came from behind to claim a valuable 2-1 win at home to Chelsea and move up to third in the Premier League table, although Saturday’s victory was marred by injury concerns for Rodri, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.
N’Golo Kante marked his 150th Chelsea appearance with a deserved opening goal, before City hit back to lead at the interval thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected strike and a fine solo effort from Riyad Mahrez.
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City lost at title rivals Liverpool in their last game before the international break but crucially got back to winning ways despite a strangely low-tempo performance at the Etihad Stadium, where three key players limped off during the second half.
Defeat for Frank Lampard’s side ended a six-game winning streak in the league and denied the Blues the chance to set a club record of eight straight victories away from home in all competitions.
Chelsea were the better side initially and opened the scoring in the 21st minute, Kante bursting through a gap in City’s defence to meet Mateo Kovacic’s lofted pass, hold off the challenge of Benjamin Mendy and squeeze a clever finish past Ederson.
City were soon level, though, De Bruyne equalising against his old club when he sold Jorginho a dummy and saw his shot take a decisive deflection off Kurt Zouma, and they led before half-time.
Mahrez collected the ball in the right channel, skipped inside away from Kovacic and Emerson Palmieri and fired a superb low shot through the legs of Tomori to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea were fortunate not to be 3-1 down at the break, Kepa’s loose pass presenting Aguero with a clear sight of goal that the striker wasted by hitting the crossbar.
City lost Rodri and Silva after the break, prior to Kepa making a fingertip save to deny De Bruyne his second, while Aguero also hobbled out of the action to join City’s growing injury list.
Ederson made a brilliant flying save to keep out Willian’s drive, though a goal kick was incorrectly awarded, and substitute Mason Mount curled a late free-kick wide before Raheem Sterling had a third for City disallowed for offside by VAR.
What does it mean? City back on track despite injury issues
This was far from a vintage City display as they struggled to dominate possession in their usual fashion, but they did enough to recover from a damaging defeat at Liverpool last time out – their third Premier League loss of the season – though Pep Guardiola may be concerned about Aguero’s injury, in particular. Chelsea slip to fourth, dropping below City, after suffering a first league loss since September.
Mahrez magic decisive
Bernardo Silva’s suspension handed Mahrez a chance to shine and the Algeria winger provided a wonderful winner for City, his first league goal since September coming at the perfect time.
Sterling struggles to impose himself
It was a dramatic international break for Sterling, who was dropped by England for a Euro 2020 qualifier following an altercation with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez. The City forward did not provide enough defensive cover for Mendy on Saturday and was well below his effervescent best in attack, though he would have scored at the death but for a marginal offside call aided by video technology.
What’s next?
Shakhtar Donetsk visit the Etihad in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Chelsea away to Valencia the following day. City go to Newcastle United in the league on Saturday, when Lampard’s side are at home to West Ham.
